After a successful launch and impressive influx of skilled applicants, the Digitizing Utilities Prize is back for Round 2! This round of the $1.85 million prize will continue to connect utilities with interdisciplinary teams of software developers and data experts to transform digital systems and data analytics for utilities in the energy sector.
New to this round, competitors will have the opportunity to address cybersecurity threats and risks with demonstrated improvements in risk identification, analysis, prediction, or proactive response for enhanced protection of digital energy infrastructures.
This prize invites competitors to propose software solutions meet challenges in one or both competitor tracks:
Track 1: Utility Digitization/Data Challenge
Track 2: Utility Cybersecurity Challenge
Competitors must identify whether the solution applies to Track 1, Track 2, or both within the application. Applicants who choose to compete in both Track 1 and Track 2 are eligible to receive prizes from both tracks.
Phase 1 – Plan
Competitors will identify a utility partner and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the utility’s presented problem, as well as their ability to access relevant resources that can be leveraged for this prize. The teams will then define their approach and plan of action to solve the issue presented by the partner utility.
Track | # of Winners | Prize Amount |
Track 1: Utility Digitization/Data Challenge | Up to 8 | $75,000 cash prize each |
Track 2: Utility Cybersecurity Challenge | Up to 6 | $75,000 cash prize each |
Sign up today for the Phase 1 Informational Webinar on Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. ET.
Phase 2 – Progress
Competitors will work side-by-side with their selected utility partner on their presented issue for 6 months to develop and refine a software solution that addresses the issues that the utilities are dealing with. At the end of Phase 2, teams will present their progress toward implementing their solution.
Track | # of Winners | Prize Amount |
Track 1: Utility Digitization/Data Challenge | Up to 3 | $200,000 cash prize each |
Track 2: Utility Cybersecurity Challenge | Up to 1 | $200,000 cash prize |
Next Steps
- Follow the Digitizing Utilities Prize Round 2 HeroX page to stay up to date on all announcements, deadlines, and more. (You should follow the Round 2 page even if you’re following the Digitizing Utilities Prize Round 1 page.)
- Sign up for the Phase 1 Informational Webinar on Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. to learn more about the prize, submission requirements, and competitor eligibility.
- Read the Official Rules to learn more about the prize.
Submissions close February 2024.
