The City of Phoenix’s Office of Innovation is teaming up with Venture Café Phoenix to host its second hackathon event, partnering with the innovation community to develop solutions to city challenges. This time the theme is “Our Future’s So Bright We’ve Got to Build Shade”. Mayor Kate Gallego is scheduled to participate.
“Expanding shade in Phoenix is one of my top priorities, not only to beautify common spaces, but especially to curb adverse health effects from extreme summer heat. That’s why we are so excited to host another Venture Café event to bring our city’s best minds together to brainstorm innovative ways to create additional shade. Our best ideas come from our most passionate residents, and I can’t wait to see what solutions folks bring to the table,” said Mayor Gallego.
On Dec. 7, more than 30 participants will break into groups to hack innovative solutions to expand manufactured shade across the city. The teams will then present their ideas to a panel of judges and the Venture Café Phoenix community.
The winning team will receive a grand total of $3,500 and the second-place team will receive $1,500. All funds will be divided equally among team members.
In April 2023, the Office of Innovation hosted its inaugural Innovate PHX Challenge at Venture Café Phoenix, powered by the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CPI). More than 100 people participated in the all-day event developing ideas to expand access to chilled drinking water in public spaces. Innovation is currently testing ideas that came out of the challenge, including heat mitigation materials.
Phoenix residents interested in attending the hackathon can Join the City of Phoenix and Venture Café Phoenix on Dec. 7 from 5-7 p.m. at 850 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Source: City of Phoenix
