AT&T Western New York Civic App Challenge winners to be announced

Winners will demo their community-focused mobile apps, and $18,000 in prizes will be awarded

By Julie Molenda

Release Date: December 2, 2014 This content is archived.

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Winners will be awarded prizes totaling $18,000, with a grand prize of $10,000.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — AT&T and regional organizations seeking high-tech solutions to local problems will meet at dig Buffalo on Thursday, Dec. 4 to announce the winners of the AT&T Western New York Civic App Challenge, which asked developers to deliver mobile apps benefiting the community.

What: Join partners from AT&T and the region as they announce the winners of the AT&T Western New York Civic App Challenge.

This two-month virtual hackathon challenged local developers, entrepreneurs, innovators and technologists to build and deliver mobile civic apps that benefit the Western New York community. Winners will be awarded prizes totaling $18,000, with a grand prize of $10,000.

In addition to AT&T, organizers included the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, UB’s Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach, the State University of New York at Fredonia, Z80 Labs, InfoTech Niagara, LaunchNY, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, d!g Buffalo and Hack Upstate.

All apps were judged by a panel of local tech experts, community stakeholders and elected officials, who based their decisions on the apps’ potential impact on Western New York; execution; and creativity or novelty. Winning apps will be demoed following the announcement.

When: Thursday, Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Where: dig Buffalo Headquarters, 640 Ellicott St. Parking is available across the street at 589 Ellicott St.

Who: In addition to finalists, stakeholders who will attend the event include:

  • Sean Ryan, New York State assemblyman
  • Neil Giacobbi, director, public affairs, AT&T
  • Martin Casstevens, manager, business formation and commercialization, University at Buffalo Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach
  • Jessica Edwards, curator, d!g Buffalo
  • Michael Weiner, president and CEO, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
  • Marnie LaVigne, president and CEO, LaunchNY
  • Patrick Finucane, treasurer, InfoTech Niagara
  • Dan Magnuszewski, managing partner, Z80 Labs

Interviews will be available following the news conference with the winners and judges.

Media Contact Information

Julie Molenda
New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences
Tel: 716-881-7997
juliemol@buffalo.edu