Recognition Hong Kong
Third place at the ACTION 2025 roadshow in Hong Kong
HydroBeetle’s first result outside the lab. The competition asked students across Asia for ways to protect people’s health as the climate changes.
On 20 October 2025, HydroBeetle placed third at the ACTION 2025 roadshow in Hong Kong, as one of five finalist teams.
What ACTION is
ACTION is short for Asian Climate-SDG Technology Innovation HackathOn. Its first edition asked university students across Asia for new ways to protect people’s health as the climate changes.
It was organised by Tsinghua University, the University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore, with support from the World Meteorological Organization and the World Health Organization.
“A roadshow held in Hong Kong on October 20th marked a significant transition—from an academic competition to real-world implementation.”
The road to Hong Kong
The competition opened in May 2025. More than 40 proposals came in from 14 universities. Twelve teams reached the semi-final in August, and each was given a mentor.
After an online defence on 22 September, five teams went through to the final round. HydroBeetle, entering from the University of Tokyo, was one of them.
What it meant for HydroBeetle
In October 2025, HydroBeetle was three months old and had two early prototypes. This was its first result outside the lab.
It also opened the next stage. Every finalist team was invited to present at COP30 in Brazil the month after.
Timeline
- May 2025The competition opens.
- August 2025Twelve teams reach the semi-final.
- 22 September 2025Online defence. Five finalists.
- 20 October 2025Roadshow in Hong Kong. Third place.
