In a remarkable effort to democratize access to technology and foster local innovation, Seeed Studio Ranger Gabriel Alejandro Giraldo Santiago, in collaboration with the University of Manizales and supported by companies like Platzi, led an extraordinary program focused on training and developing technological solutions. This ambitious initiative culminated in an exciting Hackathon that brought together students, entrepreneurs, research leaders, and professionals passionate about technology.

A Journey of Learning and Innovation

The program kicked off with a series of workshops designed to introduce participants to the world of vision AI, prototyping with XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, and structuring innovative projects. Each workshop served as a stepping stone towards empowering the community with practical tools and applied knowledge.

Workshop Timeline

1. November 12: The first workshop with 23 Systems and Telecommunications Engineering students.
2. November 15: A nighttime session with 18 students from the same faculty.
3. November 21: An open workshop for the local maker community, with 22 participants, including Electronics and Biomedical students, AI research leaders, and local entrepreneurs.
4. November 22: An intensive night session for seven senior Systems Engineering students, complemented by five virtual attendees who joined due to weather conditions.

These sessions strengthened participants’ practical skills in technologies like SenseCraft AI and advanced libraries such as Roboflow, preparing them to tackle the challenges of the final Hackathon.

The Grand Final: Hackathon of Innovation

On November 25, the program culminated with a vibrant Hackathon at the University of Manizales. The event gathered participants from various disciplines across the city, who worked tirelessly in teams to solve real-world challenges using Vision AI and XIAO technology.

Hackathon Dynamics

• Intensive training in creating custom models with SenseCraft.
• Project structuring on Hackster.io and crafting effective pitches.
• 3-minute team presentations, followed by 2 minutes of Q&A from a panel of expert judges.

Awards and Recognition

Participants didn’t just walk away with new knowledge and experience—they were rewarded for their effort and creativity:

• Platzi virtual scholarships with personalized learning paths.
• Smartwatches for outstanding innovative solutions.
• Tech kits, including XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, XIAO ESP32C3, advanced ToF kits, and Nordic Semiconductor development kits.
• Toolkits and virtual licenses for platforms like Notion.
• 6 months of mentoring and incubation to turn ideas into sustainable business models.

Certificates, signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Néstor Jaime Castaño Pérez, and Ranger Gabriel Alejandro Giraldo, were a testament to the program’s impact on each participant.

Acknowledging Partners and Judges

This program was made possible by the unwavering support and commitment of the University of Manizales, especially Luis Carlos Correa Ortiz, who played a key role in its execution.

Special thanks to the expert judges and mentors who guided and evaluated the teams with dedication:

• Daniel Felipe Gómez Carmona: Specialist in gamification and educational innovation.
• Joan Esteban Torres González: Mechatronic Engineer with expertise in research projects.
• Carlos Eduardo López: Visual Arts Master with a focus on interactive innovation.
• Luz Paola Díaz Valencia: Digital marketing strategist and consultant for entrepreneurs.

Each of them received special recognition for their invaluable contributions to the Hackathon.

A Transformative Program

In total, over 96 individuals actively participated in this initiative, proving that with access to technology and knowledge, innovation can thrive in local contexts. This program marked a milestone, opening doors to new opportunities for developing solutions that turn challenges into positive impact.

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead, we thank all the participants, partners, and judges. This is just the beginning of a maker community ready to change the world!