Courses
Atlantic Technological University to host global finals of Invent for the Planet 2026
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway will host the World Finals of Invent for the Planet (IFTP) 2026, welcoming top student teams from across the globe for a unique international innovation challenge from May 8th to 12th. This is only the second time ever that the event has been held outside of Texas.
The event will see ATU hosting teams from the United States, Lebanon, Mexico, Jordan and Brazil, as well as Ireland.
Invent for the Planet, led by Texas A&M University, is a 48-hour intensive design experience where multidisciplinary student teams work on real-world challenges, developing solutions that combine engineering, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
ATU has been participating in the global competition since 2022 and has taken an inclusive approach by opening the Irish event to students from across the country, creating one team that represents Ireland at the international stage.
ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn said, “ATU has been participating in the Invent for the Planet global competition since 2022, and it is an honour and privilege to host the global finals in 2026. We have consistently taken an inclusive approach to this event, involving teams of students from all over Ireland, since it is only through working collectively together that the big challenges of our time will be solved. This type of engaged, entrepreneurial innovation also chimes well with our own values and strategic plan.
I want to recognise and thank all our sponsors and supporters, including the Marine Institute, Bórd Iascaigh Mhara and AMCS, and to salute the local organising group for all their work.”
Seven finalist teams will travel to Galway to present their solutions, representing:
- Ireland (joint team across multiple universities – Team Connect)
- Lebanon – Lebanese American University
- Jordan – Al Hussein Technical University
- United States – Texas A&M University (including HydroOptix team)
- Mexico – Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida
- Brazil – Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo
The projects reflect a wide range of global challenges, from sustainable materials to food systems and circular economy solutions.
Representing Ireland, Team Connect, winners of the Irish leg of IFTP 2026, will compete for the world title during the finals on May 11th. Their solution, WasteLess, focuses on reducing household food waste through a smart, user-focused digital platform.
WasteLess is a food waste prevention app that gives households greater visibility and control over the food they purchase and store. The app allows users to track expiry dates, manage home inventory, and generate recipes based on ingredients that need to be used first. By connecting purchasing information with real-time household data, the system helps users anticipate and prevent waste before it happens.
The team shared:
“Our goal was to show that living sustainably should be easy. With WasteLess, we help households use what they already have and reduce waste before it happens.”
From the United States, the HydroOptix team developed a smart closed-loop system to improve water efficiency in data centres. By continuously monitoring, recovering, and reusing water used in cooling systems, the solution reduces waste while supporting the growing demand driven by AI technologies.
Reflecting on their experience, the team highlighted the intensity and impact of the challenge:
“It’s impressive what can be achieved in 48 hours. We came in as individuals and left as a team, learning how to collaborate, adapt, and build something meaningful under pressure.”
Team Yucatextile from Mexico developed a circular economy approach to textile waste, transforming discarded materials into reusable resources for local communities.
“Participating in Invent for the Planet has been a transformative experience. It challenged us to think beyond the classroom and develop a solution with real-world impact.”
From Brazil, a team from Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) designed an intelligent refrigerated “smart drawer” system to reduce food waste in supermarkets by using AI to monitor product conditions and improve stock management.
“We learned to plan, adapt, and turn challenges into solutions while building something meaningful as a team.”
From Lebanon, the team from Lebanese American University developed TerraCell, a low-cost modular storage solution designed to reduce post-harvest losses in areas without access to refrigeration.
“The experience showed us how engineering, sustainability, and practical thinking can come together to solve real community challenges.”
The finals will culminate on Monday, May 11th, with a public showcase and final pitches, where teams will present their solutions to an international panel of judges from industry and academia.
The event builds on the strong success of the Irish programme in recent years. In 2025, the winning Irish team developed an innovative plastic brick prototype designed to support sustainable housing in developing regions.
Supported by partners including the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), and AMCS, the programme continues to connect students with real industry challenges, ensuring solutions are grounded in practical need.
Invent for the Planet continues to grow globally, with participation from over 50 universities, reinforcing its role as a leading model for innovation-driven education and student entrepreneurship.
Photo caption: HydroOptix Team: Texas A&M University who will be on of the teams taking part in Invent for the Planet event at ATU’s Galway campus.
For media enquiries, contact:
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: 086 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie
