Case Study: Virtual Collaboration Smashes Silos, Sparks Learning and Generates Innovative Solutions
THE CHALLENGE:
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THE APPROACH:
The AgeTech@Home Hackathon included:
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Extended timeline - 30-day hackathon allowed for deeper collaboration and refined solutions
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Diverse participation - Including frontline workers, older adults, research and industry experts
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Targeted educational sessions throughout the month to help participants understand key product/service development considerations and skills (e.g. design thinking, pitching, etc.)
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Structured support - Expert mentorship and educational workshops
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Real-world focus - Emphasized practical application potential
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THE IMPACT:
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Eight teams and over 40 people--representing older adults, front line home care staff, tech, and research, participated from as far away as Ireland
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Increased confidence in applying design thinking and prototyping process in real-world context
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Breakthrough participation from frontline workers
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First-place team awarded $5000 in seed funding for video reminder app
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Increased collaboration of often siloed stakeholders developing solutions to improve health equity in technology, support caregivers and apply age-tech meaningfully at home
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Real-world focus, emphasizing practical application process to AGE-WELL members so they're thinking more holistically about new product and service development for older adults
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“With Big Eye Innovation’s support we pulled off a successful virtual hackathon that engaged and excited participants, producing some impressive, innovative Age-Tech pitches too!”
--Samantha Sandassie, Director, Education & Training, AGE-WELL NCE.
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“The most exciting part of the project was seeing it ‘come alive’ and it was amazing to see something we had talked so extensively about for only a month turn into something tangible.”
--Nicole Moreira, Hackathon Participant
