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Make48 Roles

It Takes a Village

Make48 is a 48-hour competition where teams are given a challenge, must build a physical prototype, sales sheet, and a 1-minute marketing video, and then pitch it to judges. The twist is that we have tool technicians and access to a Makerspace full of equipment and tools to help the teams build almost anything their imaginations can come up with to solve the challenge.  Collaboration is the key to success.

Two episodes are produced covering each regional competition. The top two winners of each move on to the Nationals competition filmed in November.

We can't do this without the support from the community during the competitions.  Scroll below to find out the details about each role.

Make48 City Events

Make48 City Events

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Mentors

Your Role: You are the INDUSTRY experts, not one of the tool techs that will be building.  The teams will ask about manufacturing, trends, retailers, marketing, etc. You have insider TIPS on the category and should guide the teams.

Time Commitment:
Friday 10AM-4PM
Saturday 10AM-4PM
Sunday: Pitch to the Judges starts at 1PM

What to Wear: Avoid bright colors, Business or Business Casual, No big logos, No hats
 

Watch this Video:

two mentors standing at a team's table with two team members sitting talking about their prototype
two team members from Baby Cactus standing in front of the three person focus group

Focus Group

Your Role: You will be giving your opinion of the teams' product ideas as a CONSUMER.  Please give constructive advice.  You should NOT tell them to pivot unless they have two invention ideas.

Time Commitment:
Friday arrive at 2:30 PM
Focus Groups will run from 3-5 PM
Sunday Judging starts at 1PM (Optional)

What to Wear: Avoid bright colors, Business or Business Casual, No big logos, No hats



 

Judges

Your Role: You will judge the team pitches and prototypes during the closing ceremonies of the competition.

  • Each pitch will be 10 mins total including Q&A

  • The clock will be visible to both you and the teams

  • Ideally, one question from each judge at least per pitch

  • Be fun & engaging

  • Don't attempt to use the prototypes (in case of breakage)


Time Commitment:

Sunday arrive at 11AM

Review Criteria 11-11:30 AM

Meeting with Tom & Lunch 11:00-11:30 AM

Interviews with film crew 11:30 AM-12:00 PM

Pre-judging from 12 PM-12:45 PM

Pitches 1PM-3PM

Deliberation 3-4PM (team refreshments)

Announce winners 4:15PM

What to Wear: Judges tend to wear business casual, not too dressy. Avoid bright colors, Business or Business Casual, No big logos, No hats

Watch this Video:

three judges sittting at a table waiting for the team pitches
two patent attorneys talking with a team at thier table

Patent Attorneys

Your Role: The teams will brainstorm for a few hours before they will be ready to meet with you.  Your job is to help guide them through the research process of making sure their products are not infringing on any existing patents. Bring your own laptops and you'll have access to the WiFi

Time Commitment:
Friday:
Arrive at 1PM & Meet with teams until 4PM
Saturday:
Arrive at 10AM & Meet with teams until 1PM (this is only needed if teams need to meet again)
Sunday Judging starts at 1PM (Optional)

What to Wear: Avoid bright colors, Business or Business Casual, No big logos, No hats

Tool Techs

Your Role: You are the experts in prototype fabrication, so teams will be asking you to build their ideas.  Using the sponsored equipment and equipment found in the host makerspace, you will help bring their ideas to life!

Time Commitment:
Friday 10AM-4PM or 4PM-10PM
Saturday 7AM-4PM or 4PM-LATE
Sunday 7AM-11AM
Sunday 1PM Team Pitches (Optional)

What to Wear: Closed toe shoes, comfortable pants/shorts and supplied Make48 Tool Tech T-shirt.
 

Watch this Video:

team member miles standing between two tool techs looking at acryllic
three volunteers sitting together smiling

General Volunteers

Your Role: You will be helping out the Make48 team with anything from setting up signage & chairs, to cleaning up after meals have been catered to making coffee or picking up things around town.

Time Commitment:
Friday:
Time Slots from 8AM-7PM
Saturday:
Time Slots from 7AM-7PM
Sunday:
Time Slots from 7AM-11AM
Team Pitches start at 1PM (Optional)

What to Wear: Comfortable Pants/Shorts and shoes plus the Make48 supplied Volunteer t-shirt

Watch this Video:

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