A project seeking to teach students about how to manage their money took the top spot at the inaugural Creative Minds social entrepreneurship hackathon at DCU’s Ryan Academy last weekend.
Educa$ion, an online banking platform offering young people a practical way to learn about budgeting and banking beat out fifteen entries from both the Republic, Northern Ireland and the US. The team behind the project intend to talk to banks and credit unions to see how the concept could be rolled out in the near future.
Over 120 participants from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States took part in the competition organised in partnership with the US Embassy, and sponsored by Intel, IBM, Kerry Group and Pepsico.
The teams – supported by more than 30 selected mentors from a variety of sectors – worked throughout the weekend to find solutions to social problems using entrepreneurial and business practices.
Other project ideas included modular apartments for students, an online communication platform to help young people choose a third level course, and a system to help lawyers representing LGBT asylum seekers.
Eoghan Stack, CEO of DCU Ryan Academy, said: “I have to commend all of the delegates who took part in this event – they came full of enthusiasm, armed with superb ideas and worked around the clock to deliver impressive pitches today. Many of the teams have developed prototypes over the weekend which can now be implemented and the DCU Ryan Academy intends to support any of those teams who wish to take their project to the next stage.”
The judging panel consisted of US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley; Eoghan Stack; Intel director of global public affairs Leonard Hobbs; and Deirdre Mortell, CEO, Social Innovation Fund Ireland.
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