Hack a pressing healthcare issue
Hacking Health in the Community
Health Innovation Week 2019 is kicking off with an exciting event hosted by Hacking Health. Join us for an action packed 3-day hackathon March 29th to 31st at MaRS Discovery District!
Big Data, AI, Machine Learning, Connected Health & Aging… all topics and tech tools are on the table as we hack the issues facing healthcare in the community.
We’re calling all passionate innovators, designers, developers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and patients with lived experience to join forces and solve some of the greatest challenges facing patients in the community. Sound like you? Read on!
What’s a Hackathon?
Hackathons are amazing innovation competitions which bring together people from the multiple disciplines to solve challenges. At Hacking Health events these disciplines can include tech, business, health, and most importantly patients! Participants meet, ideate, and form teams to solve today's biggest healthcare challenges by pulling together all their skills and knowledge with support from mentors from all sectors. The design thinking framework is used as the backbone of the hacking process, to ensure that solutions address the end users’ problems. It also helps teams focus their creative energy to build out a prototype to show at the demo presentation on the final day.
The Best Part? Prizes!
Each team will present their solution on the third day at the pitch competition, which is open to delegates of Health Innovation Week and other attendees. A panel of experts will judge the projects, and the most innovative and impactful solutions will win prizes ranging from cash to in-kind services that will support those winning projects as they scale.
Tech Tools & Support
Hacking is hard work (but fun too!), and takes more than a team to build great solutions over a weekend. You bring your laptop, and we'll provide a team of talented mentors from health, tech, and business to make sure you have all the support you need as you’re building.
We’re also proud to offer access to some cool API’s and community data sets to help your team create the best, most cutting-edge solutions out there. Stay tuned for details!
Event Schedule
March 29th, 6pm-10pm - Friday evening is about pitching ideas and challenges – and finalizing the teams around those ideas and challenges. We will also have a few speakers to inspire and motivate you for what's ahead.
March 30th, 8am-11pm - Saturday is about working together to bring your ideas to life. We will have mentors and end users available to help advise your project team as you work to flesh out your prototype.
March 31st, 8am-6pm - Sunday is about demonstrating your innovative solution, getting feedback from a friendly panel and vying for a ton of prizes, and invaluable connections! Prototypes must be completed by 3:30pm for presentation at the pitch competition.
Networking Cafés
If you need more inspiration or would like to meet other people to form a team, Hacking Health will be hosting a networking café before the hackathon where you can learn more about the issues in community health and some practical tools for working as a team during a hackathon.
For more info, join our Meetup group!
FAQs
I'm not available all weekend or don't think I'm a hacker - can I still attend?
YES! There are tickets available to attend the demo presentation and judging on Sunday afternoon, so you can see the amazing solutions created at the event and have a chance to network.
What if I don't have the financial means to pay the registration fee?
We want to enable as many people as we can to participate in our hackathon. So if you cannot pay for a ticket, email us at toronto@hackinghealth.ca and we’ll find a way to get you involved.
Where can I find a team?
People sometimes come with teams already made so you can start by asking around in your network. Before the hackathon, you can also consult our Sparkboard page or come to one of our cafes. If you still do not have a team, no worries! There will be an opportunity for you to mix and mingle on Friday night so you can form at team.
What do I bring?
Most participants bring laptops and accessories to hackathons. We provide whiteboards, note paper, pens, sticky notes, and lots of coffee!
Who owns the IP?
Great question! Hacking Health does not make any claims to Intellectual Property that emerges from the event. However, using some of the proprietary API’s and/or data sets available at the event may require that you sign an agreement with the company allowing access to those API’s.
By participating in the hackathon, you are agreeing to donate your time to the project, but if you choose to continue post-hackathon, then your team should discuss IP ownership as soon as possible before moving forward. In many cases, it can be more beneficial to get paid for any work to be completed post-hackathon instead of negotiating IP ownership.
Do I have to attend the full hackathon to join a team?
YES! Before you apply and register, ensure that you are available during the whole weekend to support your team full-time during the hackathon. It’s only fair to your peers.
What's the refund policy?
Paid tickets can be refunded up to 7 days before the hackathon.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, you can simply show us a digital copy if you wish.
Can I update my registration information?
Yes, if you make a mistake simply update the information and let us know at toronto@hackinghealth.ca.
Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?
No, because you will be part of a team, tickets are only valid for the person named on the ticket.
Is the venue fully accessible?
Yes, the auditorium at MaRS Discovery District is fully accessible for individuals with mobility issues.
