PakathonDC: Global Hackathon

**TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR AT A HIGHER PRICE**FOOD IS PROVIDED THROUGH THE EVENT**

 

What is Pakathon and PakathonDC?

Pakathon is a global organization aimed at empowering Pakistanis to be change-agents around the world. With over 15 city and university chapters, our programming includes events, webinars, hackathons and online forums. The programs are designed to help you launch your business, and collaborate with a global Pakistani network.

PakathonDC aims to bring together some of the smartest minds in DC to tackle issues in Pakistan and provide them with a platform to become change-makers in our community. The hackathon is our biggest event but we also host other events such as speakers series, webinars, trivia night and much more.

Pakathon Global Hackathon Event

Our global flagship event is a three-day hackathon that takes place across all of our chapters and university locations at the same time! A hackathon is an event where individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds intensively collaborate to launch a venture. This year the event will take place on Friday, October 2nd 2015 at OpenGov Hub (1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 500) and on Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th at General Assembly (8th Floor, 1133 15th St NW).

The winner from each city or university will be invited to compete against the winners from other chapters in the final global round. Winning teams have the option to pitch in person or send a video for our judges. Our all star judging panel is a mix of venture capitalists, investors and entrepreneurs and they will select the global winners that will be awarded prize money. This year the global finals will be held in second week of November in Toronto.

The winning team will be provided with subsidized travel to the global judging event, in-person access to our global community mentorship from renowned business leaders in both North America and Pakistan and much more. 

If you have a great idea, or a skill that can help bring an idea to life, the hackathon event is the perfect way for you to spend your weekend. It's a great way to learn about social issues in Pakistan, exchange ideas on how to make a change, create a product that can actually make an impact and network with the DC tech community.

Why should you attend?

Pakathon DC will be bringing together some of the smartest minds in DC all focused on tackling social issues in Pakistan. If you have a great idea, or a skill that can help bring an idea to life, Pakathon is the perfect way for you to spend your weekend. Pakathon DC is a great way to give back to communities across the world, create a product that will actually make an impact and network with the DC tech and changemakers community.

Winning teams can win seed money for their ideas, exposure on a global scale and mentor-ship from renowned business leaders in both North America and Pakistan.

Who should attend? 

Pakathon events have something for everyone. Engineers, business majors, designers, philosophers all have something to contribute. We believe interdisciplinary collaboration is one of our most powerful tools for change. Pakathon is for Pakistanis and non-Pakistanis alike. 

Don't have a team? Don't have an idea? Don't worry - we'll spend time on grouping participants together, and more information wil be shared with you as we come closer to the event.

Event Agenda

 

Friday, October 2 at Opengov Hub:

6.30 pm - 7:00 pm - Check-in and Network (dinner will be provided by Taste of India)

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Pakathon kick-off, introductions and review event schedule

7:30 pm - 8:15 pm - Visioning & Ideation workshop led by Kalsoom Lakhani

8:15 pm - 9:00 pm - Brainstorming sessions facilitated by mentors

9:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Create teams and initial pitches   

Saturday, October 3 at General Assembly: 

10:00 am - 10:30 am - Check-in and Breakfast (provided by Dunkin' Donuts)

10:30 am - 11:00 am - Coffee Session with Sarish Khan, Miss Pakistan USA

11:30 am - 10:00 pm - Teams work on projects

-       Mentors will be coming throughout the day to support teams/think through details

-       Lunch will be served at 1pm and dinner at 6pm, both provided by Pak Halal Restaurant 

Sunday, October 4 at General Assembly:

10:00 am - 10:30 am - Check-in and Breakfast (provided by Dunkin' Donuts)

10:30 am – 1:00 pm - Teams work on projects

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Pitches due to PakathonDC. Pitches will be posted to Pakathon Global website

-       Lunch will be served at 1pm, provided by Dunkin' Donuts

2:00 pm - 3.30 pm - Judging 

4:00 pm - Winner will be announced!

Join Us! 

Join us for our second annual hackathon - where you will collaborate with other passionate DMV folks to create change in our communities both here and in Pakistan. Buy your tickets online and before the event. Ticket prices will increase if purchased at the door.

Still confused about how this works? Check out Al-Jazeera as they covered out 2014 event! 

Refreshments will be provided for all participants. 

Terms and Conditions

By registering for PakathonDC's hackathon event, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

I hereby grant PakathonDC and Pakathon Global permission to use my likeness in a video, photograph, or other digital reproduction in any and all of its publications, including website, without payment or any other condition. 

FAQs

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Email us at washington@pakathon.org.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event? 

PakathonDC will be hosted at OpenGov Hub (1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 500) on Friday and at General Assembly (8th Floor, 1133 15th St NW) on Saturday and Sunday. Both locations are located 2-3 blocks North of McPherson Square metro and 4 blocks West of Farragut North metro. Street parking is available. Limited parking garages are available on the weekend.

Are there ID requirements to enter the event?

Please remember to bring your ID to check in at the event in the front lobby of the building.

Do I have to have any entreprenuership or business experience?

No. The beauty of a collaborate event like a hackathon is that the more diverse the group of people, the more unique the solutions!

What is the general structure of the event?

On Friday we will have our introductions and brainstorming sessions. The goal here is to hash out some initial plans and form teams. On Saturday, the goal is to work on the project throughout the day and work with our rmentors to fine-tune the idea. Finally, teams will finalize their projects and pitch to our panel judges as we pick a winner for PakathonDC 2015 who will get to have a chance to participate in Pakathon Global in Toronto in November.

What streams can I participate in?

-Education

-Healthcare

-Women Development

-Energy

-Gaming

-Law and Order

 What if I am not familiar with issues in Pakistan?

Don't worry, we've pulled together some material to get you thinking! Visit our Resources page and learn more about each stream!

 

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