The Technology Forum of Delaware will host the 2015 Idea Challenge to demonstrate how new technology, innovation and collaboration can result in new concepts to make Wilmington a better place to live and work.
The one-day event will be held on February 18, 2015 at the Hercules Building in Wilmington.
The 2nd Annual 2015 Idea Challenge will feature competition between five and six-person teams comprised of people with different high-tech skills, according to the Tech Forum.
The teams work together to solve a far-too familiar problem using new technology and creative thinking. Each team is presented the same problem in the afternoon. They then work collaboratively to develop a solution that is presented to the membership of the Technology Forum of Delaware that evening. The concepts will be judged by a panel of experts and the audience.
Each team in this year’s competition will have people with a combination of skills in mobile technology, social media, big data, GIS Systems, eMarketing, IT Security, Digital Printing, Communications, Biotechnology, Software Architecture, Green Energy, Clean Water Technology, lean manufacturing and more.
The teams will address issues of economic growth, personal security, quality of life, traffic, job creation and other issues.
“The Tech Forum is working with Downtown Visions and the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation to define the specific topic for this year’s Challenge,” states George Rotsch, Board Member of the Technology Forum of Delaware.
“We have teams from Startup Delaware and Loft, Wilmington University, and we have at least two teams returning from last year. And, we have space available for people interested in participating on a team” stated Rebecca Faber, also a Board Members of the Technology Forum of Delaware
“Judging the quality of the ideas can be very difficult. The winning concept must be innovative, implementable and make a difference” Faber stated. “The teams leverage the latest technology to create compelling concepts that are inspiring.”
This year, investor Ben DuPont will again lead our panel of judges along with Kjell Hegstad of Digital Viking and the captain from last year’s winning team, entrepreneur John Kirk. Kirk is also president of MUNI, a new business concept gaining momentum.
The winning team will be given a chance to turn their concept into reality. During our 1st Idea Challenge in February 2014, the winning two teams received a grant to further explore their ideas from the City of Wilmington and in February 2015, the winning team will get the opportunity to see their ideas published as well as the opportunity to present their ideas to the Mayor’s office and at the board at Wilmington Renaissance Corporation.
“Attending the 2015 Idea Challenge is exciting. We can see the teams explore potential for technology to enable us to make Wilmington a better place to live and work. Innovative, futuristic solutions can be leveraged to generate really creative solutions. The event will introduce all of us to how these new technologies can make a difference in our community,” states Rick Sommer, President of the Tech Forum.
For more information about the 2015 Idea Challenge, please feel free to talk to George Rotsch at grotsh@trellist.com or Rebecca Faber at rfaber@wtcde.com
The Technology Forum of Delaware is a not-for-profit association that provides a dynamic environment for identifying business opportunities and building profitable relationships with key leaders in high technology businesses throughout the region.
