Rocket.Build 2019: Bigger and better
As I reflect on how far Rocket.Build has come, I can’t help but think back to the very first coding challenge we hosted in 2013. What started as a small hackathon during the annual Rocket Leadership Summit in Boston has grown to a series of global events that I look forward to every year. From the first class of fewer than 100 Rocketeers, Rocket.Build has spread our mission outward, engaging with a larger community of students, customers and partners to create meaningful solutions that solve critical business and technical problems.
So far in 2019 we have hosted a series of Rocket.Build Community hackathons that have allowed hundreds of college students from cities all over the world – including Dalian, Bengaluru, Pune, Denver and Austin – to collaborate with Rocketeers and our partners. Their focus has been on building more than 100 projects addressing pressing social issues such as homelessness, transportation and mobility, education and helping underserved families. I am proud of a lot of things we do at Rocket, but creating solutions that help people in need is one of our biggest accomplishments.
This week, 210 participants from nine countries gathered in Waltham to build 55 projects that tackled themes including AI-driven next-generation experiences, deep data discovery, disruptive user experiences, and re-imagined Rocketeer experiences. This year’s event represented how far Rocket.Build has evolved over the last six years. This was the first time that our summer interns actively participated in the projects, and after being a “Rocketeers-only” event for five years, four other companies joined in the teams’ builds. As we have grown and reached out to a wider network, it has been incredible to see the unique perspectives that our teams have brought to solving real-world problems.
While many companies are just beginning to recognize the value of hosting hackathons, here at Rocket we’ve always known how important it is to use our knowledge and experience, work with people in our community, and create thoughtful innovations that address today’s issues. I continue to be amazed by how Rocket.Build has evolved around the globe, and I can’t wait to see what impressive solutions our Rocket.Builders dream up next.
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