Budget-Friendly
No entry fee—teams cover materials (~$50-100).
AI-Enhanced Rapid-Prototyping Challenge
Zero entry fee, zero travel—just 14 days to prove your makerspace is the fastest in the United States.
Register Now — slots limited! Join Mailing ListWhy Proto-Dash?
Zero Travel
All work in your own lab—focus on building, not logistics.
AI-Enhanced
Use generative tools to ideate, code, and document faster.
Showcase Talent
Projects, docs, and videos published online for recruiters.
MVP in 14 Days
Iterate fast, gather real data, deliver working hardware.
By the Numbers
20Team Limit
2Weeks
$50-100Materials/Team
$1 000Prize
How It Works
Parts List
Sep 1 – suggested component list drops.
Project Goal
Sep 8 – recycling-tech challenge revealed.
Build & Test
Sep 8–22 – design, prototype, measure performance.
Submit
Upload 3-min video, report, CAD & data by Sep 22.
Showcase & Awards
Livestream Sep 29 – bragging rights + $1 000.
Event Timeline*
NowMailing List opens
Sep 1Parts List
Sep 8Project Goal
Sep 8–22Build & Test
Sep 22Submission Deadline
Sep 29Showcase & Awards
*Dates adjustable per university calendar.
Example Judging Rubric
| Category | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Functionality | Meets objective & captures relevant data. | 25% |
| Quality & Robustness | Reliable construction & repeatability. | 20% |
| Affordability | Cost-effective BOM & common tools. | 15% |
| Manufacturability | Easy to reproduce in a typical makerspace. | 15% |
| Documentation | Clear report, professional video, complete CAD & data. | 15% |
| Innovation | Creative AI use & sustainability impact. | 10% |
FAQ
Can we use AI tools?
Yes — just disclose how they were used in your documentation.
Team size?
6–8 students; no hard limit applied.
Resources allowed?
Any makerspace equipment & external services—just credit them.
Does the prototype need to be perfect?
No — an MVP with real data is the goal; document limitations.
Who judges?
Engineers from sponsor companies review asynchronously.
Email contact@proto-dash.com for more questions.
Example Prototyping Spaces & Prototypes
Student Labs
Makerspaces
Workshops
Specialized Labs
Research Labs
Get Innovative
Keep it Simple
Design with Modules
Prove the Concepts
Have Fun
Sponsors & Partners
