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Clean energy competition

AIRE: Applied Innovation Renewable Energy Competition

Student ideas for a renewable energy future.

The Applied Innovation Renewable Energy (AIRE) Competition is an annual clean energy pitch competition sponsored by Arevon and run with CSUDH student fellows. Teams pitch clean energy ideas for cash prizes, and CSUDH students have taken most of the awards.

Get ready for AIRE 2027
7 of 8prizes won by CSUDH teams in 2026
16teams competed in 2026
$30Kprize pool (2026)

How it works

  1. 1

    Form a team

    Students build teams around a renewable energy problem or idea.

  2. 2

    Develop

    Teams develop and test their idea with support from the AIRE student fellows.

  3. 3

    Compete

    Pitch to judges at the spring competition. The 2027 competition is planned for March.

Details

Who it's for
Students interested in clean energy, sustainability, engineering, or business.
Track record
2025: 15 teams and a $32,000 prize pool, with CSUDH winning 3 of 4 prizes. 2026: 16 teams, with CSUDH winning 7 of 8 prizes ($28,000).
2026 CSUDH winners
Soltanda (1st, $10,000), Solar Safestop (2nd), Anexa (3rd), Charge Gym (Best Prototype), The Legacy Forest Project (Most Creative), BioCharge (Best Display), and The Thermal Anchor (Audience Choice).
Ideas in motion
The 2025 winner, ToroStride, began work on an energy-generating campus floor.
Sponsor
Arevon funds the prizes and a student fellows program.

Coming up

Results

AY 2025-26
Second AIRE competition, Mar 12, 2026: 16 teams, $30,000 prizes; CSUDH won 7 of 8 prizes ($28,000).
AY 2024-25
Inaugural Arevon Innovation in Renewable Energy competition, Apr 15, 2025: 15 teams, $32,000 prize pool; CSUDH won 3 of 4 prizes ($22,000).