‘Idea Challenge’ asks civic-minded technologists to give Delaware a boost

The second annual Idea Challenge, a tech competition for teams of five or six, will be held Feb. 18 at the Hercules Building at 1313 N. Market St. in Wilmington. The event is hosted by the Technology Forum of Delaware.

"The winning concept must be innovative, implementable and make a difference."

The goal of the event is to demonstrate how technology, innovation and collaboration can result in new ideas to better the city. During the day, teams are presented the same problem and must collaboratively work together to develop a solution. A panel of experts — Ben DuPont, Kjell Hegstad of Digital Vikings, and John Kirk of Cnverg — will judge the participants.

Participants have skills in mobile technology, social media, big data, GIS Systems, online marketing, IT Security, digital printing, communications, biotechnology, software architecture, green energy, clean water technology, lean manufacturing and more.

“We have teams from Start It Up Delaware and The 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,” said Rebecca Faber, a Technology Forum of Delaware board member. “Judging the quality of the ideas can be very difficult. The winning concept must be innovative, implementable and make a difference. The teams leverage the latest technology to create compelling concepts that are inspiring.”

The winner will be given the opportunity to put their idea into motion. Last year, the two winning teams received a grant from the City of Wilmington to further explore their ideas.