The BIG IDEAS Hackathon is an interactive, hands-on experience that will enable students and post-docs to build, validate and launch innovative projects over the course of a weekend. Teams that wish to continue on with their projects will have the opportunity to pitch for up to $10,000 in innovation grants!

All UCalgary members are welcome to participate! Whether you have an existing idea or not, we invite you to join us for this memorable experience. Throughout the course of the weekend, you’ll work with a team and coaches to validate an innovative idea and develop a prototype. You’ll present your project on Saturday evening to a panel of advisors who will help you identify the next steps to take.

Register now

Looking for more? Attend the IDEASTORM on March 28 (5-8 p.m.) to participate in interesting conversations related to the Innovation Reactor challenges. All UCalgary members are welcome to participate and can register here.

BIG IDEAS Hackathon Schedule

Friday, April 6, 2018

5:00pm to 5:15pm – Dinner provided
5:15pm to 5:30pm – Introductory remarks
5:30pm to 5:45pm – Teams recruit free agents
5:45pm to 6:45pm – Designing for the best version of your idea
6:45pm to 8:00pm – Teams work on ideas
8:00pm – End of day

Saturday, April 7, 2018

8:30am to 9:00am – Breakfast provided
9:00am to 10:00am – Developing your technology
10:00am to 12:00pm – Teams work on projects
12:00pm to 1:00pm – Lunch provided
1:00pm to 2:00pm – How to attract support to your idea
2:00pm to 4:00pm – Teams work on projects
4:00pm to 5:00pm – Project presentations
5:00pm to 5:15pm – Judges deliberate
5:15pm to 6:00pm – Closing remarks
6:00pm to 7:00pm – Networking

Innovation Reactor Themes:

• Human Dynamics in a Changing World: How do we develop in a rapidly changing world to ensure our security and quality of life?
• Energy and Environment Innovation for The Future: How do we move towards a low carbon energy system and resolve climate and other environmental issues?
• Solutions for Health: What new technologies and approaches could we create to improve the lives of those impacted by health issues?
• Our Digital Future: How do we address the social, technical and even evolutionary issues in the digital age?
• Wild card challenge(s) of your own definition!
• And other challenges through the year!