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NM Tech Talks to host inaugural software hackathon as organizers seek to build momentum
Angelica Maestas, director of strategic partnerships at Builders VC, left, and co-founder of NM Tech Talks, Vicki Apodaca, right, at the Builders VC office on Monday.
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New Mexico boasts multiple deep-tech startups and rich roots in traditional sciences through its national labs and universities.
But coming from the world of software development, Vicki Apodaca feels she and others are a bit of a 鈥渘iche group鈥� in the state. In an effort to bring the ecosystem together, NM Tech Talks will host a first-of-its-kind software hackathon.
鈥淚 would be so bold (as) to say it鈥檚 probably one of the largest software hackathons in New Mexico,鈥� Apodaca, co-founder of NM Tech Talks, said.
The will run Saturday through Sunday at the Builders VC office in sa国际传媒官网网页入口. Participants, many of whom are established in their fields, will have 48 hours to pitch and build prototypes before ending the competition with demos and judging.
Design challenges will revolve around climate and energy, Apodaca said. Participants will have access to tools for their builds and hands-on guidance from mentors. Competition judges come from startups like UP.Abundance, as well as experts from state national labs and higher education institutions.
The convergence of software and artificial intelligence with climate issues is not always heard together, Apodaca said, lending to the 鈥済reat fit鈥� of hosting at Builders VC.
Angelica Maestas, Builders VC director of strategic partnerships, said the company focuses on investments in health care, climate and agriculture technology. With the venture firm based in California, she said its New Mexico branch wants to do something different.
鈥淲hat we are doing is really investing in the startup ecosystem development and bringing knowledge and networks to the community to, one day, have a venture-ready pipeline of founders to invest in,鈥� Maestas said.
Maestas said ecosystem development is contingent on fostering good partnerships, adding that even just providing the space for NM Tech Talks鈥� event is a way to bring everyone together. Builders VC also wants to host a 鈥渉ealth tech hackathon鈥� in the future, through which Apodaca is helping get going, Maestas said.
Hackathon prizes include $500 for first place, $250 for second and $100 for third, Apodaca said, made possible by local entrepreneurs, startups and businesses. Apodaca said the community鈥檚 support lets her know she鈥檚 鈥渄oing the right thing.鈥�
Marking the inaugural hackathon, Apodaca is already looking forward to next year鈥檚 event in April.
鈥淎 lot of us are just ready to get our hands dirty and build,鈥� Apodaca said.
