Brandeis International Business School

Ideas turn to impact, in 48 hours. 

More than 150 students designed digital solutions for local nonprofit organizations on Feb. 4-6 at the fifth-annual DeisHacks, a weekend-long hackathon for social good cosponsored by Brandeis International Business School.

The virtual event drew 29 teams of student hackers — a DeisHacks record — with all hacks benefiting more than a dozen nonprofits in the Waltham area. Participants also competed for the chance to win $2,000 in prizes.

The top prize this year was awarded to a team of four students paired with Opportunities for Inclusion, a Waltham-based organization serving the elderly and individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. 

The students designed a community-building app called “CMe” to help program participants make new connections and share common interests and experiences.

“We are providing something that is really beneficial and useful for people with disabilities,” said Sabrina Salov ’22, a member of the winning team. “And we loved having the opportunity to work alongside an amazing nonprofit organization.”

Larry Goldberg, head of accessibility at Yahoo!, delivered a keynote address. Goldberg discussed the importance of accessibility for businesses in the digital age.

“At [DeisHacks] we're really looking at how we can apply technology to improve people's lives,” said Goldberg.

DeisHacks sponsors include the International Business School’s Perlmutter Institute for Global Business Leadership and the Hassenfeld Family Innovation Center.