The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Social Apps Lab @ UC Berkeley create information technology solutions for many of our most pressing social, environmental, and health care problems. To promote innovation, community service, and career development among UC Berkeley students, CITRIS, the Social Apps Lab, and Berkeley Center for New Media are sponsoring a semester-long competition for the best mobile apps that address identified needs in Health, Energy, Climate & Environment, Civic Tech & Smart Communities or Education.
This challenge encourages teams of UC Berkeley students to develop innovative mobile applications for today’s most pressing societal needs. Through a rigorous 3-month process, students will design, prototype and pitch their ideas. Participants will receive coaching and guidance from CITRIS faculty and staff, entrepreneurs, developers, nonprofit leaders and prospective clients. The challenge will culminate in a public Demo Day at the end of the semester where teams will give short presentations and prizes will be awarded in various categories. Teams may win up to $1,000 in scholarship funds and preferred consideration for application to Berkeley startup incubator programs.
Students can participate in the challenge by either registering in late January or taking a 3-unit course,New Media 190/290P, taught by Dan Gillete.
The Info Session & Ideation Summit will help facilitate the ideation and development of project ideas, an info session followed by a roundtable will be held to help students define potential areas of interests for their apps. Domain experts from our societal impact areas will attend to provide advice and share their experiences.
More info about the CITRIS Mobile App Challenge can be found at http://mobileappchallenge.org
