Turn your ideas into reality with the Digital Society Lab Hack

Do you have an idea for an app that could benefit society? If you’re looking for the technical support and mentorship to make it happen, the Digital Society Lab (DSL) Hack is here to help.

The week-long hackathon next month will give budding social entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop their ideas into a pitch. The best pitch will take home $1,000, along with an invitation to work with the DSL to develop it into an actual product.

The hackathon is a free, beginner-friendly, code-optional competition running from Jan. 25 to Jan. 31. The hybrid event includes workshops and mentorship opportunities, and is open to McMaster students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and alumni from any discipline.

The competition is designed to remove barriers to digital social entrepreneurship and to identify exciting, original ideas for digital products that tackle important social problems, says DSL director Clifton van der Linden, an associate professor in the department of Political Science.

“We’re launching this hackathon because we believe that there are people from non-technical backgrounds who have innovative ideas to improve society, but don’t necessarily have the technical skills to put them into reality,” van der Linden says.
“If you’re the type of person who doesn’t think a traditional hackathon is for you, we want to hear from you!”

The hackathon will begin with a prompt about using digital technology for social impact. Throughout the week, participants will have access to workshops and mentorship to help refine their idea as they follow the prompt.

By the final day, they will submit a video presentation pitching their idea for judging. Finalists will be called upon to do a live presentation, showcasing their hard work.

The winner will receive $1,000 and an opportunity to develop their idea into a product with the DSL’s web development team.

Second place will receive $500, and third place will net $250.

Participants can compete as individuals or in teams of up to four members. There is no requirement to know any coding or have any tech skills.

Hackathon events will be online with optional in-person components. Participants’ pitches will be judged based on creativity, impact, scalability, and presentation.

Applications are open until Jan. 10. Learn more and register at the DSL website.