Description:
The GEW 2023 hackathon will take place on the final day of the Global Entrepreneurship Week events organized by AUC CEI. The hackathon will challenge participants to work in teams to develop innovative business ideas that tackle social and environmental issues through an entrepreneurial lens. Participants will be encouraged to apply the themes tackled throughout the week.
After pitching their concepts to a panel of judges, top teams from each track will be selected to move forward. The winning teams will receive cash prizes and support in further developing their ventures from our partners. All participants will gain valuable experience in applying entrepreneurial skills to drive positive change through their innovations.
Tracks
Societal Innovation Track:
Teams will come up with a business concept focused on addressing a social problem in their community. Examples could include solutions for improving access to healthcare, encouraging local MSMEs within the region’s economic fabric, affordable housing, job opportunities for marginalized groups, etc. The ideas should demonstrate a clear social impact along with financial viability.
Environmental Innovation Track:
Teams will develop business ideas centered around environmental sustainability. Examples may include solutions for waste management, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture/farming, green building materials, eco-friendly transportation, etc. The ideas must measurably contribute to reducing the environmental footprint or mitigating climate change impacts.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Attend at least one day of the GEW activities
• Deliverables and the final pitch must be presented in English.
• Teams must consist of at least 2-5 members
Prizes & Awards
Best teams get a chance to win cash prizes up to 2000 USD, classified as follows
• 1000 USD for the best Societal Innovation track team.
• 1000 USD for the best Environmental Innovation track team.
Competition Timeline:
| Applications Open | Sunday, November 12, 2023 11:59 p.m. |
| Training Day and Q&A | Thursday, November 16, 2023 12:00 p.m. AUC Tahrir Campus – Oriental Hall |
| Applications Deadline | Saturday, November 18, 2023 11:59 a.m. |
| Final Judging panel | Sunday, November 19, 2023 12:00 p.m. AUC New Cairo – Innovation Hub |
| Announcement | Sunday, November 19, 2023 04:30 p.m. AUC New Cairo – Innovation Hub |
Presentation Template
Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Excellent (5) | Good (4) | Fair (3) | Poor (2) | Very Poor (1) |
| Innovation | Demonstrates exceptional creativity, originality, and uniqueness in the proposed solution. | Shows a high level of creativity and originality in the proposed solution. | Presents a moderately innovative solution. | Presents a solution with limited innovation or lacks uniqueness. | Lacks innovation and presents a solution that is not distinctive. |
| Feasibility | Provides a detailed and well-supported plan for implementation, considering technical, economic, and practical aspects. | Presents a clear plan for implementation, which considers technical, economic, and practical aspects. | Provides a reasonable plan for implementation but lacks some details. | Presents a plan with significant feasibility gaps. | Fails to provide a feasible plan for implementation. |
| Impact Potential | Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential environmental, social, and economic impact of the proposed solution. Presents a compelling case for high positive impact. | Shows a good understanding of the potential impact of the proposed solution on the environment, society, and the economy. Presents a case for positive impact. | Presents a basic understanding of the potential impact of the proposed solution but lacks depth. | Lacks a clear understanding of the potential impact of the proposed solution. | Fails to address the impact potential of the proposed solution. |
| Scalability | Presents a well-defined strategy for scaling the solution on a broader level, considering market dynamics and growth potential. | Presents a strategy for scaling the solution with consideration for market dynamics and growth potential. | Provides a basic strategy for scaling the solution but lacks some key elements. | Presents a limited or unclear strategy for scaling the solution. | Fails to provide a strategy for scaling the solution. |
| Presentation Skills | Engages the audience effectively, delivers a clear and compelling presentation, and demonstrates excellent communication skills. | Engages the audience, delivers a clear presentation, and demonstrates good communication skills. | Delivers a satisfactory presentation but lacks some clarity and engagement. | Presents a presentation with limited clarity and engagement. | Fails to deliver a clear and engaging presentation. |
| Overall Quality and Impact | Exceptional quality and high potential for real-world impact. | Good quality and potential for real-world impact. | Satisfactory quality and moderate potential for real-world impact. | Limited quality and limited potential for real-world impact. | Poor quality and negligible potential for real-world impact. |