The Lycée Français de Chicago hosted an internal Start’up Lycée competition in January, where teams developed innovative and sustainable projects in an entrepreneurial approach to achieve United Nation sustainable development goals.
In the end, San Francisco team Life in Lux took home the $1,000 prize for their pitch to create a necklace that screens for illegal substances in beverages.
Other notable pitches included a device that tackles truck driver fatigue to avoid highway fatalities, an app to display healthy options from local restaurants, and mosquito-repellent baby wrap to combat malaria, among others.

After the event, Lycée Français de Chicago President Eric Veteau praised the students for their representation of the Chicago school.
“You were the most amazing ambassadors of our Lycée by showing all your qualities and your openness,” Eric Veteau said. “I particularly appreciated your sense of respect in the competition. You were perfect hosts, and I congratulate you.”
Lycée Français de Chicago Innovation Project Manager Sofian Bettayeb says that the children will have a lasting impact beyond the results on this competition, serving as the foundation for the future.
“The students involved in this hackathon can play a major role in the future of innovation, and we want to stimulate that line of thought,” Sofian said. “For us, it was obvious that kids can bring change by coming together and addressing big global issues through innovative solutions, such as the ones from this event.”