Tech Industry solves community challenges at Hack for a Cause

Tech Industry solves community challenges at Hack for a Cause

Eugene, OR. – The Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) in the southern Willamette Valley is pleased to announce the 3rd annual Hack for a Cause, April 6th - 8th. The event is a platform for the local tech industry to offer their expertise to solve challenges in the local community and develop next-generation Internet and Smart City technologies.

Entrepreneurs, hackers, makers, developers and students are invited to register, join a team, and compete to solve challenges for a chance at cash prizes and positive community impact. Students and professionals participate side-by-side.

Dozens of challenges were submitted by local businesses, city governments, and civic organizations - looking to leverage technology to provide transformative public benefit. Eleven were chosen.

New this year is a co-sponsorship by US Ignite, in an effort to spur the development of next-generation Internet and Smart City technologies that leverage gigabit Internet networks like Eugene-Springfield’s EUGNet. Leveraging US Ignite’s supportive Reverse Pitch platform, gigabit applications have a place to launch and have the chance to bring transformative benefits to their communities. The nonprofit organization helps to accelerate new wired and wireless networking advances from research to prototype to full-scale smart community and interconnected national and international deployments.

Selected gigabit enabled challenges include Adventure! Children’s Museum, Step into [AR] Comics from the City of Eugene, and a solution for wayfinding the murals that are now canvassed throughout Eugene’s cityscape.

Innovative technological solutions are also sought in support of the NAACP, 15th Night, White Bird Clinic, Parenting Now, Egan Warming Center, Trans*Ponder, and the Emerald Compassionate Action Network.

Last year, Hack for a Cause attracted over a hundred local software developers, students, and digital creatives who wanted to make a positive impact on the community.

Allison Weatherly, Event Manager with the Technology Association of Oregon says “we expect an even larger turnout this year, with bigger results. We have amazing support from the business community to make this weekend event a success. The energy will be high as we work on solutions that provide transformative public benefit to our community.”

Sponsors of the 2018 Hack for a Cause include US Ignite, XS Media, University of Oregon, Lane Workforce Partnership, IDX, CBT Nuggets, SheerID, Mozilla, City of Eugene, Lane County, City of Springfield, KLCC, Downtown Athletic Club, United Way, Sizzle Pie, Cafe Yumm, Eugene Tech and Lunar Logic.

2018 Hack for a Cause Event Details
The Hackathon will take place at the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St, Eugene from April 6-8. Registration is available for participants and observers in advance at https://hackforacause.org Opening ceremonies will begin at 6pm on Friday with a welcome from Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis, keynote speaker Scott Turnbull from US Ignite, and a video highlighting all of the pitches from community advocates on behalf of each challenge. Final presentation and the awards ceremony will begin at noon on Sunday. Tickets are available online now, and will also be sold at the door.

About US Ignite
US Ignite nurtures the creation of next-generation applications and services that run on advanced networks to create Smart Communities throughout the world.  The organization helps to accelerate new wireless advances from research to prototype to full-scale Smart City development. Americans across the country are starting to experience transformative, next-generation applications. Simultaneously, US Ignite is identifying and driving new economic and social opportunities and accelerating the adoption of ultra-fast broadband in communities nationwide. https://www.usignite.org/

About the Technology Association of Oregon

Technology Association of Oregon is a local nonprofit working to build opportunities, better our economy and unify a voice for innovation in Oregon and beyond.  A recognized leader in shaping and growing technology and business communities, TAO empowers businesses and entrepreneurs through networks, events, advocacy, resources and more.  With over 400 member-companies, TAO’s network brings together some of the largest companies in the world, small startups, and tech-enabled companies that are using technology to drive growth and innovation.  https://www.techoregon.org/  

For information related to the 2018 Hack for a Cause event contact Allison Weatherly, Technology Association of Oregon Events Manager,  541-514-7498 or allison.weatherly@techoregon.org