OUTCOME
12 Days, 89 Submitted Projects, 14 Prizes, All Winners
Thanks to the 600+ amazing USC- and UCLA-affiliated individuals across Los Angeles (and the world) who joined us to Hack for Hope. The organizing team feels so privileged to have been part of this event.
What was the #HackforHope? It’s an online hackathon whose only essential rules of qualification are that a minimum of one USC or UCLA-affiliated person be on each team, and that people join with a desire to connect and contribute something positive and good.
Hack for Hope offers technical and non-technical, USC- and UCLA-affiliated students, faculty, staff, and alumni (and friends and family members with an interest) the opportunity to address critical challenges created by COVID-19.
OVERVIEW
We are creating an online space that can bring problem-solvers, creators, developers, and great minds together, even if apart. Social distancing and work-from-home policies may help to “flatten the curve,” but they can only go so far. There are heroes in our midst – those who, by choice or necessity, continue to heal, to help, to deliver, to care-take, to be out in a world where they might feel vulnerable. Let’s help them. And let’s also acknowledge that social isolation is, in itself, a challenge. Let’s think, experiment, and build solutions to help.
Tracks
Participants chose one of two tracks:
Track 1 - Hack For Now: A solving sprint for those interested in delivering hope immediately. Choose a problem to solve – one that you identify or one brought to us by someone in the community. Then, build a prototype, iterating over two weeks to get quickly from idea to useful function. Track 1 teams can choose to be assigned a product manager from Project Managers Association of LA (PMA.LA) with real-world experience – here to help you help others.
Final deliverable: a 2-minute video that shows and explains a team-built solution ready for immediate production or deployment
Track 2 - Hack For The Future: A fast walk into the future for those interested in building solutions and providing hope for the post-COVID-19 world. Envision what our society and economy will look like as we emerge from our current reality into a new normal, identifying a startup opportunity that addresses new needs.
Final deliverable: a 2-minute video pitch and deck that allows us to share your vision
THEMES
Health and Wellness feel different today than even a few weeks ago, as we collectively focus on protecting not solely ourselves, but also those who are most at risk (including, notably, those on the front lines). How can we help with issues of COVID prevention, diagnosis, containment, or tracing?
Small and Larger Businesses are exploring ways to collaborate effectively, accelerate their digital transformation, and remain competitive. What can we do to help business owners be more successful?
Communication and Connections are central to keeping our families and communities together in a time of isolation. How do we strengthen the authentic social bonds that help people be mentally healthy?
Online Education is new and daunting for the teachers, administrators, students, parents, guardians, and others who are all learning together -- apart. How can we ease the transition, providing educational continuity and perhaps a dose of fun?
Entertainment is a proven source of solace and distraction when safer at home, but even “Tiger King” doesn’t last forever. What can people do when the Netflix and Prime Video options run out?
Vulnerable Populations have fewer resources with which to battle this new foe? How can we help those who are most alone or most endangered gain access to the resources and information they need?
What other urgent problems do you believe you can solve? Feel empowered to get creative!
COMPETITION TIMELINE
4/03 6:00 AM PST Registration opens on Devpost
4/06 6:00 PM PST Welcome Walkthrough
4/06 6:00 PM PST Project submissions open on Devpost
4/07 6:00 PM PST Second Welcome Walkthrough
4/08 6:00 PM PST Opening Ceremony
4/18 9:00 AM PST Deadline to submit projects and 2-minute video walkthroughs
4/20 6:00 PM PST Highlighted projects will be announced
#HackForHope
Eligibility
Your team MUST include at least one Devpost-registered USC or UCLA affiliated student, faculty, staff or alumni member with a verifiable .edu email address.
Participants must be 18+ years of age.
Requirements
Submission Requirements
TRACK 1 – “HACK FOR NOW” SUBMISSIONS |
|
VIDEO |
A walkthrough of problem, solution (note utilized product design tools), inspiration, “next step” needs (include cost), projected production/implementation timeline, and team (must reference those with USC or UCLA affiliations). Upload to Vimeo or YouTube, posting URL to your Devpost project page. |
PROTOTYPE |
An interactive website mockup or mobile app, or a working product coded by your team for this competition. A judge should be able to understand how the product functions without explanation additional to that in the video. Upload to Devpost project page. |
TEAM REGISTRATION FORM |
If you haven’t yet filled out a Team Registration form HERE, note that it is required for submission. Within, note you must identify those on your team with USC and/or UCLA affiliations; include their @usc.edu or @ucla.edu email addresses for verification purposes. |
DEVPOST |
• Your team’s VIDEO link and PROTOTYPE must both be uploaded to Devpost by April 18, 9:00 AM Pacific Time. • Make sure to answer to read Devpost’s privacy policy and answer all Devpost questions. |
Additional |
• If you have GitHub or other code repository links, ensure they are public, so judges can review. • Do not embed any files. Use the other links in the submission form for extra files. • Videos of more than 2 minutes and decks of more than 12 slides will not be considered. • If your project can’t be functionally launched prior to January 2021, submit for the “Future” instead of “Now.” • You must provide us the USC or UCLA affiliated individual email (usc.edu or ucla.edu) as part of your complete submission for the Hack For Hope. (Note: Alumni should be able to secure usc.edu or ucla.edu email addresses, or proof of graduation.) |
TRACK 2 – “HACK FOR THE FUTURE” SUBMISSIONS |
|
VIDEO |
A walkthrough of problem, solution (include environmental/social impact), target consumer, value proposition / benefits, distribution, “next step” needs, and team (must reference those with USC or UCLA affiliations). Upload to Vimeo or YouTube, posting URL to your Devpost project page. |
DECK |
A .pdf file with ≤12 slides, elaborating on your video. Include problem, solution, & value proposition; impact description (environmental/social); market overview with projected demand; cost & revenue model; competitive analysis; and team description (must reference those with USC or UCLA affiliations). Upload to your Devpost project page. |
TEAM REGISTRATION FORM |
If you haven’t yet filled out a Team Registration form HERE, note that it is required for submission. Within, note you must identify those on your team with USC and/or UCLA affiliations; include their @usc.edu or @ucla.edu email addresses for verification purposes. |
DEVPOST |
• Your team’s VIDEO link and PROTOTYPE must both be uploaded to Devpost by April 18, 9:00 AM Pacific Time. • Make sure to answer to read Devpost’s privacy policy and answer all Devpost questions. |
Additional |
|
Note: You acknowledge, in submitting files, that your video may be used to promote the Hack for Hope Hackathon globally.
Prizes
$32,500 in prizes
Gold Metal
$10,000 to support prototype completion, proof-of-concept work, or community outreach related to COVID-19 – the latter to include, for example:
• Meals for front-line healthcare workers at each school’s health system, provided by university-supporting restaurants/caterers hit hard by work-from-home measures
• Support for university workers unable to work due to the crisis
• Financial aid for students at each school who need extra support at this time
Silver Medal
(2)
$5,000 to support prototype completion, proof-of-concept work, or community outreach related to COVID-19 – the latter to include, for example:
• Meals for front-line healthcare workers at each school’s health system, provided by university-supporting restaurants/caterers hit hard by work-from-home measures
• Support for university workers unable to work due to the crisis
• Financial aid for students at each school who need extra support at this time
Bronze Medal
(5)
$2,500 to support prototype completion, proof-of-concept work, or community outreach related to COVID-19 – the latter to include, for example: • Meals for front-line healthcare workers at each school’s health system, provided by university-supporting restaurants/caterers hit hard by work-from-home measures • Support for university workers unable to work due to the crisis • Financial aid for students at each school who need extra support at this time
Judges Choice
(6)
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges

Jen Prince
Managing Director - Twitter

Minnie Ingersoll
Partner -TenOneTen Ventures

Michael Rivera
CEO, Association for Corporate Growth

Scott McRoskey
Product Manager - Amazon/Twitch

Kara Weber
President - Brud

Taj Ahmad-Eldridge
Senior Director for Investment - LACI

Elaine Russell
Investor - Greycroft

Laurent Grill
Investment Partner - Luma Launch

Stephanie Hannon
Core Team - U.S. Digital Response

Amiah Sheppard
Investor - Backstage Capital
Judging Criteria
-
Speed
How quickly can a solution be implemented? -
Impact
How profound and positive a difference can the solution make? -
Feasibility
Can the proposed solution be built and implemented? -
Scalability
How easily can this solution be distributed to many? -
Innovativeness
The proposed solution is unique in a way that will support its ability to be implemented and adopted.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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