In collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) College of Engineering, Commonwealth Cyber Initiative’s Central Virginia Node (CCI CVN) proudly sponsored MegaHack 2024. The seventh installment of the 24-hour hackathon brought together developers and makers to address real-world challenges. Organized by VCU staff and made possible by the hard work of student volunteers, MegaHack showcased interdisciplinary collaboration and problem-solving in Smart Health, Smart Cities, and Smart Tech
A Platform for Practical Solutions
MegaHack@VCU aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Participants, working in teams of up to four members, tackled challenges in IoT, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and medical technologies. The emphasis on real-world problems underscored the event’s commitment to fostering practical innovations.
The judging panel, comprised of industry experts, evaluated projects based on well-defined criteria. Factors like product development approach, prototype quality, originality, presentation quality, and overall impact were considered, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process.
Winning Innovations
The innovations and the teams that created them this year were worthy of praise and deservingly split $9,000 of hackathon prizes. The ideas presented as part of the Smart Health and Smart Cities challenges were a particular source of pride for CVN as these reflected our region’s research focus areas.
In the Smart Health category, “BodySync” emerged as the winner. Utilizing sweat samples to analyze electrolytes and metabolites. Their solution incorporated a range of biometric data to offer personalized health care recommendations through a mobile app framework.
The Best Smart Cities Hack went to “REALERT,” an emergency response system for gun violence in schools. Leveraging mobile phones and existing CCTV camera systems, REALERT provided accurate emergency alerts and routing, showcasing an economical and functional solution to a critical problem.
The Best Overall Hack, “Give Me a Hand,” received accolades for its virtual reality experience designed to address challenges faced by individuals living with limb loss. Beyond relief, the immersive technology offered empathy and an opportunity to reexperience everyday activities.
Recognizing beginner talent, the Best Beginner Hack was awarded to “Pill Daddy,” a user-friendly pill dispensing and organization tool. Seamlessly integrating with smart devices, it aimed to simplify medication adherence for the elderly, introducing connectivity features for user convenience.
Beyond Hacking: Commercialization Workshop
CCI CVN also organized a workshop, led by Design Thinking expert, Gopa Nair (MBA), aimed at guiding Megahack participants through the practical aspects of transitioning their ideas to viable business solutions. Our panel featured experts like Carl Elks, Ph.D. , Ravi Hadimani, Ph.D. , Irfan Ahmed, Ph.D. , and Sherif Abdelwahed, Ph.D., each of whom has launched an impactful CVN-backed business based on their research, providing valuable insights into the commercialization journey from science to startup.
MegaHack as a Catalyst for Future Innovations
MegaHack 2024 underscored the potential of collaborative problem-solving in the tech community. As sponsors, CCI CVN witnessed the birth of solutions that can make a meaningful impact. The event not only showcased the capabilities of participants but also highlighted the importance of practical, applicable innovations in addressing real-world challenges. It is events like MegaHack that exemplify CCI CVN’s dedication to supporting the growth of Virginia’s cyber ecosystem through fostering a culture of innovation.
