Skip to main content

100-hour Challenge FAQs

What is the 100-hour Challenge?
A contest that challenges your entrepreneurial skills to create the most valuable, innovative or socially beneficial product or service — using materials from UW SWAP (Surplus with a Purpose). Remember, entrepreneurship has three parts: having an idea, taking action and creating value. To succeed in this Challenge, test assumptions, seize opportunities and be creative.
What’s SWAP?
UW SWAP (Surplus with a Purpose) is a campus unit that sells surplus university equipment, ranging from athletic gear to lab equipment. See the SWAP web site for more information, including a sampling of their inventory.
So, what does SWAP have to do with the contest?
April 22 is Earth Day, and recycling/reusing are key to saving resources. As part of the challenge, you’re required to use an item from UW SWAP and design/build/create something — anything! It could be a functional object, a work of art, a system or process — you’re only limited by your creativity.
Sounds cool! How do I enter the contest?
Starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, register online and download a $10 voucher redeemable for purchase of materials from UW–Madison’s SWAP shop. You must be currently enrolled at UW–Madison, and you must be present at the meeting to enter the competition as an individual.
Do I have to enter the competition by myself?
No, you can enter as a team. However, a team captain must register as a team, and s/he must list all team members at that time.
How do I get the SWAP item?
You redeem your $10 voucher at a special SWAP sale held at the Inn Wisconsin Room in the Memorial Union on Friday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What can I purchase with my voucher?
Any item at SWAP with a value of $10 or less.
Can I purchase multiple items?
Yes, as long as the total value of all SWAP items purchased does not exceed $10.
Can a friend and I combine our vouchers to purchase a more expensive item?
No. Only one voucher may be used per purchase.
But, can a friend and I purchase items separately with separate vouchers and still combine the items to make our entry?
No. Only one voucher purchase may be used per entry.
OK — how about if I purchase my item with my $10 voucher, and then use my own money to purchase additional SWAP items, and use all the items in my entry?
No. The value of the SWAP items used in the entry must not exceed $10.
Can I use any additional materials in my entry besides the SWAP item?
Yes. But the SWAP item must be used as the main component of your entry.
Once I have my SWAP item, then what do I do?
You have 100 hours to create something of value, using your SWAP item, and tell us about it by making a digital photo set, electronic slide set, video, or other electronic communication posted on a publicly accessible web site (such as YouTube, Flickr or your personal web site). See our Technical Requirements and Contest Rules for specifics.
How long can my video be? How many slides or photos do you need?
We want you to tell your story concisely. Videos should not exceed 2 minutes, and slides or photos are limited to a maximum of three. See our Technical Requirements and Contest Rules for specifics.
Where and how do I submit my entry?
Once you have posted your project on a publicly accessible web site, fill out the online entry form (available at this site starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 17) telling us who you are, the title of your entry and the URL where others can view your project. It’s important that your link works, so please check your URL carefully!
How long do I have to create my masterpiece and submit an entry?
The challenge is 100 hours long, and the clock starts ticking at 6 p.m. on Thursday April 17. All entries must be submitted via the online entry registration form by 10 p.m. Monday, April 21.
What happens next?
All entries will be posted on the 100-hour Challenge site for public viewing. In addition, they will be reviewed by a panel of UW–Madison judges, and three winners will be selected: most creative, most value (money) created, and most social value created. Each winner will receive a $300 cash prize. A “people’s choice” prize of $100 will be awarded to the entry that is viewed the most times between noon on Tuesday, April 22 and noon on Thursday, April 24 (a 48-hour viewing window).
So this “people’s choice” award… can I tell my friends to look at my entry?
Absolutely.
When will I know whether I have won?
Winners will be announced on Monday, April 28, 2008.
I have a question not covered in these FAQs. Whom may I contact?
First, check the comprehensive Technical Requirements and Contest Rules. If you still have questions, please email us, or call the Office of Corporate Relations, 608/263-2840.

Presented by the Office of Corporate Relations with a grant from the Kauffman Foundation.