The Ideathon is calling all innovators, problem-solvers, and creative thinkers! This isn’t just a competition; it’s a dynamic fusion of talent and ideas where you can team up with passionate individuals from diverse countries and backgrounds. Together, we’ll tackle some of Africa’s most critical issues through groundbreaking machine learning projects.

About the Ideathon

The Ideathon, an initiative by Deep Learning Indaba, launched in 2022 with the goal of fostering connections and collaborations across the African continent. It provides a unique platform for participants to develop and propose innovative research- or application-based machine learning projects.

Who can participate?

We welcome proposals from all Deep Learning Indaba attendees, regardless of your background or expertise. The only requirements are:

  • At least one team member must be based in Africa.
  • At least one team member must attend Deep Learning Indaba 2025 in person.
  • Your project must include a machine learning component.

Your Journey Through the Ideathon 2025

Building on the success of the 2024 edition, the Ideathon 2025 features a refined three-phase structure designed to enhance idea development, mentorship, and project visibility.

1. Before the Indaba:

  • Register Your Interest: Sign up via the link below to get started.
  • Form Your Team: Use the Indaba’s community channels (e.g., Slack) to connect with others. Find collaborators for your research idea or application proposal, or join an existing team.

2. At the Indaba:

  • Gain Inspiration: Hear directly from previous winning teams as they share their insights and experiences.
  • Networking Sessions: Connect with fellow participants and potential teammates in dedicated networking spaces.
  • Expert Mentorship: Receive valuable feedback and guidance from senior attendees to refine and strengthen your proposals.
  • Submit Your Application: Formalize your team and idea by submitting your initial application.

3. After the Indaba:

  • Mentorship & Feedback: Each applicant team will have the opportunity for a dedicated feedback session on their project through the Deep Learning Indaba Mentorship Programme, ahead of final judging.
  • Video Submission: Develop and submit a video showcasing your refined project. These videos will be reviewed by our panel of expert judges.
  • Live Q&A Sessions: Participate in a live online session where you’ll present a shorter pitch and engage in a Q&A with the judges.
  • Winners Announced: Following the Q&A sessions, the winning teams will be officially announced!

Get Involved!

Looking for Inspiration? Check out the incredible projects from our 2024 Ideathon winners here!

Curious About Our History? Read our full Ideathon report to learn more about our journey since 2022.