Overview

Schedule

Friday - April 27

5:00pm

Doors Open

5:30pm

Dinner & Networking (don't miss this!)

6:00pm

Friday Night Begins! We'll cover everything you need to know, let you pitch, vote on top ideas & form teams for the weekend

10:30pm

Wrap up!

10:45pm

Facilities Close

Saturday - April 28

8:15am

Doors Open & Morning Yoga (optional)

9:00am

Breakfast

11:00am

Morning Mentors Arrive

12:45pm

Community Updates - circle up and discuss progress

1:00pm

Lunch

3:00pm

Afternoon Mentors arrive

6:00pm

Dinner

10:30pm

Wrap Up!

10:45pm

Facilities Close

Sunday - April 29

8:15am

Doors Open & Morning Yoga (optional)

9:00am

Breakfast

11:00am

Mentors Arrive & Community Updates

12:00pm

Lunch

2:00pm

Pitch Practice & Presentation Tech Check

4:00pm

Dinner

5:00pm

Final Presentations Begin

8:00pm

Judging & Awards

8:30pm

Wrap Up & Celebrate

8:45pm

Facilities Close

Judges

Jen Bowden

Director of Social Impact, IGS

Jen Bowden is the Director of Social Impact for the IGS Family of Companies, where she works to carry forward the company’s purpose of building a meaningful energy future together. In this role, she’s responsible for investments into the communities where IGS does business including philanthropic investments, volunteerism, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. Additionally, she has ... Read More » responsibilities on IGS’s corporate innovation team. Before joining IGS, she was the vice president of community relations for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus’ professional hockey team. Jen has also held roles as the director of corporate and government relations and capital campaign manager for Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Prior to her time with the Foodbank, she spent several years in charitable fundraising in Washington, D.C. She received a degree in International Studies from The Ohio State University. She serves on the Conscious Capitalism Columbus board and as a leader for the HRC Columbus Gala. She lives in Upper Arlington with her husband, Josh Flynn, and daughter, Parker.

Falon Donohue

Founder, Sadie Ventures

Falon Donohue is a community organizer, veteran, former CEO of VentureOhio, Founder of Sadie Ventures, and Partner at Narya Ventures. Her work at Narya is thesis-driven, early-stage venture capital funding based in Ohio. Narya invests with conviction in exceptional teams tackling scientifically complicated business challenges. Sadie Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in dynamic ... Read More » founders across the Midwest. Prior to VentureOhio, and while serving her country in the Ohio Air National Guard, she began her career in technology solutiCon sales and business development. Falon is an active member of the Ohio startup community and serves on several nonprofit committees. In 2017 she testified on behalf of the U.S. venture capital industry in front of the United States Congress, spoke on venture capital and entrepreneurship across the United States and Europe, organized the first Midwest LP Summit in Ohio in over 20 years, brought over 500 entrepreneurs and investors together for the Ohio VentureDinner, wrote and produced the 2017 Ohio VentureReport and founded NextGen - a Midwest venture capital peer group that promotes collaboration, education and deal flow.

Lisa S. Courtice, Ph.D., CAP

President and CEO, United Way of Central Ohio

Lisa S. Courtice is president and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio, one of the largest United Way organizations in the country. Under her leadership, United Way is helping to mobilize the central Ohio community to reduce poverty. Lisa is a Ph.D. psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience working in nonprofit leadership having served for over ten years as the CEO, Co-CEO and clinical ... Read More » director of agencies directly providing services to those living in poverty in Ohio. From 2003-2017 Lisa held leadership roles, including executive vice president, at The Columbus Foundation, the seventh largest community foundation in the country. Throughout her career, Lisa has been dedicated to working closely with partners to develop collaborative solutions. This includes authentically engaging with people receiving services to understand their needs and ensure that their voices inform decision-making. An important example of this principle is her work with the Weinland Park Collaborative where resident leaders played crucial roles in neighborhood revitalization. Lisa is a lifelong dog lover and her inclusive management approach can be summed up by the sign that occupies a prominent place in her office, “Bark less, wag more.” Lisa currently serves on the Prevent Family Homeless Collaborative, the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio, the Commission on Black Girls and the Ohio United Way Board of Directors. Her professional activities have included the Ohio Wesleyan University and Columbus School for Girls Board of Trustees. Lisa received her Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University, her Master of Arts from West Virginia University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Akron. She is also a Certified Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP).

Emily Savors

Director of Grants Management, The Columbus Foundation

Since 1991, Emily has assisted the Foundation in carrying out its services to donors and supporting organizations, nonprofit organizations, and the community at-large. She has served as a catalyst in addressing community needs by researching, reviewing, and spearheading projects for funding consideration, and developing funding partnerships for special initiatives. Prior to joining the Foundation, ... Read More » Emily was director of housing and community services for South Middlesex Opportunity Council. Emily has a bachelor of arts in Economics from Kenyon College and masters’ degrees in public policy and theological studies from Harvard University.

Jaiza Page

Member, Columbus City Council

Raised in the Linden neighborhood, Councilmember Page knows firsthand that it is our neighborhoods and individuals who live in them that make Columbus such a great city. She was appointed to Columbus City Council in January of 2015. Next, she was elected to a four – year term. She is a problem solver with a unique ability to be able to listen to community concerns and understand how to remedy ... Read More » those issues. “It is important to ensure that our residents feel connected to their government and to their elected officials. I know Columbus has what it takes to be the greatest city in the nation.” She began her work with the city as a law clerk in the City Attorney’s office in May of 2008, before becoming an Assistant City Attorney. She has assisted in litigating environmental issues and held problem property owners accountable for the damage done to the neighborhoods. She worked with residents and the courts to shut down the Motel One, on East Main Street and demolish the former Howard Johnsons hotel site on Hamilton Road. As a City Councilmember, Page pledges to bring the same level of passion and commitment to her new role as a public servant. Councilmember Page is currently chair of the Economic Development & Small Business, Housing, and Judiciary & Court Administration Committees. She has been hard at work to improve our neighborhoods and quality of living. She also looks to continue and build upon already successful city programs that turn vacant or abandoned properties into productive uses. For example, Councilmember Page sponsored and established a new grant program titled Learning Skills to Lift Neighborhoods, (LSLN). The housing grants promote workforce development in the construction trades for youth or restored citizens. LSLN, also focuses on transforming vacant and blighted structures or lots into productive parcels. Last year, Page also created a summer youth enrichment program and job opportunity known as “Capital Leaders.” The civic engagement program aims to serve Columbus teens, and encourage individuals to be productive citizens. In addition, “Capital Leaders,” allows students to get involved in their community, fosters positive mentorship, and partners with local businesses, or organizations. Councilmember Page joined Eastman & Smith in February, 2016. Her areas of practice are Public and Environmental Law. She earned her B.A from Georgetown University, (Government), 2005 and her J.D. from The Ohio State University, 2010.

Mentors

Lisa M. Chambers

National Executive Director, TECH CORPS

Lisa M. Chambers has more than 18-years of experience developing and implementing nationally-recognized and award winning, Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) informal education programs. Lisa joined TECH CORPS as the State Director of the Ohio chapter in 1999. In 2011, she was named the TECH CORPS National Executive Director. TECH CORPS is a national nonprofit organization dedicated ... Read More » to ensuring K-12 students have equal access to computer science programs, skills and resources that enhance early learning and prepare them for college and career. TECH CORPS develops CS and IT programs and deploys tech-savvy talent to assist K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations across the country. Over the years, partners such as JPMorgan Chase, Nordson Corporation, Battelle and Cognizant have provided TECH CORPS with the fuel to deliver much-needed technology resources to K-12 students and teachers. Since 1995, more than 15,000 TECH CORPS volunteers have shared their time and talents assisting schools and nonprofit organizations in their communities. TECH CORPS was founded in 1995 by Gary Beach, Publisher Emeritus of CIO Magazine and author of The U.S. Technology Skills Gap. Lisa’s work has been recognized and honored at the local, state and national levels. She was named a “Modern-day Technology Leader” by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine; featured in Who’s Who in Black Columbus, received the Technology Innovation Award in Nonprofit Service Delivery from TechColumbus, the 2017 Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits and the National Telecommunications Partnership Award from The SBC Foundation and Partners in Education. Lisa is a member of the National Center for Women and Information Technology, K-12 Alliance, a member of the Computer Science Collaboration Project's Change Agents Council and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Board. Lisa is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Ryan Frederick

Principal, AWH & Director, Startup Grind Columbus & Director, i.c.Stars

Ryan Frederick has had the privilege of being part of several startups and growth companies. He has helped companies grow from inception, to viability, through to sustainability. During the evolution of these companies, Ryan as served on company boards and been instrumental in capitalization activities. He has also helped companies to expand to international markets. Ryan brings a unique blend of business ... Read More » acumen and technical knowledge to help companies and clients achieve their objectives. He now helps companies of all sizes build great products and become better product companies. Ryan (@ryanfrederick) is a Principal at AWH (@awhnet), Director for Startup Grind (@startupgrind | @startupgrindcmh), Chairman i.c.stars|*COLUMBUS (@icstarscolumbus), Co-founder <BLK hack> (@black_hack) and leader ProductCamp & ProductTank Columbus.

Elaine Grogan Luttrull, CPA-PFS

Department Head, Business & Entrepreneurship, CCAD

Elaine Grogan Luttrull, CPA-PFS is an Assistant Professor at the Columbus College of Art & Design where she serves as the Department Head for Business & Entrepreneurship.  Additionally, she is the founder of Minerva Financial Arts, a company devoted to improving financial literacy in creative individuals through education and coaching. Elaine’s area of expertise is building financial literacy ... Read More » in creative and social entrepreneurs. Elaine previously served as the Director of Financial Analysis for The Juilliard School and in the Transaction Advisory Services practice of Ernst & Young in New York. Her presentations have been featured nationally by the DeVos Institute of Arts Management, Americans for the Arts, the Arts & Business Council of New York, the College Art Association, Playwrights of New York, the Lark Play Development Center, Theatre Communications Group, the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory of Music, Rhode Island School of Design, the Clark Hulings Fund, the Ohio Art League, the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the City of Bloomington, and the Foundation Center. Elaine is the author of Arts & Numbers (Agate, B2 2013), and a regular contributor to Professional Artist magazine. She is based in Columbus, Ohio where she serves on the boards of Social Ventures and the Short North Alliance. She also serves on the national board of the Financial Therapy Association.

Walker Evans

Co-founder and CEO, Columbus Underground.com

Walker is the Co-Founder and CEO of ColumbusUnderground.com, an online news publication created with his wife, Anne Evans, in 2001. Together, they have grown CU from an entrepreneurial startup into a groundbreaking local news company that continues to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2010, Columbus Underground launched a spin-off website called The Metropreneur, which focuses on local small ... Read More » business stories and entrepreneurial profiles. Columbus Underground has also launched multiple local event series attended by thousands of annual guests, including the Best Bites food tasting series, Columbus Coffee Festival, Columbus Dessert Festival, and Urban Living Tour. Additionally, Columbus Underground directly donates over $20,000 per year back to the community through multiple local nonprofit programs. In 2017, Walker and Anne, along with business partner Nancy Colvin, launched Prociso, a new digital advertising firm that assists businesses and organizations with sophisticated digital campaigns across paid search, display, social, rich media and other channels. Walker regularly writes articles on a wide variety of local news topics, and can be found shooting photos and videos around the city for CU features. Walker currently volunteers on the boards of the Gay Street Collaborative business association (where he co-created the Moonlight Market and Sunlight Market events, as well as the Pop Columbus retail incubator program), the Parters Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) group that works to improve the Near East Side of Columbus, and also devotes time casually to other local groups that help to improve Columbus for all residents.

Madison Mikhail Bush

Founder & CEO, POINT

Madison Mikhail Bush is the Founder and CEO of POINT. POINT is a startup tech company making volunteering easier than ordering a Uber. Madison was named one of the Top 10 Entrepreneurs in Columbus for 2018. Both a tech geek and a bio nerd, Madison is also a member of the start up team at Gnome Diagnostics (GnomeDX) as Director of Corporate Development. GnomeDX provides at home clinical DNA testing. ... Read More » Madison lives between NYC and Columbus with her 2 giant tortoises. Download her app and do more good by searching "POINT Volunteer" on the App Store or Google Play.

Anique Russell

Co-Owner and Founder of Too Good Eats

Anique Russell is a passionate millennial mom who saw a need for healthier and delicious snacks for the entire family to enjoy together. Anique founded Too Good Eats in 2016 along side her husband and college sweetheart Ali Russell. Too Good Eats is inspired by their 4 year old son, who goes by little Ali. With ice pop flavors such as Too Good Green and snack pouch ingredients such as blueberry+banana+Kale+mint, ... Read More » Too Good Eats is the cool way to snack! Passionate about access and giving all children a healthier start to life, Too Good Eats partners with organizations such as Moms2B Columbus to donate ice pops and pouches to families- 10% of their profit is donated in the form of actual product. Too Good Eats hires inner city youth to provide summer employment and teach entrepreneurship skills and goal setting. The Russell family lives by saying, "It takes a village." Anique enjoys reading, working out, and traveling in her free time. Find Too Good Eats, at your local grocery store, online, or at a special catered event! #EatandLiveTooGood

Lauren Edwards

Owner, Next Step Business Consulting

Working to Alleviate Poverty by using our skills to help you achieve your Vision. From start to finish, any project can use an expert at the wheel. Lauren brings years of experience leading teams to success, doing everything from individual project design, creating and implementing overall business plans, to full logistics overhauls. Having spent much of her career in the business and non-profit ... Read More » space starting and running successful social enterprise, Lauren works with individuals and organizations looking to use traditional business practices to solve social issues. Utilizing skills gained through professional experience as well as while earning her Masters degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University, Lauren is a trusted partner who will work tirelessly to help you achieve your goals. Lauren lives in Grandview Heights with her 3 daughters, husband, and dogs. In her spare time she loves cooking, exercising, and playing outside with her kids! She is also the Director of SEA Change, a Social Enterprise Accelerator program that accelerates new organizations to move forward further, faster.

Christopher Slee

Founder, Principal, and Chief Product Officer at AWH

Christopher Slee is the founder, principal, and Chief Product Officer at AWH, a Dublin, Ohio software engineering firm currently celebrating its 23rd year of creating great digital products for business clients. At AWH, Chris leads internal and external development teams across all applications, from web, mobile, and desktop platforms, to virtual reality and machine learning. Even though Chris has ... Read More » been programming for more than 30-years, he continues to push the technology envelope. From drones to artificial intelligence, Chris Slee continues to exemplify the spirit of continual learning in the tech space. As a passionate technologist and mentor, Chris founded Dev:Launch, an apprenticeship program where aspiring software developers have the opportunity to work on real client projects alongside experienced development teams. As a mentor, Chris teaches apprentices how to be efficient and productive developers, not just how to write code. Chris is a graduate and Adjunct Professor of The Ohio State University.

Muyang Hu

Venture Analyst, Rev1 Ventures

Science and basketball—Muyang Hu has loved both since she was a child. Her university studies in chemistry and business led her to discover that she loves innovation and the startup world. Mu brings a blend of science and business education, plus pharmaceutical and investment experience to her role as Rev1 venture analyst. She was a manufacturing science specialist in insulin formulation processes ... Read More » at Eli Lilly—where she also founded and led the Eli Lilly 20+ person basketball team. While earning her master’s degree in entrepreneurial biotechnology from Case Western Reserve University, Mu worked at a Shanghai –based VC, evaluating technologies, analyzing potential investments, and participating in deal negotiations. At Rev1, Mu will be working closely with startups in bioscience and medical devices, and who knows, perhaps will be founding Rev1 Venture’s first-ever basketball team.

Dan Rockwell

Big Kitty Labs

Dan Rockwell is the cofounder of Big Kitty Labs (BKL), a digital software agency in Columbus Ohio. With over 20 years experience building and shaping technology solutions Dan is an avid futurist, strategy and ideation technology specialist. His clients include fortune 500 companies such as PG, to Honda and has helped build numerous startups in the central ohio region. Known for his passion for hustle, ... Read More » he's an active mentor for startups across the midwest region, and helps organize such events as Startup Week, Startup Weekend, and Wakeup Startup. He spent 5 years working at THE Ohio State University in the intellectual property and commercialization group working with staff, faculty in students to help realize their ideas. Before getting into software development Dan worked in Japanese animation, broadcast video, and market research. He's the guy you want to meet when you have an idea and you want it realized.

Matt Chimes

Associate, Market Intelligence, Rev1

Matt’s mission is to expand Rev1’s data-driven approach to entrepreneurship with market research and analysis. He will be reporting on leading edge topics—cybersecurity, blockchain technology, Internet of Things (IoT), and others—in the industries that we and our corporate partners serve. Matt helps our team better understand our industry through market intelligence, and that helps us make better ... Read More » decisions for our portfolio companies and partners. Coming from generations of entrepreneurs, Matt is passionate about startups and entrepreneurship and has spent much of his career working with entrepreneurs. He is an enthusiastic community advocate through his involvement on the board of Startup Weekend Columbus and works off-hours through pro bono consulting projects, helping connect local businesses to high-caliber university students. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Matt is a snowboarder who loves music. He once negotiated a contract with Chance the Rapper’s agent and said becoming the next tech unicorn might be easier.

Kwame Christian

Negotiation Coach & Consultant | Lawyer | Podcaster

Kwame a corporate attorney with a passion for using negotiation and the psychology of persuasion to help clients get the best deals possible. His TEDx Talk, Finding Confidence in Conflict, was viewed over 24,000 times in 24 hours and I also host the top negotiation podcast in the country, Negotiate Anything. The show has been downloaded over 270,000 times and is a resource for business professionals ... Read More » in over 140 different countries.

Jay Clouse

Founder, Unreal Collective

Jay is a writer and entrepreneur from Columbus, Ohio. Jay fell in love with building products through his first software startup, Tixers, which was acquired in 2015. After a stint in product management at a venture-backed healthcare startup, Jay founded Unreal Collective in 2017 to combine his interests in product and community building. Unreal Collective is an online accelerator for founders ... Read More » and freelancers to find community and grow their businesses. You can connect with Jay or receive his daily email at jayclouse.com.

Yanling Yin

Application Owner, Vice President, JPMorgan Chase

Yanling Yin is an application owner at JPMorgan Chase. She has been instrumental in improving automation and development processes for employee learning at the firm as well as for the next generation of ATM technology. Yanling is an alumna of the firm’s Expert Engineer Program which recognizes high-performing technologists at the firm. Outside of work, Yanling is passionate about volunteering and youth development.

Trevor Bennett

Software Engineer, Associate, JPMorgan Chase

Trevor Bennett is a full stack developer for JPMorgan Chase, where he has spent three years building new web applications. He has a huge interest in problem solving and using technology to simplify the lives of those who use it. He also is a co-host of a local podcast, Columbus This Week, which discusses the weekly news that impacts central Ohio. Trevor has also previously participated in GiveBackHack ... Read More » as a developer and has served as either a mentor or a competitor in over a dozen other hackathons and startup weekends. He has also worked on volunteer software projects on behalf of both Groundwork Group and the LeBron James Family Foundation.

Eric May

Software Engineer, Associate, JPMorgan Chase

Eric May is an Associate Software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase and current MBA student at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. Before joining the firm, Eric served in the United States Army as an aviation operations specialist and was deployed to Hawaii, Iraq, and Korea. Eric has been involved with the startup community in Columbus for the past three years. In his free time, ... Read More » Eric enjoys skiing, reading, and playing tennis.

Event Sponsors

Lead Sustaining Sponsor

IGS is driven by a set of core beliefs that moves us toward an energy-independent United States, powered by domestically-produced, environmentally-responsible resources. And just as IGS seeks disruptive innovations in the energy space, they take a similar approach to their community investments. For this reason, the company has made social enterprise a primary focus of their philanthropy. IGS is proud to partner with GiveBackHack to invest in entrepreneurial solutions to complex social issues – improving lives by harnessing market forces to get innovations to the people who benefit the most.

Key Sustainability Partners

Sustainability Partners

Community Leaders

Event Partners

Community Advocates

In-Kind Partners

Organizers

Derek DeHart

Lead Product Manager, Alignable

 

Derek DeHart has over a decade of experience in tech, with a focus on product management in growth-stage startups. He's passionate about how technology can make a real difference in people's lives and communities. Currently, Derek is helping to boost product adoption and engagement at Alignable, a platform that connects small business owners, by improving the user experience with generative AI. Before ... Read More » Alignable, he led product at battleface, where he developed innovative travel insurance products on a global scale, and was an early member of Root Insurance's product team, guiding its growth from under 150 employees to over 900. Derek is also dedicated to community work—in 2020, he co-founded Can't Stop Columbus, rallying over 600 volunteers to tackle challenges brought on by the pandemic. He also serves on the board of SEA Change, a social enterprise accelerator, as well as volunteers as a mentor with Rev1 Ventures and Techstars Columbus.

Andy Jett

Graphic Designer, Entrepreneur, Pixeljett

 

Andy is a graphic designer and entrepreneur in Columbus with a passion for helping others bring their visions to life. In late 2015, he used his decade of experience in the print industry (where he wore many hats: manager, designer, project coordinator) to launch Pixeljett, a marketing and graphic design company that caters mainly to start ups and small businesses in Columbus. Shortly after leaving ... Read More » the corporate world in early 2017 to focus full-time on Pixeljett, he became acquainted with the vibrant social enterprise community in Columbus by attending GiveBackHack. From there, he attended SEA Change with the DACA Time team, which was the GBH 2017 Crowd Favorite and SEA Change 2017 Winner, and has continued to offer low or no-cost support to other social enterprises. Now, he is excited to help bring the life-changing experience of GiveBackHack to a whole new group of social innovators as a lead organizer of GBH 2018.

Bailey Fullwiler

Social Worker & Re-entry Coordinator

 

Bailey is a licensed social worker working with the Ohio Department for Mental Health and Addiction Services as a community linkage worker. She has spent the last two years working with and in Ohio's prisons to help justice involved individuals safely and successfully transition to the community. Bailey was drawn to the social enterprise world as a pathway for those with criminal backgrounds to find ... Read More » meaningful employment and is volunteering for a second year with GiveBackHack. Bailey is passionate about building community and connecting the right talent and resources to address our most pressing social issues. In her free time Bailey is also a 200 registered yoga instructor and volunteers with a number of organizations that treat trauma and substance use disorders.

Rachyl Kershaw

Founder, Greater Columbus Consulting

 

Rachyl founded @greatercolumbusconsulting from her passion for helping small local businesses succeed. Rachyl is a lifelong Buckeye, with a degree from The Ohio State University, and 20 years of business experience in central Ohio. She has assisted executive teams in securing over $65M in funding, as well as helping businesses of all sizes create strategic goals that are realistic based on their past ... Read More » performance.  Rachyl's skills include assessing the feasibility of new products, forecasting future performance of existing products, finding gaps in your data collection which may be holding you back from understanding your business, and helping you avoid spending your limited time & money going down unrewarding paths. Rachyl loves travel, photography, and reading. She also enjoys both viewing and creating all kinds of art in her free time!

Laura Bloch

Consultant, Improving

 

Laura is a Consultant at Improving – Columbus where she acts as a Business Analyst, Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Software Developer. Her background is in embedded systems engineering but she loves all things tech. When not at work, Laura can be found at yoga, volunteering with National Council of Jewish Women, or grabbing a slice at Mikey's. She's passionate about leveraging technology to improve ... Read More » society and is thrilled to empower others to do so at GiveBackHack.

Eileen Guan

UI Designer, Ambercrombie

 

In the venn diagram of web design, social enterprise, and donuts - Eileen sits smack dab in the middle. She first stumbled across GiveBackHack in 2015. She went on co-found Billion- a tournament-style crowdfunding platform for global movements, and took home first place and $4,000. After building her startup for 2 years, which resulted in raising $15,000+ through Billion to give back to local social ... Read More » enterprises and non profits, she graduated and became a Venture for America Fellow. Then after working in product and marketing in a handful of high-growth startups, she decided to give corporate a try. During the day you'll find her doing UI design at Abercrombie and and at night, organizing and volunteering for rad events like GiveBackHack and Columbus Product Club.

Gabriela Torres

Sales, Homeside Financial

 

Gabriela Torres is a local artist and social impact advocate. This is her second year on the organizing team and she can’t get enough of it! When she’s not helping plan the event you can find Gabby painting at her studio in downtown Columbus or hopping around local art and music events in the city. She also has two adorable cats and loves to dance!

Erin Halleran

OSU Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

 

Erin is a Finance student with a Leadership Studies minor graduating in May 2018 from The Ohio State University. In 2014, she began her OSU experience in the inaugural class of the Innovation, Creativity, & Entrepreneurship Scholars. She is also a member of the Student Leadership Advocates, Honors Cohort in Fisher College of Business, Alleviating Poverty Through Entrepreneurship, and the Ohio Prison ... Read More » Entrepreneurship Program. She has had a range of professional experiences in business strategy and management, including second-chance employer Hot Chicken Takeover, then FUSIAN, ds-connex, Housepitality, LLC, and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In her free time, she visits family in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia with her dog, Otto.

Alex Deuley

Consultant, Cardinal Health

 

Alex is health and fitness enthusiast who is passionate about generating positive social impact. Looking for something meaningful and fun to get involved in, she found out about GiveBackHack from a desperate google search and has been hooked ever since! She is super excited to help promote the event this year and to attend her first ever GBH. Alex currently lives in Columbus and works at Cardinal Health.

Mike Letscher

Founding Organizer - Web and Design

Mike is a software developer currently working as a UX/Front-end Engineer at Finite State, a stealth-mode IoT security company based out of Columbus, Ohio.   Outside of work, Mike spends much of his time helping to organize and grow GiveBackHack. He is passionate about the organization as he believes social enterprise provides the most solid, sustainable foundation for social change.

Mike Ong

 

A junior at the Ohio State University, Mike is studying Accounting at the Fisher College of Business. Passionate about social enterprise, he has spent most of college investigating the social needs of Columbus communities, from volunteering at nonprofits to working on the frontiers of startups. With the student organization Alleviating Poverty through Entrepreneurship, Mike acts as internal director, ... Read More » coordinating logistics and fundraising to fuel its flagship summit of social enterprise speakers. Professionally, he does accounting for DOmedia – a technology company recently named the fastest growing company in Central Ohio.

Ann Kneidinger-Flaherty

Social Enterprise Ambassador

Ann's passion lies in being an ambassador for social entrepreneurship. She supports and promotes social enterprises and startups with a focus on creating an impact within the Columbus area. She is a board member at Roosevelt Coffeehouse and is also involved in several volunteer projects within her local community. She is a proud wife and mom of 3.

David Noltemeyer

District Leader, CVS Health

 

David Noltemeyer is a graduate of The Ohio Northern University with a degree in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business. He works for CVS Health in Columbus, Ohio. David’s passion is helping individuals with disabilities gain mean full employment. In his free time he enjoys playing sports and visiting microbreweries.

Brook Kohn

CEO, DACA Time

 

Brook is the CEO of DACA Time, a software nonprofit that started during the 2017 GiveBackHack. DACA Time is developing software to make the immigration experience easier. His background is in government and international relations.

Chase Petrie

Intern at LOUD Capital

 

Chase is a Senior Associate at LOUD Capital, responsible for directing and managing the bulk of the company’s operational and project management activity. He ensures that effective operational processes are implemented across each of LOUD’s lines of business and is always seeking ways to enhance internal efficiency and improve overall performance. In the past, Chase was a Project Manager for the ... Read More » SEA Change accelerator program and also served as Co-Finance Lead for the Columbus division of GiveBackHack. He also was Treasurer of Alleviating Poverty Through Entrepreneurship on top of engaging himself with various other entrepreneurial initiatives across Central Ohio.

Pre-submitted Ideas

Submit your Idea 

• 1. Nikola’s Safe T Bar LLP submitted by Ken Nekic

  Nikola’s Safe T Bar LLPSubmitted by Ken Nekic

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Public and transportation safety

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  Nikola's Rear Safe T Bar System augments a vehicle's existing brake light by showing the rate of deceleration based on vehicle speed, and other safety information about the vehicle to following drivers. There are 8 new vehicle speed and safety information points indicated clearly by this system that are not currently available:
  1) How fast the vehicle is decelerating. 2) It shows very rapid vehicle deceleration immediately. 3) When the vehicle speed is zero. 4) When the vehicle has been in a collision. 5) Alerts fellow drivers that a life threatening emergency is occurring at the vehicle scene. 6) When the vehicle speed is 20mph or less. 7) When the vehicle is moving backwards or not in reverse gear. 8) Provides a second set of rear turn signals.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  Provisional patent applied for on 1/18/18; Patentability search completed with patent law firm BakerHostetler 2/15/18. Prototype production initiated 3/22/18.

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I am the holder of the intellectual property rights for the provisional patent that was filed. I need investors to help with the production of the functional prototypes and legal fees associated with the full patent application and protection portfolio.

• 2. First Light submitted by Cristina Villarreal

  First LightSubmitted by Cristina Villarreal

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  The challenges of acclimating to civilian life after active service.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  Resource focused on matching returning vets with training that will enable them to enter the workforce from the various organizations in place.
  Returning vets can be more easily matched with facilities and classes to train, build strength, and build confidence. Caring for the entire person individually.
  Together, the result is an environment that is both uplifting and impacting.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I am a daughter, cousin, niece, spouse, and mother of service members from many branches of the armed forces. I have see first hand the struggle of soldiers and their family here at home.
  
  In business, I am creative, a planner, a motivator, a problem solver. Outside of the financial industry, I am challenged with knowing how to roadmap and who to contact.
  
  I would also like to have input from technical experts and counselors with experience in helping military members and their families

• 3. Local Fanny submitted by Gabriela Torres

  Local FannySubmitted by Gabriela Torres

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Connecting local creatives, causes, and community to make an impact. Art for impact is the main focus while supporting local business and promoting community outreach through a fanny pack! Each local fanny will feature a local artists design each month to promote the artists and a cause they stand behind. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to said charity or non profit each cycle. Inside the fanny you will find local sample sized goods in partnership with local business and venues to promote local entertainment and merchandise.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  Bringing local business and local creatives together to create not only a exclusive product but an exclusive experience. The local fanny will be something you take with you to enjoy your local concert, hiking down at hocking hills or going to an art fair downtown. While supporting a local artist and local cause it will give you not only the feeling that your money was well spent, it will give you the opportunity to be apart of your community and see the impact you made with others to help a local charity or nonprofit. You'll want to be apart of the local fanny fam!

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I am a Columbus College of Art & Design Alumni passionate about connecting local artist to the community and making a difference through expression and outreach. Connecting passionate creative individuals with the right opportunities that make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. For Local Fanny to be a successful and impactful business we would need enthusiastic and driven individuals with skill sets in computer science, product development , art & design, marketing, and social impact backgrounds.

• 4. Brave Buddy submitted by Ryan Scott

  Brave BuddySubmitted by Ryan Scott

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Our audacious mission is to alleviate the fear and anxiety of the pediatric patient experience and transform it into joy and optimism.
  
  It’s our belief that no child should have to journey through life in a state of fear or distress, especially a child already battling an illness.
  
  Additionally, patient fear and anxiety create an environment that increases stress and burnout of healthcare professionals while lowering patient satisfaction and outcomes. For hospitals this environment contributes to higher personnel turnover, as well as loss of revenue due to poor patient satisfaction surveys (HCAHPS) and clinical inefficiency – patient experience is currently a top-3 concern for hospitals.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  To fulfill our mission, we differentiate our offering from competitor solutions by focusing on alleviating the cause of the fear rather than simply distracting from the symptoms. Our research shows that fear and anxiety in children are often best treated using cognitive behavioral therapy, which leads us to our product – Brave Buddy, a pediatric companion.
  
  Brave Buddy is an app-based modern imaginary friend that pediatric patients can always interact with, via voice (e.g., Siri or Alexa), texting, and gameplay. Patients can talk to the user-customizable AR character about anything; interests, fears, hopes, treatments, etc, and the artificial intelligence feeding the interaction is coded with the same methods that cognitive behavioral therapists use in one-on-one sessions.
  
  Brave Buddy is the friend who shares the same interests, is always safe to be honest with, never gets tired, and is with the child every step of the way during treatments and throughout life.
  
  With some minor tweaking Brave Buddy could also work to combat bullying, suicide, and potentially even loneliness in the growing elderly population.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  During Startup Weekend in February we spoke to more than 40 patients, parents, nurses, and senior-level hospital staff regarding the original idea to use augmented reality to improve the pediatric patient experience and we uncovered crucial insights.
  
  
These insights, coupled with research on competitors in the same space, encouraged a subtle focus (cause vs symptom) and technology (incorporating CBT into the AI) shift that results in a significant user-experience pivot.
  
  We won the popular vote from our peers during Startup Weekend and the idea continues to elicit positive responses and excitement when shared with others. 


  
  Specific difficulties pertain to securing funding and connecting with the correct personnel within hospitals such as Nationwide Children’s to forge a development partnership – however recently there has been traction in both aspects.

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  Five years ago I founded a company that works in immersive technologies, creating content – primarily 360º video and virtual reality experiences – for global brands. During this same period of time my young family underwent a life-changing healthcare experience and I emerged with a personal mission to use my knowledge, expertise, and blood, sweat and tears for a greater purpose.
  
  Fortunately with Brave Buddy we are not proposing to reinvent the wheel, rather we are building a new wheel utilizing spokes that already exist. I relish figuring things out and solving problems and have a track record of doing things no one else has done before – in this case I can see the spokes and how they fit together.
  
  That said, I am not a researcher, psychologist, or healthcare professional, nor a developer, or expert in artificial intelligence or machine learning. And though I have real-world experience gleaned from starting my own initiatives and businesses for more than 10 years, I do not have formal business education or big business experience and am deficient in some startup business knowledge.
  
  I am looking for passionate team members that are aligned with our mission and eager to share their wisdom. Specifically business savvy individuals to mentor me and verify or alter our business model and monetization strategy, researchers (clinical and market) to fully inform and validate our idea(s), additional developers and experts in AI and ML to help build the product, and hustlers with integrity to facilitate connections and partnerships to ultimately bring this to market in a sustainable manner. We wouldn’t turn down an additional designer or two, either, though this is the lowest priority due to my own network.

• 5. ‘SAK’ (Simple Acts of Kindness) submitted by Kanjani Dholakia

  ‘SAK’ (Simple Acts of Kindness)Submitted by Kanjani Dholakia

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Depression and Loneliness:
  
  According to the General Social Survey, the number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985. “Zero” is the most common number of confidants, reported by almost a quarter of those surveyed.
  
  Some real issues we are trying to solve:
  
  -Lack of real, meaningful relationships. Need a ‘connection’. The power of reaching out.
  -Lack of sense of belonging and community.
  -Humanity is at stakes. Life happens. We as humans, need to help each other to keep going.
  -Want to reach out, but don’t know how to, or hesitate to act in person.
  -Current generation is lonelier than the previous ones.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  'SAK' - Simple Acts of Kindness is a kindness app that makes it easier for users to perform ‘simple’, ‘everyday’ acts of kindness, for family and friends, by suggesting acts of kindness and inspiring them. The intention is to ‘reach out’ and make meaningful relationships based out of love and support.
  
  Some key features include:
  -Users can view suggestions of Simple Acts of Kindness AND send the act to a friend/family through the app itself. We can partner with local vendors to help facilitate the act of kindness. E.g. Buy flowers from a local florist and send them to mom.
  
  -Pay it forward: Upon receiving an act, users can 'pay it forward' to somebody else. 1 connection at a time. What goes around comes around.
  
  -Share to inspire: Users can upload an image of the act of kindness to their app profile and/or social media to inspire others.
  
  -Board of Kindness/'Pinterest' for Kindness: The user can choose to publish kindness act images in the public Board of Kindness, where other users can pin the act to their own board.
  
  -Kindness Volunteers: Users can sign up to become 'kindness volunteers'. These volunteers are then matched to the nearest user in need of some help as an act of kindness!

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  This idea was crafted by my friend Adela and I, Kanjani.
  
  About Kanjani:
  I have 5+ years of work experience working as a Business Analyst in the Analytics and Information Management domain, with a passion and aspiration for Product Management
  
  I have a passion for driving a product vision that truly empathizes with customer needs, and bringing it to life by collaborating with various stakeholders.
  
  I pursued an MBA in Marketing from the Ohio State University, and also have a Bachelors of Engineering in Information Technology.
  
  'Love over Fear' being my mantra, I have come to realize that love and support truly is what we are here for. It keeps us going. This realization struck me after leaving the comforts of my country and people, and venturing to a new city, creating new experiences and relationships.
  
  
  About Adela:
  A problem solver, engineer and a business consultant with a bachelors in engineering and masters in Human Resources Management from Fisher College of business.
  
  The varied experiences of living in different places since a young age has implanted in me, the idea of paying it forward to the society and the people in your circle. Because the kindness I received from family, friends and even strangers helped me to keep moving in my journey.
  
  SAK will be a great platform for me to combine my life experiences with my educational background to make this idea a reality.
  
  Need: Developer and UX!

• 6. Human Suffering Index submitted by Harry Lindner

  Human Suffering IndexSubmitted by Harry Lindner

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  The problem of losing track of the world's problems.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  Make a list of all the problems. Describe them, map their source, count the people affected, and measure how bad.
  Listing will keep track of the problems. It will also raise awareness. People love lists. Measuring problems will people and policy makers prioritize solutions and spending. Mapping the source will help solve problems and highlight groups that frequently cause problems.
  
  Why is my solution of listing problems then solving them unique? It's not. I just don't think the list strategy has been applied to all of the world problems yet.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I am very passionate about solving world problems. I want to solve them all!
  
  Why am I uniquely qualified? I love making lists. :-) I also have two Master's degrees: Public Policy and Nuclear Engineering. I am a great leader, commutator, and listener.
  
  I need all people and skills.

• 7. CelebrateOne – BuyOneGiveOne submitted by Faraz Khan

  CelebrateOne – BuyOneGiveOneSubmitted by Faraz Khan

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Three infants die each week in Columbus (150 / year), and African American babies are dying at 2x the rate of white babies. This statistic signals a significant gap in the overall health, vitality and quality of life in our community. CelebrateOne is a coalition of community partners created to tackle this problem. Currently, outside of donations and volunteering, there are no ways for the general public to support this coalition's initiative and there is no sustainable business model to provide safe sleep kits to expectant mothers in need.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  The idea is to launch a physical product for CelebrateOne using a Buy One Give One business model. The product idea is a "safe sleep kit" or (single product to start) consisting of products like a Swaddle, a safe sleep guide, room thermometer, miniature crib, pacifier and a onesie . For every kit or product sold, one will be given to an expectant mother in need. This idea will allow CelebrateOne to raise awareness about an important local issue (Infant Mortality), while creating a sustainable business model to get more sleep kits into the hands of mothers in need.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I am a 10-year entrepreneur who is connected within the Columbus community. I am resourceful and have been through different business ventures and can work through the early idea stages. I have the ability to create a minimal viable product and can work through design, contract negotiations, product mapping, marketing launch, and forecasting. Another GBH attendee, Priyam Chokshi, is a director with CelebrateOne and is uniquely positioned as an internal resources with 8 years of experience in community building. We are both excited to tackle this important issue in Columbus.
  
  Gaps - we will need help with logistics, product manufacturing / printing, marketing and ongoing management as the business grows. We will need to partner with a local printer, product supplier and shipper. We will need to develop a pricing model that is profitable and create processes for ongoing management with limited resources.

• 8. Lilac Pack submitted by Emily Lawrence

  Lilac PackSubmitted by Emily Lawrence

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Lack of care for postpartm women.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  It is a care package with products, instructions and support references. One package, one order, simple as that.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  Decided on a name and bought the website (not developed), identified target customer and sent out packages for market research.

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I'm passionate, have experience in product development and have first-hand experience being a mom. My partner is also a mother and a DPT who specializes in Pelvic Floor. There are many products to address specific postpartum needs, but they are not consolidated and not all products are well known.

• 9. Coding Futures submitted by Chris Scherer

  Coding FuturesSubmitted by Chris Scherer

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Getting people with little to no higher education into good paying tech jobs

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  By providing developer bootcamp services for little to no up front cost, we hope to help people develop a skill set that will allow them to move from low wage jobs into junior developer roles

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  So far I've just been working on putting together curriculum and meeting with a local community center that is willing to provide class space

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I've been a volunteer my whole life and love helping people, and as a bootcamp grad who is now leading a successful career as a developer, I believe I have a good grasp of the skills needed to break into the industry

• 10. MyCoach submitted by John Rush

  MyCoachSubmitted by John Rush

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Successful re-entry post incarceration

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  Reduce the number of folks returning to prison and increase the number of career/ entrepreneurship opportunities for those previously incarcerated.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  Seasoned entrepreneur in the re-entry space, hired over 3,500 returning citizens, started/ help start/ consulted over 30 social ventures. NEED tech savvy, fun, excited, motivated, inspired, ready to change the world team members!

• 11. The Citizen App submitted by Rasaan Hollis

  The Citizen AppSubmitted by Rasaan Hollis

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  90% of Americans support universal background checks for firearms, 77% are opposed to mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug crimes, and 40% of us who are eligible don't vote. Citizens collectively have the most power in our democracy. We're just too disorganized to leverage it.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  One of the Citizen app's biggest features is a police review system. Each police officer's name and badge number is public information available upon request. When you get pulled over, simply ask the officer for their badge No. and type it into the search bar. It will take you to the officer's review page where you can leave a 1-5 star rating and a comment. Users can activate video to record their interaction with the officer that saves automatically on our side. Over time this will separate the good cops from the bad cops, and give officers an incentive to be friendly.
  
  Users will receive messages about key local events like voting referendums, early voting, etc. There will also be a way for citizens to organize and sign petitions if their account is verified. We could potentially even make a brief list of policy stances for each candidate so individuals know exactly who to vote for to represent their interests.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I have a master's degree in finance from OSU. I believe this app would be great as a non-profit and I don't have much expertise in those. The most important thing is to have a team who can design and launch a prototype. We need developers to design the basic app interface as well as individuals skilled in creating, managing and updating databases to store information from thousands of local police departments across the U.S.

• 12. SOAR: a center for neurodiversity submitted by Kristen Huyett

  SOAR: a center for neurodiversitySubmitted by Kristen Huyett

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Need: Students with ADHD, Asperger's, or Autism have social, emotional and cognitive needs that are not being met in mainstream education.
  
  I have anecdotal and qualitative data to point to that strongly suggests what solutions are greatly needed and at least be vetted for viability.
  
  I.e.: Quote: "Special-education departments tend to focus on helping students with learning disabilities. But kids with Asperger's often don't need academic support. They need help navigating social interactions." - Amy Mackin, parent
  
  (Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/01/how-my-autistic-son-got-lost-in-the-public-school-system/266782/ )
  
  I have anecdotal evidence of the above example as well from being involved with the Neurodivergent community.
  
  There are more examples and they vary from brain type to brain type, but hopefully that gives you an idea to start with.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  My solution does not attempt to fix the entire education system. It is meant to supplement day-time schooling by offering after-school and weekend programs for students. My hope is that the center would become a place that would explore, create and model best-practices for neurodivergent students that could be replicated in other cities and maybe even in schools.
  
  Those programs would include, but are not limited to:
  
  1. Safe spaces to socialize in, meet others like yourself, and find understanding and support.
  
  2. Workshops to learn about your brain, the typical struggles and strategies to work around them, the typical strengths and how to use those to create success.
  
  3. Individualized, self-directed projects that are structured in a way that compliments the student's brain and works with how their brain is innately motivated.
  
  4. Art, dance and sensory therapy
  
  5. In addition to helping students, the center would offer awareness and workshops for parents, teachers and society (i.e. police) to help everyone understand neurodiversity better.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  There are millions of students who are diagnosed with neurodivergent brains every year. These brain types are commonly referred to as ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, etc. While they certainly receive some level of accommodations at school and home, not all of these students' social, emotional and cognitive needs are being met. I have designed a concept and space which I have illustrated visually and put on a poster. I know a lot about the topic and have done some research, but I have not created a business plan or vetted the idea beyond what I have already described to see if it is viable.

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was about 11. I was never given any help on understanding my brain or how to be successful with it. All too often people focused on what I could not do. They didn't see what I could do and my self-esteem and relationships with others suffered. It was not until I was in my mid to late twenties that I realized I was making the same mistakes over and over and that I needed to learn about my brain and how to be successful with it. And in many, many ways I have figured this out!
  
  I am incredibly passionate about neurodiversity and trying to help others like me be more successful with their brain sooner in life than I was able to.
  
  I started a Neurodiversity Club on campus. I have had quite a few people tell me that until I admitted my diagnosis publicly, or until they came to the club, they had never met another student who had a brain like theirs. It can be taboo to admit your diagnosis, but having people to relate to, having a support system that understands you is vital to life and success otherwise you end up feeling alone.
  
  One member of the club, who has a diagnosis of Asperger's, has really grown and changed over the past 2 years, even with just bimonthly hour long meetings. Being in an environment that understands and supports you is crucial for development, self-esteem, etc. He has been able to express himself freely and safely and ask questions about social interactions that he was not able to get answered in other areas of his life.
  
  In addition to that, I am about to graduate with my degree in Interior Space Design. I understand how to communicate visually and how design can greatly impact and improve an experience.
  
  Other skills sets needed: I definitely need help with the entire business side of this proposal. I am very entrepreneurial minded, I have the energy and spirit for it, but I lack the formal background.
  
  I have a strong understanding of the needs of this community and I am equipped to facilitate the social solutions, but curriculum, specifically for divergent brains, needs to be developed. I have already begun thinking about how this would happen and be different from mainstream education, but it will need to be developed and vetted by educators and counselors who work from a strength-based perspective.

• 13. Picture The Good submitted by Steve Glick

  Picture The GoodSubmitted by Steve Glick

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  The main focus is on helping working poor families. The overall goal is to promote positive social change.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  This site allows users to set up small funding pools for any given social issue. The resulting efforts and photographs are used as content to drive the social media aspect of the site.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  Picturethegood.org is a social network of goodwill. It combines aspects of micro-funding social communities and positive good will driven content with the aim to help people "picture the good" they want to see in the world.

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  The website is mostly built but it needs design work as well as automation of some processes. Creative ideas need to be developed for community pages. Someone who is familiar with 501c3 grants and funding would be very helpful.

• 14. “This is Me” Community for People with Special Needs submitted by Sarah Phillips

  “This is Me” Community for People with Special NeedsSubmitted by Sarah Phillips

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  My name is Sarah and I am a college student with special needs. I was born with Turner's syndrome and suffered a prenatal stroke. With the support of countless great teachers, physicians, therapists, and caregivers I was able to attend elementary, high school, and college as a "mainstream" student. Through the years, though, it was blatantly obvious to me that there was a huge gap between the disabled community and the neurotypical population ("normies"). There is little to no interaction between the two worlds. For instance, the students who have disabilities at Wright State (my university) are housed together in the same dorm; the students at Fairfield (my alma mater) are all close by in a handful of classrooms. There are few opportunities for overlap, and little social interaction between the two groups. For someone like me, with disabilities but also full cognitive capacity, it's hard to fully fit in to either category.
  
  I would like to create a club or community with the purpose of gathering college students with special needs and proudly bringing them out into the real world, and showing disabled children (and their families!) what could be possible for their future. I never dreamed I’d be able to go to college on my own, and can only imagine how powerful it would have been to see college students with disabilities roaming the halls of Children’s Hospital. At GiveBackHack, we could launch the first chapter of this new organization with Wright State!
  
  For example, the club could organize events like taking a group of disabled Wright State students to Children's Hospital to meet the patients. We could join in high school visits, campus tours, and other student social activities to make ourselves more visible. As a group, we could advocate for greater accessibility so that members with mobility issues can get out into their community more easily.
  
  I would like to build a brand and a website describing this club, set-up a place for members to chat & plan events (using existing apps like facebook, GroupMe, Whatsapp, etc.), and provide instructions for starting chapters on other college campuses.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  As a sophomore, I have a couple more years on campus to get this club going & growing. I am among the most social of my special needs dorm mates, and think I can help us step out of our respective comfort zones and make friends. Creating a place for special needs students to find each other across universities and support one another will help us do the sometimes uncomfortable work of leaning out into the "normie" population.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I am uniquely positioned to solve this problem because I am living it. I live in the gap between the two worlds, and have seen how hard it is to bring them together.
  
  My sister is a designer and junior developer, so we should be able to get the basics of a brand and website going, but we could use the help of another more-seasoned web developer.
  
  We have already reached out to Wright State to create the campus organization, and sent correspondence to Cincinnati Children's Hospital "Child Life" Services to coordinate our first visit. It would be great to have a couple "non-technical" people to help write content for the site, take photos, and advance conversations for future events.
  
  A designer or marketer with a flair for working with college campuses to help us create the flyers or facebook ads needed to make our group discoverable would be a big help.
  
  If anyone has experience community building, we would love your advice too! While we want to start with college students, there is opportunity to eventually grow arms of this organization to encompass parents of kids with disabilities, high school students with disabilities, and more!

• 15. Spare Systemic Change submitted by Zach Friedman

  Spare Systemic ChangeSubmitted by Zach Friedman

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  There's a big problem with panhandling in Columbus, especially in areas like Downtown and Short North.
  
  While panhandling can be a way to help those who are in need of immediate help and are living on the street, it is not a system solution to poverty. And sometimes, those who are asking for money on the street aren't doing so as a last resort- they are preying on the generosity of people who seek to help others.
  
  A challenge I, and I know many others experience, is the few times when you realize someone is lying about their story and you see them "scamming" people time and time again, is you get hardened. You stop trusting anyone, because you cannot always tell those who truly in need of help from those who are trying to take advantage of others.
  
  Also, a good friend of mine who works in social enterprise has continually pointed out to me that in Columbus, we have a great network of organizations that are designed to help the homeless.
  
  A quote he mentioned is "If someone is homeless or in need of food in Columbus, they are either unaware of the resources available to them, unable to get to them, or choosing not to access them."
  
  So, how can we make giving feel right? How might we make it systemic? How might we give access to and drive awareness of the amazing resources available to those in need on our streets?

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  So the concept is to give people who are moving into new neighborhoods like little case or wallet or set of stamps/etc they can carry around with them to give to panhandlers on the street when they ask for specific things.
  
  These would have information on how to access help for the specific item, a map on where to get help, and perhaps a bus ticket to access public transportation to get there.
  
  There are a few specific business models we could make in ensuring this is sustainable, like having new developers in areas like Short North pay a small fee to give these items in for new residents, and perhaps there is a revenue share model for the organizations who provide the services.
  
  Lots of options and assumptions to test. I plan on thinking through this more and more, but want to work with a team to do more human-centered research/business model design and product prototyping.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I think I am uniquely able to make this happen because my understanding of systems and ability to frame innovative solutions to key leverage points and human-centered problems.
  
  I have solid storytelling, copywriting and branding skills which I think can help bring the idea to life.
  
  I also live in the Short North and have a solid community of people that I could help sell the concept to.
  
  I would like to recruit people on the team who want to learn about systems design too. My main contribution to the weekend is I hope to mentor/coach/inspire aspiring change makers by empowering them on a project team that is tangible, simple, yet impactful.
  
  To honestly make this happen, I really need the following:
  1) Graphic Designer (potentially with packaging design and/or industrial design experience for the wallet/case/holder thing)
  2) Subject Matter Experts on infrastructure for homeless services in Columbus
  3) Developer for a basic website (solution could be app-based, open to ideas, but I think easiest route is a simple well-designed paper-based solution)
  4) Team of hustlers and connectors who want to be champions, wish to learn and can use this project as a portfolio or platform for their next opportunity

• 16. Shepherd submitted by Chad Gainor

  ShepherdSubmitted by Chad Gainor

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Homelessness.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  There are 1.2M homeless people in America and that number doesn't fluctuate, which makes me wonder how the ~$10B/year we spend on this problem is spent.
  
  If we took shipping containers and put bunk beds in them, then moved homeless into them, while outfitting individuals with inexpensive partial solutions from companies like Samaritan (Bluetooth chip), and maybe training/wellness efforts, we could start solving the problem, instead of just treating the symptoms of it.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I do a little bit of everything. For this I could design/model the units, develop a webpage/crowd-funding campaign for the idea, make the business connections to potentially associated efforts.

• 17. #AutieBot submitted by Briana Miller

  #AutieBotSubmitted by Briana Miller

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  The Auties' voices are smothered by LARGE .orgs such as Autism Speaks that are run by non-Auties with less than 1% of their funding spent on any Auties' and or their families' direct support. Auties seek to share their voice about their version of Autism and also the subsequent Neurodiversity/NeuroMultiVersity social movement started by this community. The Auties' approved and expert story of Autism as based on their lived experience as well as their scholarly research, must be told so the truth can be exposed and shared on the global scale and supported by the masses.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  #AutieBot is a Bot that will work similar to fb's WoeBot, but Autie specific. Plus, #AutieBot's main purpose (version 1) is to share only Autie approved data about Autism and the Autie's story of Autism. Surprisingly, this tends to be very different than many mainstream versions and stereotypes. The #AutieBot also plans to fill the need of friend, teacher, AI Counselor (like WoeBot) to Auties as well as a teacher to general public about the Autie perspective. This will be able to also promote Neurodiversity/NeuroMultiVersity as well as social justice advocacy and political policy changes to best support Autie self-sufficiency efforts.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  I have various fb groups of Autie (a preferred term for people who experience Autism) people as well as their family, friends, and other Ally (people who do not yet claim to experience Autism) types who all are conceptually backing this idea and have already contributed to the formulation of the concept. Plus, this idea is similar, but unique enough to an already successful idea found on fb called WoeBot.

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  I identify as Neurodivergent/NeuroMultiVergent. These are brain orientation words similar to sexual orientation words to explain my savant neurocognitive style. I also am on track for my doctoral degree dissertation research focused on Neurodiversity/NeuroMultiVersity psychometric correlated data trends with subsequent psychological profiles enabling better support for more beneficial client wellness results. I am also currently on several boards, including Franklin County ADAMH Advocacy Council, Autism Power, and Love Me Like a Princess. I am also almost fully licensed as a mental health counselor and a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and specifically one of the founding members of ACA's Ohio Chapter for Social Justice Advocacy. I am also a public speaker, expert and member of various global social support and advocacy groups centered on Neurodiversity/NeuroMultiVersity. I am also an Autastic Ambassador and Consultant for VSA Ohio focused to make Arts more accessible to people experiencing Autism. Finally, I am classically trained by the CIA on psychological profiling of world thought and political leaders. I have the science and Autie data banks (so to speak) covered as well as the tech developers, website/app/company architecture mostly mind-framed out. What I am missing though is the softer side (Company admin, daily operations, etc.) as well as recruiting and organizing the Autie volunteers (I hope, future employees, etc.) as data contributors and organizers. Although I have my current team of Google developer friends at work on the heavy tech and AI, we are always open to people eager to learn with a link-up to the best!

• 18. Stop Food Waste! submitted by Edward Patrick Akinyemi

  Stop Food Waste!Submitted by Edward Patrick Akinyemi

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  Grocery stores and restaurants throw away millions of tonnes of food every year, destroying the environment. Most of this food is often still fine for consumption but past the SELL-by date. When it's thrown away, you get "dumpster divers" who get these food items (that are still edible) from dumpsters but in many areas this is illegal.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  Create a platform where businesses can post what "goodie bags" of excess food they want to sell, for what (sharply discounted) price, and by what date they have to go. The buyer can pay via online payment and must come pick it up by a specified date and time, if not the food is thrown away per usual. The business fully controls what food they post for "discount sale".
  
  The businesses gain by getting at least some income from products they were going to throw away anyway (and lower garbage costs), the buyer gains by getting very cheap products, and the environment gains by reducing food waste.
  
  I used to live in Denmark where a very similar idea was very successful (it's called Too Good To Go). This shows some validation for this idea. "Copia" is also a similar idea.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Brand New

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  As an economist, nothing pains me more than to see market inefficiencies. This problem, clear as day, is clearly one of them. It's a problem with a pretty clear solution because I've seen this solution work well when I lived in Denmark.
  
  I'm going to need a business and marketing expert in order to find a way to sell the idea to businesses/restaurants (and consumers). Without their buy-in, the idea dies. I'm going to need a legal expert to deal with the question of legality of selling food that is close to/past its sell-by date (I think the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act speaks to this?). The legal expert also needs to know whether we should be setup as a 501c3, a B corp, or a forprofit. I'm going to need a developer and coder to make the app for consumers and a security expert to make sure the payment system and app in general is secure against cyberattacks.
  
  I'm going to need a social impact expert to document and communicate the impact of our work to stakeholders. Finally, I'll need a data expert to track and analyze the data.

• 19. Urban Roots submitted by Matthew Walker

  Urban RootsSubmitted by Matthew Walker

  
  

  What is the problem are you solving?

  We are attacking the problem of access to healthy, cheap local food options and surplus food waste.

  
  

  How will this idea solve the problem?

  At its core, our idea is a web application designed to eliminate food deserts in the Columbus area and help build infrastructure around community-based farming initiatives. This means connecting farmers with buyers, working with CSAs and local companies, and promoting the exchange of these locally grown produce via a reliable, innovative application design.

  
  

  Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?

  Partially-vetted

  
  

  How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?

  We are not very far along in the actual development process, as this was an idea that we began to rework after a hackathon last year. We still need to do some market validation and determine how best to solve the problems facing Columbus's urban farming culture.

  
  

  Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?

  Both my partner and I have experience in Java as well as some other programming languages, but we are missing a few critical skills such as database design and more experienced guidance as to how to implement the app. Additionally, we would like help in validating that we are creating a useful solution to this problem. Honestly, just being at GiveBackHack will be a great opportunity to connect with more experienced entrepreneurs and learn.