EXTON, PA, June 27, 2025 – As the global infrastructure sector faces workforce shortage, Bentley Systems and Enactus, a global nonprofit student innovation and entrepreneurship, announce the start of the 2025 iTwin4Good Challenge. This competition empowers university students to develop digital twin solutions to help address global infrastructure challenges.
The global infrastructure sector is experiencing a workforce shortage alongside increasing demand for resilient infrastructure. The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Research Institute reports that 49 percent of engineering firms have project backlogs of one year or more. The construction industry is also short by over 400,000 workers, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors.
The iTwin4Good Challenge introduces students to digital technology for addressing social and environmental challenges in infrastructure. The six-week program offers technical training, mentorship from Bentley staff, and an opportunity to get certified as an iTwin Developer Associate. Participants, competing solo or in teams of up to three – use the iTwin platform to develop applications related to societal or environmental impact in their communities.
Challenge Overview
From June through October 2025, students from the U.S., Germany, Canada, the UK and Ireland (competing jointly), and Brazil will participate in national rounds. Top performers will present their solutions to a panel, compete for cash prizes, and advance to a virtual “Champions of Champions” round, with the global winner earning the opportunity to attend the Enactus World Cup 2025 in Bangkok.
“The iTwin4Good Challenge is more than a student competition, it’s a catalyst for change and a strategic investment in the future of infrastructure,” said Chris Bradshaw, chief sustainability and education officer, Bentley Systems. “By engaging young minds in real-world problem-solving and equipping the next generation with digital twin expertise, we’re cultivating talent capable of addressing both today’s infrastructure needs and tomorrow’s sustainability challenges.”
George Tsiatis, president & CEO, Enactus global & resolution Project added, “This partnership exemplifies what we do best – empowering students to tackle real-world challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship. When young people combine cutting-edge technology with purpose-driven action, they don’t just solve today’s problems, they build the foundation for a more sustainable future.”
Through practical work, participants will learn to use digital twin technology, think ‘out of the box’, to address everyday issues. This approach will connect classroom learning and infrastructure invention.
Source: Bentley Systems
About Enactus
Enactus is a nonprofit organization founded in 1975 and headquartered in Springfield, MO. It supports university students in developing entrepreneurial projects focused on addressing social and environmental challenges. The organization operates in sectors related to education, sustainability, and social enterprise, offering experiential learning and skills development. Enactus facilitates mentorship, project-based learning, and competitions where students propose practical solutions for community issues. As of the most recent data, Enactus reports an annual revenue of approximately $23.8 million. The organization’s activities are intended to help students apply business and technical skills in real-world contexts relevant to community development and sustainability-focused industries.
About Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems, founded in 1984, develops software for infrastructure engineering with a focus on supporting the design, construction, and operation of critical assets across transportation, water, energy, urban, and utility sectors. Its solutions are used globally by engineers, architects, constructors, and asset owners across various disciplines and project phases. The company provides integrated tools for modeling, simulation, project delivery, and asset performance management. A key area of focus is enabling digital twins to improve data integration and decision-making throughout the infrastructure lifecycle. Bentley’s software supports workflows across multiple engineering domains, helping users manage complexity and improve the reliability and resilience of infrastructure systems. Headquartered in Exton, PA, Bentley Systems operates in 40 countries with a workforce of around 5,500 employees. It serves approximately 41,000 customers in 190 countries. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the company reported revenues of about $1.4 billion, reflecting its continued role in advancing infrastructure technologies on a global scale.