SUU Startup Announces First-Ever “Makeathon” Entrepreneurship Event
Published: October 28, 2022 | Author: Ellie Wheeler | Read Time: 2 minutes
Southern Utah University Startup announces the first-ever “Makeathon” event designed for those who enjoy innovating with a team and the challenge of finding solutions to problems. If you have a product idea that could be turned into a business, or enjoy being creative under pressure, this two-day event provides an opportunity to focus and have some fun.
In partnership with State Bank of Southern Utah, Leavitt Group and the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center (CCBIC), the Makeathon competition is taking place just down the road from Southwest Technical College's main campus at the CCBIC on Nov. 4-5. The application to enter the competition will remain open until Nov. 3 and can be found at this link.
“We’re excited to host this new competition and see what the innovative minds in our area come up with,” said Craig Isom, director, accelerating innovators at SUU Startup. “Contestants have the chance to win $5,000 in cash prizes, along with receiving mentorship and other resources to continue their designs.”
The contest itself is patterned after a standard marathon in terms of the mental exertion required. Teams of two to five people will spend 24 hours non-stop beginning Friday afternoon coming up with a viable solution to a real-world problem. Each team will be attempting to craft a solution to the same problem.
Specific details of the challenge presented to contestants will be kept secret until the competition actually begins, ensuring a fair contest for all. Dinner for Makeathon participants will be provided on Friday night, along with breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
SSUU Startup aims to be a resource for connecting entrepreneurs to prototyping opportunities, entrepreneurial mentors, conference and brainstorming rooms, studios and production equipment, 3-D printers and shared office space. The CCBIC is one SUU Startup partner that offers many resources for local entrepreneurs of all ages. With onsite trainings and classes, ranging from medical (such as CPR) to software (including Quickbooks), the CCBIC makerspace is designed to help turn ideas and concepts into legitimate prototypes and businesses. More information about SUU Startup can be found at suu.edu/startup, including the ability to schedule tours of the CCBIC and reserve equipment and conference rooms.
Tags: Entrepreneurship Startup School of Business