Startupifier a group dedicated to linking students with startups, has announced a new tech event, and it has the surprising name of Occupy Notman. So this is what I have in mind if you mention “Occupy” and hacking:
With the temperature and also the occupy movement looking for a place, is Notman getting involved in the occupy movement? No, it’s a hackathon! The eventbrite page is here: RSVP if you want to occupy and hack at Notman.
Here’s an interview with Marc Beaupré, startupifier member, hackathon organizer, and also Notman residant:
Q: Is the event focused on technology, or is it focused on ideas with a business model?
The event just happens to focus on technology, but that’s just because of the industry most of our members are involved in, and the ecosystem that’s around technology. We would really love non-tech ideas at the event. We have had a couple in the past, but I think the tech majority might make people that were considering other ideas shy away. So, we’ll definitely continue to explore ideas on how to improve our ability to host events which are accessible to all ideas, but right now technology is the majority of what goes on.
The second thing is that while we try to encourage students to consider working at startups and to start their own businesses, the event isn’t just for business ideas. We love to see free, open-source and charitable projects happen too. Really, the #1 thing is that people come to the event to create something. No matter what, that process of creation will teach them something and maybe help themselves or others, which is really what we’re all about.
Q: so what’s up with the occupy theme? Is it related to “camping” during the night at Notman? or it’s just for fun?
The occupy theme is just something we came up with to keep the events fresh. Everyone has heard of the real occupy this or that events, and we wanted to have some fun with it. And, it was a chance to throw a unique and interesting event. So it’s poking fun at the occupiers a little bit, but our intention is to experiment with the format of the events. We’re still a young organization, and so for now we want to work to distinguish ourselves a bit, and to find out what works and what doesn’t.
Q: What kind of people are you expecting at the event? students?
The objective of Startupifier is to connect students with startups. So we do a lot of work with student groups, either in CS departments or in the entrepreneurship area, to try to promote startups and get students involved with the community. So our big focus is trying to encourage their participation. However, we also need the tech community to be there for students to meet and interact with. So, we can’t have the events without them, and so they’re equally encouraged to come to the events. I think we just have to work harder to get students to come out, so that’s where more of our time is spent. But the event is open to anyone with an interest.
Q: Interesting in seeing so many designer tickets. Are you doing special outreach to designer groups?
Honestly, that was done without much thought. hahaha. Last time, I think that we just had one group of tickets, but it was suggested that we break it up. So, I just put out equal numbers of designers and developers. Though, we definitely expect more developers.
Q: who are the guest judges? any criteria for the winner selection?
The guest judges are actually still being worked on. It’s a bit of a slow process to contact people to come be judges because I like to wait for replies before moving on to the next person. But, what I know for sure is that they will be people from all parts of the community. Last time we had some amazing judges, all of whom are pretty active and well known in the Montreal tech community.
The criteria is always pretty loose since we never know what types of ideas will present in the event. So, we don’t take it too serious and will sometimes create categories at the last minute to recognize something special in a group that didn’t fit in to an existing category. But, generally judges look for what was accomplished, how polished it is, how innovative it is, how useful it is and how they liked the presentation.
Q: are you doing anything special for the winning team, after the event?
It’s yet to be determined whether or not there will be 1 winner, but most likely we’ll have a few winners. We do have prizes, but we’re going to hold off announcing what they are until the event. If the teams aren’t too exhausted after the event, we might go for a few beers afterwards.
That’s all folks, if you’re free in that weekend, you know what to do: RSVP
