University Housing
100 Hour Challenge

100-Hour Challenge: Nov. 11–15, 2021

Put your creativeness to the test in this accessible-to-all innovation contest. You could win $1,200 in cash prizes in one weekend!

2021 Sign Up Form

Create and pitch a valuable, innovative or socially beneficial product or service using materials you can find in your dorm room, home or apartment. Think like an entrepreneur and keep in mind the three elements of entrepreneurship: having an idea, taking action and creating value. To succeed in this Challenge, you should test assumptions, seize opportunities and be creative. The contest is administered by the StartUp Learning Community at UW-Madison and is open to all currently enrolled UW-Madison students.

Sponsors: StartUp Learning Community, Wisconsin School of Business, UW Makerspace, MDS SWAP, and Innovate Network.

If you have any questions at any point either before or during the contest, contact sari.judge@housing.wisc.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Rules

How it Works

  1. View the approved items list here starting the morning of November 11 at 9 a.m. Register for the contest and send a photo of your “materials” before you begin creating.
  2. Work alone or with a team to build and document your working prototype…have fun and be creative!
  3. Submit and pitch your creation by posting a video or photo series/presentation to a public website (here are some video submissions from previous years)
  4. Winners will be selected in three categories: Most Potential Revenue Value, Most Creative, and Most Potential Social Value.

Approved Material List

  • A desk fan
  • A waste basket
  • A pillow
  • Baskets or bins
  • Up to four pairs of socks
  • Pens and pencils
  • Rubber bands
  • Scrunchies
  • A pair of shoe laces
  • A light source (flashlight, lightbulb, etc.)
  • Four visuals printed out from online
  • A key ring
  • Soda cans and bottles
  • Paper of any type
  • Water bottles
  • Coffee mugs
  • A t-shirt
  • Hangers
  • Snack food and/or snack food packaging
  • Cardboard boxes/cardboard
  • Face masks
  • Toiletries and toiletry packaging

Important Dates

  • November 11: view the list of approved items
  • November 15: submit your video/photo gallery of your prototype by 1 p.m.

If you still have questions after consulting the contest rules and technical requirements, please contact the StartUp Learning Community Program Coordinator, Sari Judge, or call 608-332-3941.

Past Winners

2021 Results

2020 Results

2019 Results

2018 Results

2017 Results