How our hackathon project inspired Google to fight the opioid crisis

For those who have never participated in a hackathon, it’s a unique experience. There’s something about the combination of sleep deprivation, junk food, tight deadlines, and a competitive (but collaborative) spirit that gives birth to innovative ideas. Yet, for all their popularity, a common critique of hackathons is that they have little real impact. Once sugar highs fade, Red Bull wears off, and participants return to their daily routines, the ideas and prototypes they worked so hard to develop usually fall by the wayside. This is a shame. While many of the projects developed at hackathons are meager prototypes, the ideas behind those prototypes can have real merit. With additional work, some supportive partners, and a bit of luck, these ideas can grow to have real impact. I know because it happened to my team. <a href="https://towardsdatascience.com/how-our-hackathon-project-inspired-google-to-fight-the-opioid-crisis-61f2ad0b2252">Read More</a>