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100-hour Challenge: FAQs
What is the 100-hour Challenge?
A contest that challenges your entrepreneurial skills to create the most valuable, innovative or socially beneficial product or service — using materials from UW SWAP (Surplus with a Purpose). Remember, entrepreneurship has three parts: having an idea, taking action and creating value. To succeed in this Challenge, test assumptions, seize opportunities and be creative.
What’s SWAP?
UW SWAP (Surplus with a Purpose) is a campus unit that sells surplus university equipment, ranging from athletic gear to lab equipment. See the SWAP web site for more information, including a sampling of their inventory.
So, what does SWAP have to do with the contest?
Recycling/reusing is key to saving resources. As part of the challenge, you’re required to use an item from UW SWAP and design/build/create something — anything! It could be a functional object, a work of art, a system or process — you’re only limited by your creativity.
Sounds cool! How do I enter the contest?
No pre-registration is required. Simply participate in the Challenge (see details below) and you'll register online when you submit your final entry at the end of the Challenge. Please note, you must be an enrolled UW–Madison student, or an enrolled student at an accredited two- or four-year institution in Wisconsin.
Do I have to enter the competition by myself?
No, you can enter as a team. However, a team captain must register as a team, and s/he must list all team members at that time.
How do I get the SWAP item?
The Challenge will hold a special SWAP sale in the basement of Sellery Hall (B20) on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 from 9 AM to 6 PM. At this sale, we’ll provide you with a voucher worth $15 that can be used to purchase SWAP items.
What can I purchase with my voucher?
Any item at SWAP with a value of $15 or less.
Can I purchase multiple items?
Yes, as long as the total value of all SWAP items purchased does not exceed $15.
Can a friend and I combine our vouchers?
No. Only one voucher may be used per purchase, and only one voucher per team.
But, can a friend and I purchase items separately with separate vouchers and still combine the items to make our entry?
No. Only one voucher purchase may be used per entry, and only one voucher per team.
OK — how about if I purchase my item with my $15 voucher, and then use my own money to purchase additional SWAP items, and use all the items in my entry?
No. The value of the SWAP items used in the entry must not exceed $15.
Can I use any additional materials in my entry besides the SWAP item?
Yes. But the SWAP item must be used as the main component of your entry.
Once I have my SWAP item, then what do I do?
You have 100 hours during the Challenge ( 9 AM Wednesday, February 17 to 1 PM Sunday, February 21) to create something of value, using your SWAP item, and tell us about it by making a digital photo set, electronic slide set, video, or other electronic communication posted on a publicly accessible web site (such as YouTube, Flickr or your personal web site). See our Technical Requirements and Contest Rules for specifics.
How long can my video be? How many slides or photos do you need?
We want you to tell your story concisely. Videos should run approximately 3 minutes, and slides or photos should number 6 or fewer. See our Technical Requirements and Contest Rules for specifics.
Where and how do I submit my entry?
Once you have posted your project on a publicly accessible web site, fill out the online entry form (available at this site starting at 9 AM Wednesday, February 17) telling us who you are, the title of your entry and the URL where others can view your project. It's important that your link works, so please check your URL carefully!
How long do I have to create my masterpiece and submit an entry?
The challenge is 100 hours long, and the clock starts ticking at 9 AM on Wednesday, February 17. All entries must be submitted via the online entry registration form by 1 PM on Sunday, February 21.
What happens next?
All entries will be posted on the 100-hour Challenge site for public viewing. In addition, they will be reviewed by a panel of UW–Madison judges, and three winners will be selected: most creative, most value (money) created, and most social value created. A “People's Choice” prize of $100 will be awarded to the entry that is viewed the most times between 12 PM on Monday, February 22 and 12 PM on Wednesday, February 24 (a 48-hour viewing window).
So this “people’s choice” award… can I tell my friends to look at my entry?
Absolutely.
When will I know whether I have won?
Winners will be announced on Monday, March 1, 2010.
I have a question not covered in these FAQs. Whom may I contact?
First, check the comprehensive Technical Requirements and Contest Rules. If you still have questions, please email us, or call the Office of Corporate Relations, 608-263-2840.