Edge AI Earth Guardians

If you are a winner, we will contact you directly via email to arrange the shipment of your prize.

Participants who receive free hardware and do not submit a project may be ineligible for future giveaways unless the hardware is returned.

If you receive free hardware and become unable to submit a project, please contact us at help@hackster.io and let us know as soon as possible. We may choose to arrange for the hardware to be shipped to another participant.

To be eligible for judging, you must meet ALL of the following requirements unless otherwise stated:

General Requirements

• You must be registered as a participant for this contest.
• Your entry must be your own original work.
• Your entry cannot have been selected as a winner in any other Hackster contest.
• Your team is no more than 5 members per entry.*

*By entering a submission to this contest on behalf of a team, you acknowledge that you are the designated representative authorized to act on behalf of your team. (See full rules below for details)

Hardware Application Requirements

Note: If you choose to submit an application for free hardware (manufacturing voucher by NEXTPCB), you must meet the following requirements. If not, continue to 'Hardware/Software Build Requirements' below.

• Your hardware application must be submitted via the online application form found on the contest page’s “apply for hardware” tab.
• Your hardware application must be written in English.
• Your hardware application must solve a problem related to the contest theme - earth preservation
• Hardware applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

With this voucher, you will receive:

• A $300 no-threshold coupon
• A $200 SMT coupon

Total value: $500

Terms & Conditions:

The $500 coupon is applicable for purchasing 2 PCBA prototypes. The coupon can be used toward PCB fabrication, components, PCBA assembly, and shipping costs. Any costs exceeding $500 will be the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants are responsible for any customs duties or import fees. NextPCB does not cover these charges. The coupon is valid for one-time use only and cannot be combined with other promotions. If additional PCBA units are needed, applicants may cover the remaining cost.

Hardware/Software Build Requirements

• Your project can be created using any technology of your choice.
• Your project must be related to edge ai applications and innovations.

Project Documentation Requirements

• Your project must include a project name, short project description, cover image, bill of materials (BOM), full instructions, images, and relevant resource files (schematics, code, CAD).
• Your project must be written in English.
• Your project must be submitted by Sep 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM PT.

Your project will be judged by a committee based on a rubric that evaluates documentation, innovation, novelty, social impact or commercial potential.

5 finalists will be selected to attend Edge AI Foundation's event for final judging.

• Paid trip to Taiwan to present in November 2025 + $2500 Award

• Paid trip to Taiwan to present in November 2025

• Paid trip to Taiwan to present in November 2025

• Paid trip to Taiwan to present in November 2025

• Paid trip to Taiwan to present in November 2025

Step 1: Register for the Contest

• Start by creating a free account on Hackster.io (or sign-in if already a member).
• Register for the contest by clicking “Register as a participant”.

Step 2: Build and Document Your Project

• Build your project according to the submission requirements.
• Document your project build using Hackster’s project template. To create a new project, click “create new project” on the contest page or the “+” symbol in the top right corner of your Hackster page.

Step 3: Review and submit your project

• Review your project and make sure it meets all the submission requirements.
• Upload a previously created project by clicking “add existing project” on the contest page.
• Submit your project by Sep 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM PT by clicking “review and submit project” on the contest page.

Winners of free devices will be announced individually by email on a rolling basis.

Contest winners will be announced on October 1, 2025. The list of winners will be visible on the main page (Contest brief).

You are eligible to enter if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

• You are at least 13 years of age
  If you are 12 years or younger, you must receive a legal guardian's permission and have them complete Hackster’s contest permission form prior to submitting an entry into this contest. Send any questions to contests@hackster.io.
• You are not a resident of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria
  US export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to the countries listed above, therefore residents of these countries are not eligible to participate in this challenge.
• You are not involved in the execution or administration of this contest.
• You are not an immediate family member or household member of a Hackster employee.