CINCINNATI, OHIO (January 15, 2024) – The PeaceRise Innovation Challenge is set to captivate the global community with its upcoming events at the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub. As the challenge approaches, participants from around the world are gearing up to showcase their innovative solutions for peace.
The challenge will kick off with the Opening Ceremony on May 3rd, 2024, at 11:00 AM, where participants, mentors, and guests will gather to mark the beginning of a 72-hour sprint. During this period, teams will collaborate to refine their ideas and prepare their pitch decks.
Following the sprint, the Final Presentations and Award Reception will take place on May 11th, 2024. The day will start with the final presentations from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM, during which participants will present their solutions to a panel of judges and an audience of peers and industry leaders. The event will conclude with an award reception from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, during which the winners will be announced and celebrated for their contributions to peace and innovation.
The organizers are hosting a Peace Panel the week prior to the challenge. The event will be held at Alloy Growth Lab on April 27th, 2024, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, and will be led by Sister Keli, a PeaceRise executive board member. The event not only serves as a precursor to the challenge but will also provide a platform for a roundtable discussion on peace, fostering a deeper understanding and community engagement.
Sister Keli shared her thoughts on the importance of the panel: "The PeaceRise Peace Panel is an opportunity for us to come together and reflect on the meaning of peace and how we can collectively work towards achieving it. It's a crucial part of our journey towards creating lasting change."
Josie Dalton, Assistant Director of UC Center for Entrepreneurship, expressed her excitement about hosting the challenge: "We are thrilled to be the venue for the PeaceRise Innovation Challenge. It's inspiring to see so many innovative minds come together in pursuit of peace, and we look forward to supporting their journey here at the 1819 Innovation Hub."
The PeaceRise Innovation Challenge has already made significant strides, with over 200 Peace Partners from 26 countries joining the platform. The challenge has been featured in various media outlets, including Movers and Makers magazine, Cincy Lifestyle WCPO 9, and has hosted informative braintrust sessions on topics such as sustainability, AI, and digital marketing strategies (PeaceRise YouTube).
Jeremy Fritzhand, Director of Startup Services at Alloy Growth Lab, expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge: "Every day, we witness the global community expanding, and the eagerness of our partners to join this movement is truly heartening. If you're inspired to contribute to fostering peace through innovation, we encourage you to get in touch and become part of this journey."
Participants are reminded that the deadline for applications and idea submissions is April 28th, 2024.