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12th Aug 2014

Calling all tech entrepreneurs: PCH & DCU to host Ireland’s first Hardware Hackathon weekend

Do you have a great tech idea that you’d like to see become a reality? Then you might want to head along to Ireland’s first dedicated Hardware Hackathon weekend.

JOE

Do you have a great tech idea that you’d like to see become a reality? Then you might want to head along to Ireland’s first dedicated Hardware Hackathon weekend.

PCH International, along with DCU’s Innovation Campus, will host Ireland’s first dedicated Hardware Hackathon at DCU’s new Innovation Campus in Glasnevin, Dublin, from Friday September 12, to Sunday September 14.

So what exactly is this Hardware Hackathon? Well, according to the Hardware Hackathon website: “Anybody interested in developing ideas into physical objects, especially if they are connected, are welcome! Whether you’re hardware, software, data or entrepreneurial, you’re encouraged to attend and meet like-minded people to get creative over the weekend.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb_DzB_wmAA

The event has room for roughly 100 participants from all walks of life including, entrepreneurs, product designers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, developers and makers from across Ireland.

Participants can pitch their product ideas to the crowd and attract other attendees to join their team. So you don’t need to have a team to attend, just an epic idea!

After the best ideas are voted on, the participants will work together in teams over 46 hours, starting after the pitches at 7.30pm on Friday, and working until the final presentation at 5.30pm on Sunday. Teams will then demonstrate their completed prototypes to a panel of judges, and for those of you who need an extra bit of motivation to attend, you’ll be glad to hear that there are prizes up for grabs over the weekend.

2014may30_adamdillon_startupweekend_62701

PCH and DCU Innovation Campus will provide each team with prototyping equipment including Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits with IoT connectivity solutions by Spark, BodyTrace and MbientLab. Intel will provide Galileo micro-controller boards and Irish company LayerLabz will offer 3D printing solutions.

The event is a non-profit event with tickets costs going directly towards food and supplies over the weekend.

Prizes include:

– €3,000 fund for the continuing development of the winning product, sponsored by AIB.
– An individually tailored “Start Your Own Business course” for the top two teams, sponsored by Dublin City Local Enterprise Board.
– An Intel Galileo board for each member of the winning team.
– Electron engineering consultations with PCH’s award winning in-house team.
– Product design consultations with Design Partners.
– Free 3D printing.
– Raspberry Pi and Arduino kits.

Ticket Prices:

– €25 (€40 after August 20th)
– €15 (Student – Limited number available to valid student ID holders)

For more information and for tickets head over to the Hardware Hackathon website.

Pics via hwhackathon.com