May 19, 2016

Media Advisory: Wayne State hosts 24-hour tech blitz for Detroit-area high school and college students

HackWSU hackathon is official pre-launch event for Detroit Startup Week

WHAT:

Nearly 250 Michigan high school and college aspiring tech entrepreneurs will converge on the Wayne State University campus for HackWSU, an overnight tech blitz, May 21-22. During the 24 hours, students will work in teams to write web-based software, create mobile apps or design computer programs addressing a need or innovation of their choice. Attendees represent more than 20 schools from Detroit and across the state, including Michigan Tech, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Saginaw Valley State University, Schoolcraft Community College, Oakland Community College, Wayne County Community College, Cass Tech High School, Denby High School, Detroit Edison Public School Academy, Pontiac Academy of Excellence and Wayne State University.

Participants will compete for prizes valued at more than $5,000, which include gift cards, tours and hardware. Prizes will be awarded at 3pm on Sunday, May 22. Judging the competition will be tech experts from Detroit Labs, Mad Dog Technology, Ambr Detroit and other local tech startups.

HackWSU is the official pre-launch event for Detroit Startup Week, held May 23 through 27.

WHEN:

9:30 a.m. May 21-4.p.m. May 22

Full schedule: http://hackwsu.com/how-it-works/

WHERE:

Wayne State University College of Engineering
5050 Anthony Wayne Drive
Detroit, MI 48202

MORE INFO:

HackWSU’s sponsors and organizers are Wayne State’s Innovation Warriors/Blackstone LaunchPad and College of Engineering, with additional support from WSU’s James and Patricia Anderson Engineering Ventures Institute, New Economy Initiative, Detroit Startup Week powered by Chase, Detroit Labs, Girl Develop It, Iron Yard, La Pita, Level One Bank, Loveland Technologies, New Horizons Computer Learning Center, NITS Solutions, Pish Posh, Revela, Rocket Ventures, Rocket Fiber, Better Made Chips and Tony V’s.

For more information, visit hackwsu.com.

Interview opportunities:

There will be opportunities to interview participants and event organizers, as well as judges and mentors representing local tech startups throughout the event.