Ivy Hackathon

On November 12, 2024, the inaugural Ivy Hackathon brought in over 70 students from various majors at Iowa State University. The event, which took place in the Ivy College of Business’s Kingland Hub, drew both undergraduate and graduate students, fostering a diverse, collaborative environment with high levels of creativity.

Combating financial scams and protecting consumers

We’re excited to host the first Ivy College of Business Hackathon — an opportunity to join the fight against financial fraud and help consumers protect themselves from scams.

Financial scams are on the rise, impacting millions of lives daily. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers lost over $2.7 billion to imposter scams alone, with countless individuals tragically losing their lifetime savings to deceptive schemes. At Ivy, we believe in empowering our students to make a societal impact by tackling real-world problems with innovative solutions.

The Ivy Hackathon provides a unique chance to collaborate, innovate, and make a tangible difference in the fight against these financial scams. Whether your strengths lie in technical development or strategic thinking, your ideas can be part of the solution to help safeguard communities from fraud.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create meaningful impact and gain valuable experience in the process.

Schedule of events

The Ivy Hackathon will take place on November 12 at the Kingland Hub in the Gerdin Business Building. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free snacks and beverages will be provided during the event, followed by dinner and networking. If you have classes during the hackathon, you may leave the event and return after class.

Tracks and deliverables

You may choose to join one of two tracks: a technical-focused track or a business-focused track. Deliverables may include an app prototype, a PowerPoint presentation, a video, or a training manual — any format that best conveys your approach to addressing the problem of financial scams. We will place you on the appropriate track.

• Technical-focused track – ideal if you are inclined toward developing technological solutions, such as apps or digital tools.
• Business-focused track – suitable if you are looking to tackle the problem from a strategic or organizational angle, such as through marketing campaigns, educational materials, or business plans.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for each track:

• First place team: $600.
• Second place team: $450.
• Third place team: $300.
• Honorable mentions: Five teams will receive a $45 prize.

Registration and team formation

Registration is open to all undergraduate and graduate students at Iowa State. Registration is closed.

• You may register as a team with up to three members, or individually, in which case we will pair you with other participants.
• Coding skills are not required; creativity and a passion for the challenge are what matter most.
• We encourage the use of AI tools, such as Meta AI, to enhance your ideas and presentations.

Extra credit opportunity

For undergraduate students majoring in business analytics or management information systems, professors of selected courses may offer extra credit for participating in the Ivy Hackathon. Details regarding which courses offer extra credit can be found on the registration form.

Sponsorship

The 2024 Ivy Hackathon is sponsored by the Ivy College of Business and the Business Analytics and Digital Strategy Forum.