How our competitions work.
Inventing against the clock.
Makers apply as teams and compete to develop a new commercial product in a 48-hour invent-a-thon weekend. Teams have 48 hours to plan, prototype, and pitch a new idea, within the specifications of a challenge.
Inventor teams build a prototype within challenge specifications.
Teams utilize a variety of tools, materials, work spaces and expert guidance provided by a resource-rich fabrication workshop.
Teams have access to qualified expert “Tool Techs.” Tool techs will assist teams with the provided fabrication tools to prototype ideas of ranging complexity for competitors. No prior invention experience necessary!
Create a promotional video.
Pitch your "looks like feels like" prototype to the judges.
The smell of victory!
The Winning team receives:
Cash Prize
Custom Make48 Trophy
ALL TEAMS will receive:
Exposure
Showcase your talents and idea to top brands, investors and industry experts.
Education
Learn about the tools, materials and tricks available to help you prototype an idea! Led by fabrication experts, see and experience, hands-on, prototyping techniques with the latest tools such as 3-D printers, laser cutters and molding/forming machines.
Networking
Meet speakers, sponsors, other team finalists and VIP guests. Influential and knowledgeable people in the invention community, gathered to share, help and see you amaze.
Lots of FUN!
Teams will take away more than they expected and do more than they thought they would…or could!
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
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2 to 4 members per team, captain must be over the age of 18
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Team applications will be reviewed and finalists notified personally
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If selected, you’ll receive a packet with guidelines that must be signed and a schedule of events
Our past competitions were awesome!
Make48 | September 2022 | Indy City Series
Location
Fishers Maker Playground, Fishers IN
Competition Theme
Food Preservation & the Supply Chain: Food at the Right Place at the Right Time
Make48 | August 2022 | Madison City Series
Location
FabLab Stoughton, Stoughton WI
Competition Theme
Sustainable Mobility
Make48 | July 2022 | Milwaukee City Series
Location
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee WI
Competition Theme
Interactive Outdoor Play
Make48 | June 2022 | Wichita City Series
Location
GoCreate, A Koch Collaborative, Wichita KS
Competition Theme
Community Gardening
Make48 | March 2022 | Season 5
Location
GoCreate, A Koch Collaborative, Wichita KS
Competition Theme
STEM Toys
Make48 | October 2021 | Hartford City Series
Location
MakerspaceCT, Hartford CT
Competition Theme
Outdoor Lifestyle
Make48 | September 2021 | Indy City Series
Location
Machyne @ 16 Tech, Indianapolis, IN
Competition Theme
Empowering Health @ Home
Make48 | August 2021 | Madison City Series
Location
The Bodgery, Madison WI
Competition Theme
Outdoor Play
Make48 | June 2021 | Wichita City Series
Location
GoCreate, A Koch Collaborative, Wichita KS
Competition Theme
Sustainability & Environmental Stewarship-Doing More with Less
Make48 | March 2020 | Season 4
Location
Science City, Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri
Competition Theme
Storage Solutions
Make48 | August 2018 | Season 3
Location
Stanley Black & Decker Makerspace in Towson, Maryland
Competition Theme
Emergency Preparedness - College vs. College
Make48 | September 2017 | Season 2
Location
Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri
Competition Theme
Outdoor Entertainment
Make48 | October 2016 | Season 1
Location
Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri
Competition Theme
Innovative Household Products
Make48 | June 2016
Location
The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC
Competition Theme
Eco-Friendly Household Products
Make48 | October 2015
Location
Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri
Competition Theme
Barbecue
Make48 | April 2015
Location
Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri
Competition Theme
Kitchen