The Innovation Challenge

Ever have a great idea for a mobile/iPad app, but you didn’t know how to make it a reality? This fall, UNT students can team up (with a faculty mentor) to figure out and present the details:

What would this app do (and not do)?
Who would use it?
Why do they need it?
Does anyone else offer an app like it?
What impact could this have on people’s lives?

The Innovation Challenge will allow UNT’s student teams to refine and present their ideas to business and nonprofit leaders from across the Metroplex. Teams will have access to Dallas Startup Weekend activities at Alcatel-Lucent, which means you’ll have an opportunity to network with business and technology industry leaders.

iPad 2s will be awarded to teams judged to have the best innovation plan for an app.

Friday, November 18th - Dallas Startup Weekend

5:30-6:00pm

Registration and networking. A cash bar will be available for beverages. (Soda and alcohol for 21+)

6:00-7:00pm

Presentations. (Dallas Startup Weekend Speakers)

7pm

Pitches from regional startups.

Saturday, November 19th - The Innovation Challenge, sponsored by UNT and Alcatel-Lucent

8:00-9:00am

Continental breakfast provided by Alcatel-Lucent

9:20-10:20am

Team presentations in the following order:

Educate Me: Benjamin Graf, Bo Han, Nicole Hauch and Christopher Ryan
Apptastic Labs: Brett McCormick, Kyle Taylor
Avatar: Yujin Choi, Ran Huang

10:20-10:40am

Break

10:40-11:40am

Team presentations in the following order:

FunNECT: Samu Chakki, Yiwen Wan, Michael Wang
Handicap Accessible Route: Eduardo Espinola, Jennifer Jennings, Joy Moonan, and Natalia Padilla
Sleep Diary: Jade Francetich, David Reichenberger

11:40-12:30am

Lunch provided by Alcatel-Lucent; Judges discuss scores and identify winning team

12:30-1:00pm

Presentation of Awards

Sunday, November 20

5:00pm

Observe and Have Fun. Everyone is welcome to return to the Gravity Center to observe the final pitch competition for the startup weekend.

Team: Handicap Accessible Route

Jennifer Jennings, Eduardo Espinola, Joy Moonan
and Natalia Padilla

Team: FunNECT

Yiwen Wan, Samu Chakki, Michael Wang, Edward Li

Team: Educate Me

Benjamin Graf, Bo Han, Nicole Hauch and Christopher Ryan

Team: Avatar

Ran Huang, Yujin Choi

Team: Apptastic Labs

Brett McCormick, Kyle Taylor

Team: Sleep Diary

David Reichenberger, Jade Francetich

Can a student affiliated with any UNT major and/or department participate, or only those in CAS?

Students studying within any program at UNT, undergraduate or graduate, are welcome to participate! Students do not have to be affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences.

Can I still join a team?

Possibly! Check with members of the team you wish to join. Or, send us an email and we'll pass along your request to the team.