Silicon Prairie News

In a few weeks, Omaha-based Grattifi Tracker will hold its first-ever Government 2.0 Innovation Challenge (G2IC), a weekend competition in which college students will be required to develop a technology solution to aid government with public safety.

The competition kicks off Friday, November 13th at the Graffiti Tracker (GT) office (12165 W. Center Road, Suite 80) with a Gov 2.0 discussion at 7 p.m. Contestants will then have access to GT's office all weekend to build out their ideas, which will be presented to a panel of judges Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

I'm especially excited about this competition for three reasons:

1. Friday's Gov 2.0 discussion will feature Omaha City Council President Garry Gernandt and Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing, two of the judges for the competition -- I hope they share their thoughts on innovations we could possibly see locally in the next couple of years.
2. I've been asked to serve as one of the five judges -- it'll be a pleasure joining the two above as well as Tim Kephart and Stefanie Monge from GT.
3. The winner of the competition not only receives a $1,000 cash prize but he or she is also awarded a paid internship to further develop their idea -- I think this is a really cool way to bring candidates into a company to fill an intern position.

To compete, registration costs $10 in advance or $25 on site, but GT has given us three free registration codes to give away. To earn one, leave a comment below with what you hope they'll be serving for lunch. You'll then receive a code from me via email.

Here's more information on the event (for complete details visit g2ic.org/details) as well as an announcement video with Tim.

Gov 2.0? Governments at all levels are increasingly using technology to connect with citizens, resulting in higher levels of transparency, accountability and civic engagement.

Sweet Prizes!

• Grand Prize: $1,000 cash + a PAID internship at Graffiti Tracker to further develop your innovation
• 2nd Place: $750 cash
• Best Design: iPod Touch

Participants will have five minutes to present a mock-up of their software, web or mobile applications at the Graffiti Tracker office at 5:30 p.m. Sunday to a judging panel including Graffiti Tracker founder and CEO Timothy Kephart, Omaha City Council President Garry Gernandt, Douglas County Treasurer John W. Ewing, Jr., Danny Schreiber of Silicon Prairie News and former entrepreneurship reporter Stefanie Monge.

The office will be open to participants and observers at all times during the competition. We will keep you fueled with plenty of snacks, caffeine and inspiration! Remember, you have to be at the Graffiti Tracker office for at least 24 hours during the course of the competition.