10 - 31 July 2020
Online
Registrations are closed
The University of Queensland (UQ) is bringing together entrepreneurs across the world to help overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19.
As we look to the future, we need to discover new processes to increase response times and decrease disruption. But how do we adjust to a new ever-changing, ever-evolving world? And how can we future proof and prepare for what does not exist?
Amidst the adversity, we find ourselves in a time of reflection. A time where we can regroup and rethink, and the opportunity to rediscover what we need for a sustainable future world.
How it works
Over a three-week period, 10-31 July, teams will be challenged to come up with the next innovative business idea. With support from staff and mentors, teams would have prepared a business model, prototyped and validated their big idea and be ready to deliver their pitch to our experienced panel of judges.
Who can participate
Our Virtual Hackathon will be open to students across all disciplines at UQ and selected university partners.
Participants will have access to entrepreneurial mentors around the world.
Tickets
Tickets are AUD$10 per person and all ticket sales will be donated to UQ’s COVID-19 Research Fund to help our researchers develop a vaccine. UQ is the only Australian organisation tasked by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
Prizes
Students participating in the Virtual Hackathon will be in the running for a share of AUD$10k in prize money:
- First place: AUD$7000
- Second place: AUD$2000
- Third place: AUD$1000
Get your team together
Assemble your team
Choose the hackathon challenge you'd like to tackle and get together with your fellow innovators to form your team. Each team member must register individually and note their team names on registration.
Find your team
Don’t have a team yet but want to join us in solving a critical global challenge? You can register to join our Virtual Hackathon Slack channel to network and meet your future team!
The networking and registrations are now closed.
Challenges
Choose the global challenge your team would like to tackle
Health
Find solutions to improve emergency health crisis response. How can we improve our flexibility, capacity and response time?
Economy
We have seen countries across the world go into recession. How can we mitigate the drastic impacts caused by the events of 2020?
Environment
The environmental impact of COVID-19 has shown how unsustainable business practices are. How can we reduce waste after COVID-19?
Manufacturing
Reliance on the traditional supply chain model has become evident. How can manual handling and labour shortages be overcome?
People
Social distancing has increased feelings of loneliness, depression and fear. How can we overcome disconnection within our society?
Services
Find solutions surrounding public services such as transport, emergency, legal system. How can we improve and manage them for the future?
Employability
We have reached unprecedented unemployment rates especially among young people. How can we future-proof and grow?
Education
From primary school to higher education, online teaching has changed the way we learn. How can we reimagine the education sector for the future?
Event overview
The Virtual Hackathon will run over three weeks during semester break. All times are in AEST.
| Date | Format | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 10 July | 5-7.30pm live stream | Join us live for the Virtual Hackathon kick-off. Keynote speaker to be announced. |
| Monday 13 July | Self-paced | Problem definition and Design Sprint workshop |
| Tuesday 14 or Wednesday 15 July | Time slot allocated | Time for your weekly team check-in with our Ventures staff. |
| Wednesday 15 July | Self-paced | Market Validation workshop |
| Tuesday 14 or Thursday 16 July | Book online | Mentor session: Problem and solution statement |
| Friday 17 July | Time slot allocated | Week 1 milestone: Problem and Solution statement |
At least one team member must be in attendance at all sessions
| Date | Format | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 20 July | Self-paced | Business models and minimal viable products workshop |
| Tuesday 21 July | Time slot allocated | Time for your weekly team check-in with our Ventures staff |
| Tuesday 21 or Thursday 23 July | Book online | Mentoring session: Business Modeling |
| Friday 24 July | Time slot allocated | Week 2 milestone: Business Model |
At least one team member must be in attendance at all sessions
| Date | Format | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 27 July | Live on Zoom | Pitching Q&A |
| Monday 27 or Tuesday 28 July | Book online | Mentor session on pitching |
| Wednesday 29 July | Submit by 12pm | Pitch video submission is due 12pm. Upload to YouTube and include link in the submission form. |
| Friday 31 July | 9am announcement | Judges will reveal their top 5 teams who will pitch in the final. |
| Friday 31 July | 2pm live stream | Top 5 teams pitch live on Zoom followed by the prize ceremony. |
At least one team member must be in attendance at all sessions
Industry Partners
Event contact
For more information about the Virtual Hackathon, contact
Olivia Adlard, Engagement Officer, Intelligence and Engagement, Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship, UQ