Help Solve Global Issues Through Entrepreneurship! Get Started at the Social Impact Hackathon and Win $1,000!

Did you know that you can tackle social and environmental issues through entrepreneurship? For-profit startups can reduce carbon emissions, cut waste, improve medical access and much more! If you are looking for a way to address sustainability issues that you care about, you are invited to attend the student-run Social Impact Hackathon from 4 to 11 p.m, Friday, February 23 in Jubilee Hall Atrium, located on the fourth floor.

Sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Club and the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Social Impact Hackathon offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to work in teams to develop startup businesses that align with the sustainability development goals developed by the United Nations. The hackathon will utilize startup team-building exercises and skills workshops that leverage generative AI tools that allow students to quickly form teams and brainstorm startup business ideas that solve pressing world problems. Students will move on to building business models and creating "Shark Tank" type sales pitches. The hackathon will end with the student teams delivering their startup pitches before a panel of distinguished entrepreneur judges who will select a top team to win a $1,000 cash award. Additionally, the winning team will also be fast-tracked to a semi-finalists round in the $1 million Hult Prize Competition.

Seton Hall University’s successful alumni entrepreneurs and Stillman business faculty will provide guidance and inspiration throughout the process, helping students to turn their innovative ideas into potentially viable and sustainable new ventures. The event will also provide students with opportunities to network with important alumni and meet like-minded students who are interested in learning more about entrepreneurship. Food will be served throughout the event.

Stanton Brown, Ed.D., executive director of the Buccino Leadership Institute, will provide a welcome address to kick off the event. Faculty members participating in the Hackathon include Jack Shannon, J.D., professor of legal studies, who will lead a workshop on how students can leverage AI tools and other technology to solve world problems, and Susan Scherreik, M.B.A., and CIE founding director, who brings extensive knowledge in entrepreneurship education to guide students through the intricacies of business development.

Additionally, Father Brian Muzas, assistant professor of diplomacy and international relations, is providing guidance and advice to the Hackathon’s student organizers, who include Stillman entrepreneurs Sid Kapoor, Jerry Ford and Cameron Lloyd. In addition to the Entrepreneurship Club, the Hackathon is supported by an array of other student groups, including the Onboarding Initiative of the Buccino Leadership Institute, the Stillman Marketing Club, the Hall Street Fund, and the Stillman Consult Your Community Club (CYC). 

Hackathon mentors and judges include Sunny Bathla, ’00, M.B.A.’15, senior vice-president at Sonata Software and founder of OSB Co., Alissa Lopez, M.B.A. ’19, product market manager at PulsePoint, and founder and CEO of Family Balance Planner, Tim Aumueller, M.B.A.’08, Co-founder and chief revenue officer at Avidon Health, and Peter Tu, M.B.A.’87, J.D.’94, managing partner at the law offices of Peter Tu.

Students do not need to pre-register for the Hackathon.

For more details, please contact Sid Kapoor or CIE Director Susan Scherreik.

Categories: Business, Education, Nation and World