Innovation Challenge Bootcamp 2025 – The American University of Kurdistan

The Innovation Challenge Bootcamp 2025, organized by the Center for Academic and Professional Advancement (CAPA) at the American University of Kurdistan (AUK), brought together 42 students, alumni, and young professionals from across Iraq. Over the course of two weeks, from August 2 to August 9, participants collaborated on six interdisciplinary teams focused on the sectors of GreenTech, EdTech, TourismTech, AgriTech, FinTech, and HealthTech to develop innovative, technology-driven start-up solutions to real-world challenges.

The program culminated in the Innovation Challenge Bootcamp PitchFest 2025, held on August 10, 2025. Each team presented its Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to a distinguished panel of judges, including Shwan A. Qaradaghi, Managing Director at 51 Labs; Dr. Muhamad Salam, CEO and Founder of Meraki Ventures; Rawshan Atrooshi, Country Director of VNG International; and Nali Bahaulddin, Economic Officer at the Netherlands Consulate General.

Teams, Challenges, and Solutions

The winning AgriTech team developed MooTag, an innovative livestock identification and health monitoring solution for farmers in the Kurdistan Region. The team tackled a pressing problem in the cattle sector: the lack of accurate monitoring systems for livestock health and vaccination, which often leads to preventable losses and lower productivity.

MooTag combines durable ear tags with built-in biosensors and a digital record-keeping system, enabling farmers to monitor the health of their cattle in real time. This solution empowers farmers with actionable data to ensure timely vaccinations, improve dairy and meat quality, and enhance the overall sustainability of livestock farming in the community.

The second place EdTech team focused on addressing the gap in communication between parents and teachers by creating a digital platform that allows parents to track student progress, interact seamlessly with educators, and receive timely updates about school activities and performance.

The third place FinTech team developed a mobile application aimed at increasing financial literacy among students with tools to manage their finances, access scholarship and internship opportunities, and develop financial independence.

The GreenTech team designed a sustainable and environmentally friendly air conditioning system to address the lack of clean and efficient cooling solutions. Using algae as a natural filter to reduce CO2 and solar panels as a renewable energy source, the team created an innovative cooling solution that is both effective and eco-friendly.
The HealthTech team tackled a critical healthcare challenge: patients often struggle to find the right medication at the right time due to pharmacy stock-outs and limited accessibility.

The team developed a mobile application that identifies the exact medicine and the nearest pharmacy, ensuring patients receive their required treatments promptly.

The TourismTech team addressed the difficulty tourists face in navigating Kurdistan due to a lack of centralized information on destinations and activities. Their solution was a comprehensive platform offering curated tourism packages, recommendations, and travel guidance to enhance visitors’ experiences.
The first, second, and third place teams received $1,000, $500, and $300, respectively, to assist them in the development of their products. Additionally, all six teams received access to Impact Duhok, a new co-working space that provides expert mentorship and specialized workshops, and is located on the campus of AUK.