Forbes and Rocket Mortgage, of Quicken Loans, announced a new aspect of the yearly Forbes 30 Under 30 listing, an “Under 30 Detroit Hackathon.” Aimed at accelerating change and addressing challenges that have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Under 30 Hackathon will work to address concerns in Detroit and around the country.
“We’re elevating the 2020 Under 30 Summit from a four-day event to a four-week movement,” said Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer for Forbes, in a press release. “This virtual format is purposefully built in partnership with Detroit’s leaders to marshal the full power of our Under 30 community and the best minds in business. Together, we’re looking to solve issues exacerbated by the pandemic. Now is the time to regroup, reset and reimagine a new path forward and ensure that Detroit remains the world’s innovation laboratory and a model for entrepreneurship.”
“We are committed to employing every resource we have to enable Detroiters to solve the unique challenges they face due to the pandemic – whether they are recent hardships or systemic issues,” added Jay Farner, CEO of Detroit-based Rocket Mortgage, in the same press release. “By bringing together the world’s most inventive young minds, passionate Detroiters and organizational leaders to work together towards the next chapter of progress, we will offer forward-looking solutions to the city we’re so proud to call home.”
The program, which began in early June, is hosted by Major League Hacking, a fellowship founded by prominent Under 30 listers. The program will work within various industries, alongside venture capitalists, public policymakers and more to tackle the needs articulated by Detroit stakeholders. The program will also work with mentors, including Kevin Systrom, Karlie Kloss, Jay Farner, Steve Aoki and Tory Burch.
Being held virtually, the program is the largest of it’s kind and will involve a 10,000-strong network of Under 30 listers to complete weekly tasks. Featured in the release from Forbes, the program will find solutions to aspects such as ensuring every resident has access to technology, the internet and digital literacy programming.
According to the release, the weekly challenges are as followed:
- Thursdays: Confirmed attendees receive an email with details for that week’s topic that is designed in partnership with Detroit community partners to address real-world needs. Attendees will begin convening via private Forbes Slack channels, where they leverage the group’s diverse skills, knowledge base, network and areas of expertise.
- Fridays: Each week’s idea lab kicks off with inspirational keynotes, followed by attendees brainstorming how to address the challenge at hand.
- Saturdays: The teams spend the day working together to develop solutions. Various high-profile mentors coach the groups along and offer advice, guidance and real-world input.
- Sundays: Each team presents its solutions to the Under 30 Community, Detroit community partners and other stakeholders.
- Mondays: The results, including all related articles and videos, are published on Forbes.com
Commenting on the matter, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II stated, “Focusing the Under 30 ‘Detroit Hackathon: Accelerating Change’ virtual event in Detroit builds on an entrepreneurial spirit and rich heritage of innovation that is continuing to drive opportunity for growth, even in the midst of a global pandemic.”
“The collaborative imperative of the event and the impressive minds being leveraged to provide inclusive, accessible and sustainable solutions for residents and businesses across Detroit will help us to see through the challenges that were exacerbated by Covid-19 in stronger, smarter and more determined way,” he added.
Keep up with the event on social media by following the hashtag #Under30Summit and learn more about the Under 30 Detroit Hackathon here.
