Spatial Intelligence Ideathon
Interdisciplinary Ideathon + Student Pitch Competition
Explore an emerging technology, collaborate with students from different fields, and develop a creative real-world application around a patented innovation.
No previous AR knowledge or experience is required.
📍 Location: UW Tech Exploration Lab, 1403 University Ave, 2nd floor
🎓 Open to: UW–Madison students
👥 Team size: 2–3 students
🍕 Food and drinks provided
🏆 $1,500 total prize pool
About the Event
Join the UW Tech Exploration Lab, UW researcher Professor Kevin Ponto, and ZaiNar for a one-day ideathon focused on Spatially Grounded AI for Augmented Reality (SGA-AR).
Developed by Professor Kevin Ponto’s lab at UW–Madison, SGA-AR allows teams using AR devices to share a live map of a physical environment. The system can identify people and objects, display real-time annotations and navigation paths, and connect remote users to the same spatial view.
Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants will identify a real coordination problem and propose a practical product, service, or application using the technology.
No prototype is required. Teams will be evaluated on creativity, feasibility, impact, and how clearly they communicate their idea.
The event will conclude with live pitches, judging, and an awards ceremony.
Agenda
9:30–10:00 AM — Check-In, Team Assignments, and Icebreaker
10:00–11:00 AM — Opening Presentation and Technology Demos:
SGA-AR and ZaiNar
11:00–11:30 AM — Brainstorming Begins
Work through the five founder questions.
11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Lunch and Early Idea Sharing
12:00–12:30 PM — Team Work Session
12:30–1:00 PM — Customer Validation Checkpoint
Three-minute simulation per team.
1:00–1:30 PM — Mandatory Team Check-In with Kevin Ponto
1:30–3:00 PM — Concept and Pitch Development
3:00–4:00 PM — Final Presentations and Judging
4:00–4:30 PM — Awards and Closing Remarks
4:30 PM — Event Ends
The Challenge
Develop an original product, service, or application using SGA-AR.
Strong ideas should clearly explain:
The problem being addressed
The proposed solution
How SGA-AR supports the idea
Who would benefit from the solution
Why the concept is useful, feasible, and distinct
How the idea could be developed or brought to market
Teams may approach the challenge from a technical, business, design, research, social-impact, or interdisciplinary perspective.
Presentation Requirements
Each team will present its idea live during the final judging session.
Prize Structure
The competition will feature two tracks, with prizes awarded in each track:
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $250
Hosted By
UW Tech Exploration Lab
The UW Tech Exploration Lab supports the next generation of startups emerging from UW–Madison by connecting students with real industry challenges and opportunities to experiment with emerging technologies.
In Collaboration With
ZaiNar
ZaiNar develops advanced positioning and connectivity technologies that enable precise, real-time location capabilities across a range of applications.
This ideathon is designed to help students explore how university research and intellectual property can become meaningful products, ventures, and real-world solutions.