About the challenge
The Ideathon is a high-energy, innovation-driven competition designed for problem solvers, critical thinkers, and aspiring product leaders. Unlike traditional hackathons, which often focus on technical implementation, an Ideathon emphasizes product thinking, design, and strategic problem-solving, making it accessible to all students—no coding experience required.
Over the weekend, participants will collaborate in teams, develop creative solutions to real-world industry challenges, and present their ideas to a panel of experienced judges from top tech companies, and business leaders. Whether you're passionate about technology, business, sustainability, or social impact, this is your chance to turn ideas into action and compete for prizes!
Why Join the Ideathon?- Real-World Problem Solving – Work on challenges inspired by industry leaders.
- Networking Opportunities – Meet like-minded students, professionals, and mentors.
- Mentorship & Learning – Gain insights from experts in product management, tech, and business.
- Prizes & Recognition – Compete for awards, resume-boosting recognition, and exclusive opportunities.
- Hands-On Collaboration – Build skills in design thinking, teamwork, and strategic execution.
Day 1 - Event Schedule (April 12, 2025)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Team Check-In
Location: HELD 100
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Challenge Prompts Released
Location: Virtual
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Figma Workshop
Location: HELD 100
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch Break for Participants
Location: Dining Area
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Social - GeoGuessr Tournament
Location: HELD 100
7:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Work Block
Location: Virtual
Day 2 - Event Schedule (April 13, 2025)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Team Check-In
Location: Wehner 113
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Brunch Served
Location: Dining Area
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Work Block
Location: Virtual
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Workshop - Atlassian (Professional Development)
Location: Wehner 113
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Work Block
Location: Virtual
5:00 PM
Submissions Due
Location: Devpost
Requirements
Participants will receive a prompt or challenge statement at the kickoff event. Over the next five days, teams will collaborate to develop an innovative solution and create a high-fidelity prototype.
Prototype Requirements- Design a high-fidelity prototype using Figma or another industry-standard design tool (Adobe XD, Sketch, etc.).
- The prototype should clearly demonstrate the core functionality and user experience of the proposed solution.
- Teams are encouraged to be creative and think outside the box.
Each team must submit the following deliverables on Devpost by Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST.
1. Video Presentation (4-5 minutes) – Required- A recorded video walkthrough of the solution and prototype.
- The video should highlight key design choices and explain the problem-solving approach.
- The prototype must be clearly showcased in the video.
- Teams can use screen recordings, voiceovers, or storytelling techniques to present their work.
- A publicly accessible link to the Figma file (or another design tool) containing the final prototype.
- Ensure all contributions from team members are included.
- A brief written explanation of the problem being addressed and how the solution works.
- A summary of the user experience (UX) and design principles applied.
- A list of all team members and their roles.
- Acknowledgments of any references or inspirations for the project.
All submissions must be completed and uploaded to Devpost by Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST.
Late submissions will not be accepted, so teams should plan accordingly and ensure everything is finalized before the deadline.
Prizes
Grand Prize: Amazon Echo
First Place Overall:
One Amazon Echo for each member of the winning team
Runner-Up: Mini Projector
Second Place Overall: one Mini Projector for each member of the winning team
Best UX: $30 Amazon Gift Card
Best UX Design: $100 gift card to be split among members of the respective team.
Best Use of Notion: Anker Speaker
First Place for Notion Sponsor Track: One Anker Speaker per member of the winning team
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Mo Farhat
Google
Kirthivel Ramesh
Microsoft
Ameer Syedibrahim
Neuralink
McKinley Melton
Microsoft
Addy Chauvancy
American Airlines
Judging Criteria
-
Problem Understanding
How well does this team understand the problem? Did they identify and communicate the core pain points accurately? -
Innovation & Creativity
Is the solution creative and innovative? Does it offer a unique perspective or new approach? -
Feasibility
How realistic is the solution? Can it be practically implemented with available resources? -
User-Centric Design
Does the solution prioritize user experience and needs? Is it accessible, intuitive, and user-friendly? -
Strategy & Market Fit
Does the solution align with the market's needs and have a clear value proposition? Does it consider competitors and potential market impact? -
Implementation Plan
Is there a clear and logical roadmap for implementation? Are milestones and priorities well-defined? -
Data & Metrics
Did the team provide relevant metrics or KPIs to measure the success of their solution? -
Presentation & Communication
Is the solution presented in a clear, compelling, and structured manner? Are the visuals and storytelling effective? -
Overall Impact
What is the potential overall impact of the solution? Does it address the problem in a significant way?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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