Start Summits
Roux Hackathon Brings Together Students, Faculty, and Staff to Tackle Big Challenges Facing Maine
Roux Hackathon Brings Together Students,…
The Roux Institute at Northeastern University recently held its first campus-wide hackathon, bringing together students, faculty, and staff from various disciplines to tackle challenges facing Maine while cultivating an atmosphere of networking and entrepreneurship.
Do you have a business idea? Curious about entrepreneurship but don’t know where to start? Interested in solving a challenge in your community? Start Summits are open to anyone and everyone, and invite people to collaborate on tech-driven ideas that will solve real issues throughout Maine.
Start Summits operate in partnership with:Â
Designed to transform ideas into prototypes, Start Summits are idea hackathons that support collaboration between curious, driven people from all over Maine.
The Summits are fun and fast-paced events where you’ll experience what it’s like to build a startup team and race to develop a business—all with the support of experts and colleagues and fueled by good food! Plus, cash prizes are awarded to the first and second place teams.
Partner with fellow innovators and community members to tackle a challenge in your community using innovation
Participate in Design Thinking and Pitching101 workshops led by industry experts
Pitch your big idea for the opportunity to win a cash prize!Â
Since our inception in 2020, our mission has focused largely on making a positive impact on Maine’s communities and economy. Through experiential, hands-on programs in higher-education, research, partnership, and entrepreneurship, we’re continually asking ourselves, “what more can we do for Maine?”
You bring the energy and big ideas, and we’ll take care of the rest! Your registration includes summit participation, food, beverage, and swag items.
Duration
Start Summits are 1.5 days in length.
Awards
Cash prizes are awarded to the first and second place teams.
Introduction to Design Thinking Workshop
Prototyping Workshop
Building an End User Profile Workshop
Pitch 101 Workshop
Access to subject-matter experts and mentors
Real-time feedback from judge panelists during pitch competition
Sponsors
Anyone over the age of 18 and interested in startups is welcome and eligible to register for a Start Summit. Students, community members, small business owners, employees of larger businesses, and retirees looking to upskill come together to brainstorm and develop an idea.
You can register to join a team as a full participant or simply join us as an audience member for the pitch competition and networking event.
No. While Start Summits will equip participants with the entrepreneurial tools and resources that can be applied to current or future ventures, teams will not be working on existing startup companies.
While at a Start Summit you can expect meals, light snacks and beverages to be provided throughout the event. We will accommodate those with dietary restrictions, allergies, or religious preferences.
No. Transportation to the event, as well as hotels or lodging, will not be offered. If you are looking to carpool, contact us and we can try to connect you with others from the same area.
