Fires caused by e-bike batteries are a challenge that needs bold thinkers and creative solutions. With lithium ion batteries revolutionizing urban transportation, fire safety issues threaten to derail a promising climate-friendly technology. That's why we need you!

​Join us in Brooklyn for a one-day, multi-disciplinary event where your unique skills and ideas can help solve a real-world problem impacting our riders, our cities, and our climate. Hackers will have 3 hours to create a demo + business case based on the Challenge Statements.

​This is not just about brainstorming; it's about building practical, impactful solutions that could save lives, protect homes, and keep clean mobility moving forward. You'll collaborate with other innovators, gain insights from experts, and compete to see your ideas recognized - and maybe even implemented.

​Whether you're into engineering, design, software, policy, finance, or just someone with a passion for solving tough problems, this is your moment to make a difference.

​To attend only the demo portion of the event, please select the "demo only" option when registering, and please plan to attend from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

​Food and beverages will be provided.

​Agenda

• ​12:00 PM – Gather and meet fellow participants
• 12:30 PM – Form teams & receive problem context from industry experts
• 1:00 PM – Hacking begins!
• 4:00 PM – Demo presentations
• 5:00 PM – Judging & winner announcements
• 5:30 PM – Networking & wrap-up

​What to bring: your climate-interested and solutions-focused attitude, your laptop or pen+paper, and your unique skillset.

​Challenge Statements: please see the participant guide

​Deliverables: your team will present a demonstration and business case. More detail on how to format and submit the deliverables will be announced leading up to the event.

​Teams: you can create your team of three at the event, or come with a team already formed.

​Why battery fires? While lithium-ion batteries have numerous benefits, are largely safe, and keep improving, their rapid adoption throughout the city poses a new type of risk. As of October in 2024, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have killed five people and injured 91 in New York City and it's top-of-mind for fire safety professionals. Indeed, FDNY held a symposium on this issue in October 2024.

​And how is this related to Climate Change? Electric, low-carbon mobility solutions have an important role in a clean energy future, but they have to remain viable and effective along the way.

​Event partners:

​Newlab https://www.newlab.com/

​NineDot Energy https://nine.energy/

​Popwheels https://www.popwheels.club/

​Swobbee https://swobbee.com/

​Interested in sponsoring this hackathon, have an idea for the Challenge Statements, or want to help in some other way? Reach out to danbakke1@gmail.com

• Execution & Technical Build (30%)
  How well did the team execute their idea? Did they build a tangible product that showcases the idea well?
• Impact & Feasibility (30%)
  Will your solution mitigate the harmful impacts of battery fires? Is there a clear path to implementation?
• Innovation (20%)
  How creative and novel is your solution?
• Presentation (20%)
  Is your solution clearly communicated and demonstrated?