Welcome!
The first event of PowerUpTech 2024, the Tech Design Challenge brings together interns from across WNY to engage in friendly competition, using tech and business skills to design solutions to challenges presented by three local non-profit partners: The Buffalo History Museum, Journey's End Refugee Services, and the Good Neighbor Fund.
Event Schedule
Day 1 Agenda
8:00AM – 9:00AM | Registration, M&T Tech Hub and Seneca One Lobby
Check in, networking, light breakfast
9:00 – 9:45AM | Opening Presentation, Seneca One Auditorium
9:45AM – 10:00AM | Head to 14th Floor
Find your team, select challenge
10:30AM | Deadline to submit challenge selection form
10:30AM – 12:00PM | Work time
12:00PM – 1:00PM | Lunch
1:00PM – 5:00PM | Work time
3:00PM – 3:30PM | Fireside Tech Chat #1 (optional)
Speaker: Justin Del Vecchio, Canisius University
Topic: Generative AI
Day 2 Agenda
8:00AM – 11:30AM | Work time
Head directly to 14th floor when you arrive
11:30AM | Deadline to submit your project on Devpost
11:30AM – 12:30PM | Lunch
12:30 – 1:30PM | Prepare for judging and practice your presentation
1:30 – 3:00PM | Expo and Judging
2:00 – 2:30PM | Fireside Tech Chat #2 (optional)
Speakers: Andy Rose, dPost & Ijnne Amatul-Nafi, TechBuffalo
Topic: Tech and Creative Industries
3:15 – 3:45PM | Fireside Tech Chat #3 (optional)
Speaker: Melissa Garrido, Ingram Micro & Cydney Sanders, TechBuffalo
Topic: Women in Tech Network
3:00 – 4:00PM | Judge Deliberations
4:15 – 5:00PM | Awards Presentation, Seneca One Auditorium
Requirements
What to Build
- Visual mockup or prototype of your solution to demonstrate the basic functionality and user interactions. Use Figma, Canva, or another design software.
What to Submit
- Description of the following:
- A demo, including a description of the working functionaily of the product
- How technologists might code or program this solution (if you have time or want to develop code, you must use a GitHub repository and include this in your submission)
- How users might interact with the software
- How non-profit partners might market this solution
- How non-profit partners might finance this solution
- Presentation details: Team name, names of teammates, the challenge statement you chose, and mentors you worked with (at least 2)
Prizes
Beats Headphones
All team members will receive a pair of Beats Headphones.
Marshall Speaker
All team members will receive a Marshall speaker
Amazon Echo
All team members will receive a Sony PlayStation Classic
Spot Coffe Gift Card
All team members will receive a $50 gift card to Spot Coffee.
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Frank Gullo
CTO/Aleron Inc.
Jenna Kavanaugh
Economic Development/National Grid
Stephen Cross
CIO/Merchants Insurance Group
Kevin Cleary
Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of the MS MIS Program/SUNY Buffalo
Ekua Mends-Aidoo
President/Clementine Gold Group
Michelle Andhor
VP Product Management/OneBridge Benefits
Lynne Thornton
SVP of Channel Activation/JS Group
Mike Moskal
Sr. Vice President/CUBRC
Alan Hunt
Professor of Practice/SUNY Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Judging Criteria
-
Impact and Feasibility
Your project demonstrates a clear and substantial impact on the problem statement and is highly feasable to implement. -
Innovation and Creativity
Your project exhibits exceptional creativity and innovation in its approach, concept, and technology. -
Presentation and Communication
The presentation is exceptionally clear, engaging, and well-structured. The team presents confidently and effectively explains their project, including to non-technical judges. -
Potential for Future Development
Your project has clear potential for future development and expansion. -
Solution Execution
Your project demonstrates a high level of proficiency in design and has comprehensive user implementaion, marketing, and financial strategies.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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