FreightTech Innovation Challenge: A 24-Hour Transportation and Logistics Use Case Competition,

I’m excited to announce the inaugural FreightTech Innovation Challenge: A 24-Hour Transportation and Logistics Use Case Competition, taking place March 29–30, 2019 in Chattanooga, TN. Presented in collaboration with FreightWaves and CO.LAB, this event is a 24-hour competition for college students from across the nation to team up and take on some of the greatest challenges in transportation and logistics.

From now until March 8, we invite students who are interested in business, supply chain, technology, computer science, data, and logistics (and more) to apply for this immersive experience that could ultimately impact their career paths. Participating students will work directly with major industry players and experts to find solutions to real challenges in the industry, with a chance to win cash prizes and find potential future employers.

Here are the benefits for participating students:

·  Opportunity to work closely with a team of student peers and industry experts to solve unique industry challenges

·  Network with fast-growing companies and find potential future employers

·  Chance to win a cash prize and gain recognition for yourself and your university (cash prizes awarded to top three teams: 1st Place - $5,000; 2nd Place - $3,000; 3rd Place - $1,000)

·  Weekend to discover Chattanooga, TN—a leading hub for the transportation industry—also known as “Freight Alley” (participating teams will receive housing vouchers)

We ask that all students interested apply at colab.co/freighttechchallenge, where they can indicate whether they are part of a team or applying as an individual. 

You can find more information at colab.co/freighttechchallenge or on the information sheet attached to this email. Included on the information sheet is the schedule (may be subject to change) that outlines the activities for the weekend. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Why Chattanooga?

Chattanooga—known as the Scenic City due to its beauty and outdoor recreational scene—has grown to become athriving new hub for startups and large companies alike. With a supportive ecosystem for businesses, Chattanooga has also established itself as the heart of “Freight Alley,” with an increasingly growing number of companies in the transportation and logistics industry due to its position as the epicenter of freight traffic in the Southeast.

“If you start a company there to serve the trucking industry, you have more expertise about what the needs are, and more customers and partners there in Chattanooga as opposed to New York City, Boston and San Francisco. Chattanooga is the “Silicon Valley” of Trucking”
— Steve Case, AOL Co-Founder and Co-Founder of Rise of the Rest

Sponsored by U.S. Xpress, Reliance Partners, Arrive Logistics