Innovare Summit @ Columbia University

Students devise practical business, systems engineering, product-based, or software solutions to issues pertaining to global health crises. First place wins an initial 5,000 USD categorical grant to work on their idea at We Kids United (https://www.wekids-haiti.com/) as a project manager. Provided guidance from regional board directors and receive compounding semesterly funding (corporate sponsors, fundraised capital, donations, etc). Pitch your idea to industry experts and make your project a practical reality. You can later grow this into your own independent social enterprise.

Tiered Recognition within a private Global Competition of over 300 annual, international submissions. Highest Honor (Top 1%); Excellence Award (Top 2.5%) High Merit Award (Top 5%); Distinction Honors (Top 10%); Commendation Honors (Top 25%). Participation certificates also provided. Also providing awards specific to creativity and sustainability: Creative Entrepreneurial Award; Sustainable Entrepreneurship Award.

One day conference. You may begin the moment you submit the google form and confirm that at least one of the team members are able to attend the physical conference. The Paper Submission (Business Plan with SWOT Analysis) will be due October 19th 11:59pm. You may also pre-submit any presentations you may use on the day of. This physical event at Columbia is 100% Free. No lunch will be provided on the day of. Bring your own or grab lunch with new friends or with your team.

The precise event date is Saturday, January 24th starting 9AM ending 5pm. Precise on campus locations will be provided two days prior along with your presentation timeslots. Potential follow-up submissions to the global rounds will be due January 1st. You can spend the interval on improving your original submission and for re-evaluation. Please make just one submission per team. Teams may be between 1-4 individuals. Physical prototypes aren't necessary and won't weigh into judging consideration (unless it's a software based solution) -- this is a concept focused conference.

Rubric: Innovare Summit Hackathon Official Rubric

Sample Paper: Innovare Summit Hackathon Sample Paper

Day of Logistics: Innovare Summit Hackathon Itinerary

Host or Publisher Adhitya Vasudevan