12:00-1:00 pm: Reality Hack Startup Stories

• Room 26-100

• The Startup Stories session highlights the journeys of startups from the MIT Reality Hack community. Speakers will share their challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way, offering inspiration and insights to the Experiential Tech community of innovators, technologists, and entrepreneurs.

2:00-3:00 pm: Validate your big idea w/ MIT Entrepreneurship Center

• Room 4-370

• The MIT Entrepreneurship JetPack is an AI tool that accelerates the entrepreneurial process by guiding users through the 24-step “Disciplined Entrepreneurship” framework. It provides rapid insights and answers to startup-related questions.

3:00-4:00 pm: Setting Up the Winning Team + Pitch to Match w/ Di Ye

• Room 4-370

• How to launch a new team that wins under stress. This workshop provides hands-on practice to help teams set up productive dynamics from the gecko. Come with your hackathon project idea. You will have an opportunity to do a 45-sec pitch on your ideas to recruit teammates.

4:00-5:00 pm: Video Submission 101 - Engage and Impress Your Audience w/ Patrick Burton

• Room 4-159

• In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a compelling submission video that effectively communicates your innovation, captures attention, and leaves a lasting impact. Turn your project into an unforgettable story and maximize your chances of success.

4:00-5:00 pm: Pitching 101 - The Power of Storytelling w/ Rob Hughes

• Room 4-153

• This workshop teaches participants how to craft compelling pitches by leveraging the art of storytelling. It focuses on creating emotional connections, structuring narratives, and delivering impactful messages to captivate audiences and communicate ideas effectively.

9:00-11:45 pm: Founders Lab Team Application Window

• To be announced.

8:00 am: Founders Lab Teams Acceptance Announcement

• We’ll announce the teams accepted into the Founders Lab program. Be sure to submit your application and keep an eye on Discord and your email for the next steps!

11:00-12:00 pm: Founders Lab Startup Hackers Orientation

• Room TBD

• This is a mandatory orientation session for all accepted Founders Lab teams. Check your acceptance email for the room location and other details.

2:00-5:00 pm: Subject-Matter Expert (SME) Office Hours

• Room 32-155, Room 32-123

• Optional SME Office Hours allow all hacking teams to book 15 minutes with 20+ experts to discuss ideas, dev plans, and business strategies. Please note that Founders Lab teams get priority bookings. The sign-up sheet will be shared soon.

12:00-3:00 pm: Mock Board Meeting

• Room 32-155, Room 32-123

• Mandatory Mock Board Meeting. Each team will present a 3-minute pitch, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A and rapid feedback for improvement. Room details and team assignments will be provided the night before.

1:00 pm: Pitch Deck & Video Submission

• Teams need to submit their pitch deck (template available on your team login page) and a 1-minute video introducing your business idea.
  

5:00 pm: Founders Lab Finalists Announcement

• Finalists for the Founders Lab Demo Day will be announced. Check Discord and your email for the next steps!

9:00-10:00 am: Founders Lab Demo Day

• MIT Kresge Auditorium

• At the Demo Day, finalists will pitch their work and business ideas to an audience of founders, investors, potential partners, and the hacker community.

10:30-12 pm: Closing Ceremony

• MIT Kresge Auditorium

• Wrapping up the MIT Reality Hack with the hackathon and Demo Day winners announcement.