The 7th Annual Grand Challenge, hosted by the 3D Retail Coalition (3DRC) in partnership with Kalypso and IEEE, is back with a bold new theme for 2025: harnessing the transformative power of data-driven AI and 3D technology to revolutionize the product development lifecycle. This year, we invite visionary minds to push the boundaries of innovation and reimagine how retailers and brands discover, design, make, and sell products.

The Challenge: Revolutionizing Product Development with Data-Driven AI and 3D Innovation

Question posed: How can data driven AI and 3D be used together to revolutionize the product lifecycle?
Discovery: How can data be harnessed to inspire and inform product creation and experiences?
Design & Development: How can AI and 3D work together to iterate smarter, faster, and more creatively?
Simulation & Production: How can advanced simulations and testing optimize manufacturing and bring ideas to life?
Promotion & Sales: How can these technologies create more engaging, personalized, and seamless shopping experiences?

Note: Submissions could be touching any or all of the areas called out

Submission Requirements – to meet the brief, your proposal must:

• Demonstrate how data-driven AI and 3D can inform and enhance each other.
• Focus on creating tangible products and/or consumer experiences.
• Showcase relevance to the apparel, footwear, and accessories industries.
• Deliver real-world value for brands, retailers, and/or consumers.
• Prove feasibility beyond theoretical concepts.

This is your chance to shape the future of product development and leave a lasting impact on the industry. Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

To Qualify:
Eligible entrants must be affiliated with an organization categorized either as a start-up or an academic institution, satisfying the respective criteria outlined below:

Start-up Eligibility
A start-up, as defined for the purposes of this contest, denotes a legally registered organization that satisfies the following prerequisites: (1) it employs fewer than 10 full-time personnel, and (2) it serves fewer than 10 active clients in the retail, footwear, and apparel industry.

Academic Institution Eligibility
An academic or research institution, as defined for the purposes of this contest, denotes a legally registered organization that satisfies the following prerequisites: (1) it possesses an educational mission, (2) it holds non-profit status, and (3) it has obtained formal accreditation from a recognized accrediting body or governance agency.

The Grand Challenge will be open for entry in March 2025.

2023 Challenge: The 3D Digital Revolution in Apparel, Footwear & Accessories

In response to the emergence, adoption and explosive growth of generative AI solutions in the market, we called for creative research and novel solutions with the potential to transform how retailers and brands discover, create, make, and sell new products by harnessing the dual power of Generative AI and 3D Product Creation.