Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Local Developers Compete to Create App for Ben's Chili Bowl (Applicist)

The national landmark restaurant on U Street in downtown Washington is having its own app contest, sponsored by Disruptathon, iStrategyLabs and Applicist.


Ben's Chili Bowl App Contest
Ben’s Chili Bowl, the national landmark that stayed open during the Washington, D.C. riots in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and which still serves famous chili dogs, half-smokes and milkshakes, is the subject of a new mobile app contest, pitting local developers in a competition to create the best and most innovative app for the landmark.

The contest kicked off April 5 and concludes with a live Disruptathon on June 20 at Ben’s Next Door restaurant. At the June 20 event, five finalists will have five minutes each to present their app in front of a panel of judges from the D.C. community.

Judges will be given a Disruptathon iPod touch loaded with an app that will ask them questions about the finalists’ products. Judges will rate the apps on ease of use, ranging from "Heartburn," the lowest rating, to "Piece of Cake," the highest rating and rate how "Spicy" the app is overall, from "Super Mild" to "Super Hot."

"The idea is to have some fun while innovators present their apps," said Pete Erickson, founder of the Disruptathon innovation series discovery platform and a sponsor of the event.

Erickson said up to 15 judges will participate in the contest. "We haven’t released the names of the judges yet," Erickson said, "but they will be several key individuals from the D.C. community."

The winner will create the final app used for Ben’s Chili Bowl.

The contest is sponsored by Ben’s Chili Bowl, iStrategy Labs, Applicist and Disruptathon.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Ben’s Chili Bowl? There’s An App For That.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: 
Robert Newkirk
Ben’s Next Door

Ben’s Chili Bowl?  There’s An App For That.

Washington, D.C., March 26th, 2010 - For the next few months, Ben’s Chili Bowl is asking the talented citizens of Washington, D.C. to compete to build the first ever Ben’s Chili Bowl iPhone App, with their “Apps For Ben’s” contest. The whole thing kicks off on Monday April 5th, 2010 at 12:00 PM, at the premier of the monthly event “TechTasters”, and concludes on June 20th, 2010 at the contest finale and party at Ben’s Next Door (the newly opened restaurant – you guessed it – next door). Apps For Ben’s is an official event of “Digital Capital Week” – a 10 day festival focused on technology, innovation and all things digital in Washington, D.C. More can be found at http://digitalcapitalweek.org. 

Inspired by iStrategyLabs’ “Apps For Democracy”, with assistance from Applicist, Ben’s technology consultant – Apps For Ben’s will allow developers the chance to win everything from Ben’s gear to gift certificates, but most importantly... a framed picture on the illustrious wall of Ben’s Chili Bowl, next to the likes of President Obama and Bill Cosby.  As if that's not enough, the winner will also be treated to an "unveiling party" with 20 of their closest friends.  Disruptathon has also joined in the fun to provide their innovation discovery platform, including iPod Touch devices for real-time voting at the contest finale. 

“We’re pumped about featuring Apps4Ben’s as a part of Digital Capital Week, as it will showcase the creativity and talent of DC’s tech and innovation economy” says DJ Saul of iStrategyLabs.

Ben’s Chili Bowl remains committed to its core values – namely putting the community first.  With that in mind, Ben's is proud to unveil yet another break through in customer satisfaction by creating their iPhone Application by the people, and for the people -- (there’s even a forum set up for anyone and everyone to suggest ideas).

Nizam Ali, co-owner of Ben’s said, “I love my iPhone, and I’ve wanted a Ben’s App for a while.  I can’t wait to see what the community comes up with!”

For more information on Apps For Ben’s, please visit http://apps4bens.com or contact:

Robert G.L. Newkirk:
Contest and Press Inquiries

DJ Saul: iStrategyLabs
Digital Capital Week

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Technologies That Could Change the Energy Picture - WSJ.com

Technologies That Could Change the Energy Picture - WSJ.com