Day 1 overview (Friday, Feb 19, 2021)
On Day 1, we will set the stage for the 48 hours of problem solving, introduce track speakers, and also introduce the technical platforms we will be using to conduct the ideathon: Zoom, Slack and Google Drive. We will also introduce free self-service entrepreneurship education resources and templates on the TEC student portal that can help teams move their idea forward.
Participants will then meet and network both on Zoom and on Slack/Email. There will be a facilitated pitch-to-match session where people with ideas can pitch to find teammates, and people with skills can pitch to join teams. Team formation will continue on Slack/Email on Day 1.
Day 2 overview (Saturday, Feb 20, 2021)
On Day 2, team rosters will be submitted by 9am ET. Teams will then find a problem to work on, develop a solution and test the solution with mentors, and develop and practice their pitch. We expect teams to be working off-platform on the video conferencing platform of their choice (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype etc) as well as on Slack.
Volunteer mentors will also be available throughout the day to answer questions from teams.
Teams can always reach out via Slack or email. The organizing team can meet with any team to help with technical difficulties and to help them move their idea forward.
We will host a pitching workshop with optional pitch practice in the evening to help teams develop the best 90 second pitch ever.
Program organizers will check in with every team twice on Saturday (once in the morning, and again in the evening) to make sure they are making progress.
Day 3 overview (Sunday, Feb 21, 2021)
On Day 3, teams will continue to work on their ideas and will have access to mentors for feedback and pitch practice.
Final pitch presentation run order will be posted by 12pm.
Final presentations will be run in a single track with all audience members watching on main stage.
After every team has presented, teams can mingle in the Expo area while judges deliberate.
Winners will be announced by 4:30 pm on Day 3.
Detailed schedule
| DAY 1: Friday February 19, 2021 | |||
| Start time | End time | Schedule name | Schedule description |
| 5:00 PM | 6:30PM | Tufts Ideathon Kickoff | Welcome to the Tufts Ideathon! We will go over what to expect, set you up with tech systems for the event, and turn it over to domain experts who will explore problems relevant to the track via case studies, and present problem prompts to help you brainstorm. |
| 6:30 PM | 6:45 PM | Break | |
| 6:45 PM | 8:00:00 PM | Networking and pitch to match – Day 1 | We will run a pitch to match session where people with ideas can pitch to find team mates, and people with skills and passion can pitch to join a team. Team formation will continue via Slack, email and Google spreadsheet. |
| DAY 2: Saturday, February 20, 2021 | |||
| 8:00 AM | “Doors” open | ||
| 9:00 AM | Team rosters due | ||
| 9:00 AM | 10:30 AM | Team check-in’s | Teams will check in and share their progress |
| 11:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Additional team formation time | If you are still looking for a team, come by at 11am and we will see if we can help. |
| 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Optional Mentor Office Hours | Mentors will be available to answer questions |
| 3:00 PM | 4:30 PM | Pitching 101 workshop: How to deliver a 90 second pitch + Optional pitch practice | We will be running a 30-inute pop up workshop on how to deliver a compelling 90 second pitch. Optional pitch practice to follow. |
| 6:00 PM | 7:30 PM | Team check-in’s | Teams will check in and share their progress |
| DAY 3: Sunday, February 21, 2021 | |||
| 8:00 AM | “Doors” open | ||
| 9:00 AM | 10:30 AM | Team check-in’s | Teams will check in one last time and share their progress |
| 11:00 AM | 12:30 PM | Pitch practice | Come by for walk-in pitch practice and get feedback from entrepreneurs |
| 1:00 PM | Final presentations due | ||
| 2:00PM | 3:30 PM | Final pitches | Every team who wants to pitch will have a chance to pitch their idea on stage |
| 3:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Networking | Optional networking in breakout rooms |
| 4:30 PM | 5:00 PM | Awards ceremony | Winners will be announced in the virtual awards ceremony |