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Champion ChangeMakers ‘Social Innovators Hackathon’ to take place in Kells Tech Hub
Meath Enterprise has joined forces with the Community Enterprise Association of Ireland (CEAI) to develop a nationwide hackathon event, Champion Changemakers, which will take place from 23-25 September in Kells Tech Hub.

The hackathon will bring local communities together to solve real-world, everyday societal or economic challenges in ways that will positively impact our ever-changing world. Individuals, community organisations, networks or special interest groups are all encouraged to take part.
The weekends will take a ‘Dragons Den’ type approach to community-driven social innovation solutions building – solving community challenges by engaging community groups to create solutions with the support and guidance of mentors and facilitators over that weekend.
Winning teams will be selected under three different categories
- Economic Inequality
- Environment and Climate Action
- Human Wellbeing
Ideas will be shortlisted to participate in a national Pitch Fest in October at Innovate Communities Social Innovation Hub, Dublin 11. The outright winner will benefit from a prize bursary of supports with an estimated value of €10,000 to set them on their founder journey towards the establishment of a sustainable, successful and impact-driven social enterprise.
You don’t need an idea to come along, just the passion to make a change and we will help you do the rest. The event will will be officially opened by Minister Helen McEntee at 5.00pm on Friday 23rd September in Kells Tech Hub (see event times below). The weekend will be a great opportunity to get focused time on your idea, get expert advice from mentors and peers, and attend workshops on Design Thinking 101 – Prototyping and Pitching.

TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT PLEASE – CLICK HERE
The hackathon / event schedule is as follows;
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Friday 23rd Sept
5.00-5:30pm Registration & Official Opening by Minister Helen McEntee TD
Refreshments available upon arrival.
5.30-6:00pm Problem/Opportunity Pitch
6:00-7:00pm Problem/Opportunity Research
7.00-7:30pm Close
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Saturday 24th Sept
9;00-11:00am Ideation & basic prototypes
11:00-11:15am Break time
11:15-12:15pm Feedback
12:15-1:15pm Consolidation
1:15pm-2:00pm Lunch time
2:00-3:00pm Draft MVP and Business Model Canvas
3:00-4:00pm Mentor Feedback on MVP and BMC
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Sunday 25th Sept
9:00am Hub opens in Kells
10:00-11:00am Create your Ad
11:00-11:15am Break time
11:15-12:00pm Create your Ad
12.00-1.00pm Gallery Walk / Judging
Special Guest Judges include;
Gavin Duffy – Dragons Den Investor / Entrepreneur
John Cunningham – Entrepreneur
1:00-1:30pm Lunch time
1:30- 2:00pm 12 winners announced
2:00pm Closure
Further details to follow….