about 3 years ago
Hackathon submission and presentation guidelines
We hope your projects are going well! Important information is given below concerning your project submission!
2nd Annual CMU ReImagine Hackathon
Submission Process and Details:
1. Register your team on Devpost. Be sure to include all team members and your Team Name.
2. Submit your project on Devpost by 1:00pm. You must do this to be qualified to compete.
3. You will be assigned a table in Grawn Hall. This is your exhibit area where the judges will come to see you.
4. Set your table up in an attractive way where your team can convey your prototype or other result to the judges. Table set up is between 1:30pm and 3:00pm.
5. Between 1:00 and 3:00, be sure to clean up your workspace, make sure no materials or garbage are left behind. We have wipes and cleaning products if you need to wipe anything down, had spills, etc.
6. We will also have a few mentors available between 1:30 and 3:00 to offer feedback on your presentations or otherwise provide guidance. Check in the atrium and let us know you would like mentor support.
7. Judges will begin promptly at 3:00pm and need to wrap up by 4:15. Have a team mate keep time so that you DO NOT exceed 5 minutes with the judges. They may talk with you together, or stop by independently. We will also have other guests stopping by, so you should get plenty of practice. 5 minutes each is a maximum – 2-minute pitch and 3 minutes Q&A.
8. While judges deliberate you can finish cleaning up your workspace and table – clearing everything to your cars or just your table top.
9. Awards and Dinner will begin around 4:30/4:45 in Grawn Atrium.
10. Photos and clean-up until 6:00pm.
Tips for Success:
1. Review the requirements for entry on the Devpost site and be sure that you know everything that you need to upload by 1:00pm. Give plenty of time.
2. Your final product can consist of multiple ways to showcase your solution. You can use a laptop with a slide show, graphics, etc. You can also have prototypes and/or tri-boards or other visual displays. Be creative with your space. Your visual presentation can help judges grasp a better view and understanding of your solution.
3. You have 3-5 minutes with the judges. We suggest that you keep your pitch/presentation about your solution to 2 minutes. That leaves 2-3 minutes to answer questions and converse with them. If you take longer, you will lose points! Be concise. A suggested framework for your pitch is below.
A successful pitch includes a 90 second to 2-minute pitch, complemented by visuals that support your solution. Your audience needs to understand the following in your presentation:
A. The problem you are addressing – describe it with emotion, add a personal story and/or ask them a question. Help your audience quickly understand the real pain point of the problem you will solve.
B. Introduce yourselves and team name (very quickly)
C. Your solution – what is your solution? How is it better than what currently exists? Use visuals as much as possible.
D. Who wants your solution? – describe the target customer and briefly explain the VALUE that your solution offers to them. Even better, tie it back to the story you use to set the tone of the problem.
E. How can your solution potentially be implemented? If it is more of a visionary idea, and less practical, draw them into a scenario (just imagine a world where……). Let them know that you thought through hos this can be implemented and made available to your target customer.
F. Summarize with the value you bring to solve the problem at hand (with emotion) and why this product and now (your secret sauce).
G. General tips: smile, use direct eye contact, shake hands (or greeting you are comfortable with). Answer questions, but when you don’t know the answer, let them know you do not have an answer today. Offer to get the answer later for them and move on to the next question.
H. Stick to the time limits as the judges have many tables to visit, and have a ton of fun!
Questions?
If you have any questions about the hackathon, please post on the discussion forum.