Awards

• Application Period (March 4th to April 28th): Submission Portal opens for applications from March 4th to April 28th
• Team Selection (April 30st): Announcement of teams selected for the challenge.
• Hybrid Challenge (May 3-6, 2024): A focused sprint hosted at the University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub culminating in submitting a pitch deck.
• Final Presentations and Awards, VIRTUAL (May 11, 2024): Live pitching for teams participating in person and virtual pitches from those participating from afar. Announcement of winners. A (virtual) reception event to celebrate achievements and encourage future collaborations.

PeaceRise is grateful for early partnerships with Big Kitty Labs, Pieces for Developers, The Ghost Agency, Inc., and BotsCrew, and Disco.

Big Kitty Labs, in a commendable move, has pledged dedicated developer hours specifically for constructing winning solutions from the challenge. Pieces for Developers is an AI-enabled productivity tool designed to supercharge developer efficiency. Ghost Agency is an award-winning agency lending insights into UI/UX, creativity and strategic thinking. Bots Crew will provide access to the BotsCrew platform to allow any participant to build conversational AI projects. Disco is hosting the virtual community on their online learning platform.

These partnerships are pivotal in transforming ideas into actionable solutions with real-world impacts. By bridging connections between entrepreneurs and established companies, PeaceRise ensures that innovative ideas are not only realized but also have the potential to make a tangible difference.

In addition to Alloy and the 1819 Innovation Hub, PeaceRise is enriched by the contributions of leaders from various fields. These experts, ranging from founders to academics, will deliver informational "Braintrust" sessions, offering deep dives into their areas of expertise.

These sessions cover a range of topics crucial for innovators in the PeaceTech space. From Nomiki Petrolla's focus on a customer-centric approach in software development at PDS Lab to Dr. Leah C. Lewis, J.D.'s journey of launching Cocoon Technologies Inc. for public safety, attendees will explore diverse perspectives on leveraging technology for social impact. Paul D'Souza will delve into Go-To-Market strategies with societal impact, while Rob Richardson (MidwestCon) discusses the power of gamification for social change. Nancy Tinsley RN MBA FACHE offers insights on creating value in innovation, and Matt W Gore provides expertise on crafting impactful pitch decks. These sessions represent the first step of PeaceRise's commitment to building a knowledge-rich community, where learning from experienced professionals inspires meaningful innovation and collaboration.

PeaceRise extends invitations to academic institutions at local, regional, national, and international levels, encouraging them to participate with their teams. With events designed to be hybrid, participants from any location can easily join and contribute. This approach underscores our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive platform where experts and novices alike can share, learn, and collaborate towards common goals in the PeaceTech space.