The Girls Who Start 3rd annual ‘Design Challenge Hackathon’ held on February 11, 2023, included over twenty teams, with more than 100 middle school, high school, and college girls from around the world, ages 10 to 25. Partnering with University Startups, who works to create pathways for success in school and beyond, and with support from J.P. Morgan, the annual event inspires and supports girls to be tomorrow’s leaders and entrepreneurs.

The twenty teams included members from the US, India, Afghanistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Argentina, UK, and Malawi. The teams spent the day creating an idea with the theme of femovation, developing a prototype, and producing a pitch to promote their model with an eye on a monetary prize. Femovation, is a type of innovation that is aiming to improve the lives of female-identifying people. Our keynote speaker for the event was Professor Lori Rosenkopf, Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at Wharton.

After a strong showing from all teams, the 1st place prize was awarded to 3 young women ages 15, 17, and 21, from Virginia and California, for their creation of The Childcare Network, a social network connecting parents with childcare workers. The 2nd place prize was awarded to 3 young women ages 16, 17, and 20, from D.C. and India, for their creation of Selene Jewels, anxiety relief jewelry.

This year’s Girls Who Start Design Challenge Hackathon brings middle, high school, and college young women from around the world together to design products with the theme of “femovation-” innovation that improves women’s lives.

Learn how to create an idea, prototype, and develop a pitch to promote your model with no past experience necessary!

WHEN

Saturday February 11th, 2023 10AM to 330PM

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Professor Lori Rosenkopf, Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at Wharton