Students gain problem-solving experience at Hack-It Bracket

Khun Maung ’19 of Yangon, Myanmar; Karma Gurung ’19 of Kathmandu, Nepal; Oscar Arzate ’19 of Chicago, Illinois; and Ermias Woldu ’19 of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, represented Ripon College at The Commons Hack-It Bracket, sponsored by Sartori Cheese in Sheboygan on Nov. 17.

The Commons is a collaboration between Wisconsin colleges and universities, Wisconsin businesses and Wisconsin entrepreneurs. The program blends student startup ventures with corporate innovation and layers on more than 500 mentoring professionals to give students a truly unique, real-world experience. The main objective of the November competition was to find a company for cross promotion and strategic partnership with Satori Cheese. Participants engaged in competitive problem-solving.

Khun won round one with an idea of a do-it-yourself cheese-making program for families at Whole Foods Markets.

The Commons Hack-It Bracket is the “March Madness” version of a hackathon. A select small group of college students from across southeast Wisconsin join a company and The Commons for a day of innovation. Students receive a real business challenge, run it through a variety of ideation exercises and form great ideas to rise through the ranks. Students push their creative limits, develop awesome prototypes and meet and network with industry leaders, fellow students and great people.

Students interested in participating in future Hack-It Brackets can contact the Center for Career and Professional Development.

(Photo: Karma Gurung ’19, left, Khun Maung ’19, Ermias Woldu ’19 and Oscar Arzate ’19)