University of Wisconsin-Stout

Make48 is a 48-hour competition where teams are presented with a challenge and tasked to build a physical prototype, create a sales sheet, produce a 1-minute marketing video and pitch their big idea to a panel of judges. ​

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​Distinguished by career-focused applied learning and research, University of Wisconsin-Stout—Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University—provides students with the environments and experience to succeed in engineering, technology, design, management and more. One of its nearly 300 campus labs and studios, the Center for Innovation & Development’s Fab Lab offers innovators, creatives and makers access to 3D printers, laser cutters and other leading-edge digital fabrication tools to bring their imagination to life. Through partnership networks that include the MIT, The Fab Foundation and others, the Fab Lab is expanding its impact to inspire PreK-12 students around Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.

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In July 2026, UW-Stout will host the final play-off event of the year. Students from the Innovation Classroom Experience will meet at UW-Stout to tackle a mystery challenge. The event will host the teams that were the TOP winners of their respective brackets.

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For this challenge, collaboration is the key to success. Many people have big ideas but few possess the resources to develop a prototype that turns them into reality. To build anything, different skills, materials and equipment must work together to create a final product. Make48 allows this process to be achieved with a fun, fast-paced, and educational event. First place team will win $2,000 and the top two teams will advance on to Season 10 Nationals!