AT&T, New Jersey Tech Council, and Other Partners Kick Off AT&T Civic App Challenge 12:17:43 AT&T, New Jersey Tech Council, and Other Partners Kick Off AT&T Civic... -- SOMERSET, N.J. AT&T Inc. logo. AT&T Inc. logo. > SOMERSET, N.J. [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTl3ZFdKc2FXTndiMnhwWTNrdVlYUjBMbU52YlM5Y0lpQnlaV3c5WENKdWIyWnZiR3h2ZDF3aUlIUmhjbWRsZEQxY0lsOWliR0Z1YTF3aVBrRlVKbFE4TDJFK3w=]]*, in collaboration with the [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWJtcDBZeTV2Y21jdlhDSWdjbVZzUFZ3aWJtOW1iMnhzYjNkY0lpQjBZWEpuWlhROVhDSmZZbXhoYm10Y0lqNU9aWGNnU21WeWMyVjVJRlJsWTJodWIyeHZaM2tnUTI5MWJtTnBiQ3c4TDJFK3w=]] some of the state's research universities, and other economic development, educational and veterans organizations in New Jersey , today announced the AT&T Civic App Challenge -- a "virtual hackathon" allowing innovative thinkers, designers, artists, developers and entrepreneurs to build and deliver mobile apps and services that serve community needs. The challenge offers a special incentive for individuals or teams to develop apps that focus on veterans and their families. The overarching goals of the challenge are to connect and engage citizens with their governments while demonstrating how mobile technologies can lead to the next generation of tech jobs and investment. The statewide challenge, which will award $19,000 in prizes, was announced today at [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWFuVnBZMlYwWVc1ckxtTnZiUzljSWlCeVpXdzlYQ0p1YjJadmJHeHZkMXdpSUhSaGNtZGxkRDFjSWw5aWJHRnVhMXdpUGtwMWFXTmxWR0Z1YXlCSmJtNXZkbUYwYVc5dUlFeGhZand2WVQ0PXw=]], a New Jersey startup accelerator and incubator in Somerset , NJ. The NJ Tech Council will award the prizes. James Barrood , president and CEO of NJ Tech Council, said the challenge will help foster the next generation of tech talent in New Jersey . "With the increasing popularity of hackathons, this virtual event is exactly what New Jersey needs to help foster the next generation of tech talent. Through this partnership, participants will have greater access to resources and tools to take their projects to the next level. Students helping develop meaningful apps which will aid our state's military veterans provide the perfect example of why New Jersey leads in nurturing and retaining tech talent." Mukesh Patel , founder and chief executive officer of [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWFuVnBZMlYwWVc1ckxtTnZiUzljSWlCeVpXdzlYQ0p1YjJadmJHeHZkMXdpSUhSaGNtZGxkRDFjSWw5aWJHRnVhMXdpUGtwMWFXTmxWR0Z1YXp3dllUND18]], said he's excited to see the outcome of the challenge. "JuiceTank is delighted to be hosting AT&T for the commencement of the AT&T Civic App Challenge," Patel says. "AT&T and its partners' efforts enhance the commitment we must uphold to our nation's heroes. As a community of technologists, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, we are excited to see what the outcome will be from the best innovators New Jersey has to offer." J. Michael Schweder , president, AT&T Mid Atlantic, said the challenge will help showcase New Jersey's innovation economy and will inspire developers to create mobile applications with a civic purpose, including apps that will help the state's military veterans and their families. "AT&T's commitment to technology innovation in New Jersey grows out of our deep roots in the state and our multi-billion dollar nationwide investment in the mobile communications network of the future," said Schweder. "This challenge is a great way to showcase New Jersey's innovation economy by inspiring students, technologists and innovators to develop mobile apps that can improve lives and strengthen communities." Schweder added that the challenge will place a special emphasis on apps that will help the state's military veterans and their families access information they need. At the kickoff, Lloyd Dean from [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWRtVjBjelIzWVhKeWFXOXljeTVqYjIwdlhDSWdjbVZzUFZ3aWJtOW1iMnhzYjNkY0lpQjBZWEpuWlhROVhDSmZZbXhoYm10Y0lqNVdaWFJ6TkZkaGNuSnBiM0p6UEM5aFBnPT18]] added: "The civic app challenge will be a huge benefit to help Veterans and families identify resources all in one place in the palm of their hands." Current higher-education partners include: [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWJtcGpiMnhzWldkbGN5NXZjbWN2WVdsamRXNXFMMkZpYjNWMExXRnBZM1Z1YWk5Y0lpQnlaV3c5WENKdWIyWnZiR3h2ZDF3aUlIUmhjbWRsZEQxY0lsOWliR0Z1YTF3aVBrRnpjMjlqYVdGMGFXOXVJRzltSUVsdVpHVndaVzVrWlc1MElFTnZiR3hsWjJWeklHRnVaQ0JWYm1sMlpYSnphWFJwWlhNZ2FXNGdUbVYzSUVwbGNuTmxlVHd2WVQ0PXw=]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWJtcGhjMk4xTG05eVp5OWNJaUJ5Wld3OVhDSnViMlp2Ykd4dmQxd2lJSFJoY21kbGREMWNJbDlpYkdGdWExd2lQazVsZHlCS1pYSnpaWGtnUVhOemIyTnBZWFJwYjI0Z2IyWWdVM1JoZEdVZ1EyOXNiR1ZuWlhNZ1lXNWtJRlZ1YVhabGNuTnBkR2xsY3p3dllUND18]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWJtcGpZMk11YjNKbkwxd2lJSEpsYkQxY0ltNXZabTlzYkc5M1hDSWdkR0Z5WjJWMFBWd2lYMkpzWVc1clhDSStUbVYzSUVwbGNuTmxlU0JEYjNWdVkybHNJRzltSUVOdmRXNTBlU0JEYjJ4c1pXZGxjend2WVQ0PXw=]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWJtcHBkQzVsWkhVdlhDSWdjbVZzUFZ3aWJtOW1iMnhzYjNkY0lpQjBZWEpuWlhROVhDSmZZbXhoYm10Y0lqNU9aWGNnU21WeWMyVjVJRWx1YzNScGRIVjBaU0J2WmlCVVpXTm9ibTlzYjJkNVBDOWhQZz09fA==]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWNtOTNZVzR1WldSMUwxd2lJSEpsYkQxY0ltNXZabTlzYkc5M1hDSWdkR0Z5WjJWMFBWd2lYMkpzWVc1clhDSStVbTkzWVc0Z1ZXNXBkbVZ5YzJsMGVUd3ZZVDQ9fA==]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWNuVjBaMlZ5Y3k1bFpIVXZYQ0lnY21Wc1BWd2libTltYjJ4c2IzZGNJaUIwWVhKblpYUTlYQ0pmWW14aGJtdGNJajVTZFhSblpYSnpJRlZ1YVhabGNuTnBkSGs4TDJFK3w=]]; and [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWMzUmxkbVZ1Y3k1bFpIVXZjMmwwTDNabGRHVnlZVzV6WENJZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCMFlYSm5aWFE5WENKZllteGhibXRjSWo1VGRHVjJaVzV6SUVsdWMzUnBkSFYwWlNCdlppQlVaV05vYm05c2IyZDVQQzloUGc9PXw=]]. Other partners include: [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWFHVnNiV1YwYzNSdmFHRnlaR2hoZEhNdWIzSm5MMXdpSUhKbGJEMWNJbTV2Wm05c2JHOTNYQ0lnZEdGeVoyVjBQVndpWDJKc1lXNXJYQ0krU0dWc2JXVjBjeUIwYnlCSVlYSmthR0YwY3p3dllUND18]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTlvWlhKdlpYTjBiMmhsY205bGN5NXZjbWN2WENJZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCMFlYSm5aWFE5WENKZllteGhibXRjSWo1SVpYSnZaWE1nZEc4Z1NHVnliMlZ6UEM5aFBnPT18]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWFXNXViM1poZEdsdmJtNXFMbTVsZEM5Y0lpQnlaV3c5WENKdWIyWnZiR3h2ZDF3aUlIUmhjbWRsZEQxY0lsOWliR0Z1YTF3aVBrbHVibTkyWVhScGIyNGdUbVYzSUVwbGNuTmxlVHd2WVQ0PXw=]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWIzQmxjbUYwYVc5dVkyaHBiR3h2ZFhRdWIzSm5MMXdpSUhKbGJEMWNJbTV2Wm05c2JHOTNYQ0lnZEdGeVoyVjBQVndpWDJKc1lXNXJYQ0krVDNCbGNtRjBhVzl1SUVOb2FXeHNJRTkxZENCT1pYY2dTbVZ5YzJWNVBDOWhQZz09fA==]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWMyTmljQzV2Y21jdlhDSWdjbVZzUFZ3aWJtOW1iMnhzYjNkY0lpQjBZWEpuWlhROVhDSmZZbXhoYm10Y0lqNVRiMjFsY25ObGRDQkRiM1Z1ZEhrZ1FuVnphVzVsYzNNZ1VHRnlkRzVsY25Ob2FYQThMMkUrfA==]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWMyNXFaR011YjNKbkwxd2lJSEpsYkQxY0ltNXZabTlzYkc5M1hDSWdkR0Z5WjJWMFBWd2lYMkpzWVc1clhDSStVMjkxZEdobGNtNGdUbVYzSUVwbGNuTmxlU0JFWlhabGJHOXdiV1Z1ZENCRGIzVnVZMmxzUEM5aFBnPT18]]; [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdVlYUjBkbVYwWlhKaGJuTXVZMjl0TDF3aUlISmxiRDFjSW01dlptOXNiRzkzWENJZ2RHRnlaMlYwUFZ3aVgySnNZVzVyWENJK1FWUW1WQ0JXWlhSbGNtRnVjend2WVQ0PXw=]], an employee resource group; and [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWRtVjBjelIzWVhKeWFXOXljeTVqYjIwdlhDSWdjbVZzUFZ3aWJtOW1iMnhzYjNkY0lpQjBZWEpuWlhROVhDSmZZbXhoYm10Y0lqNVdaWFJ6TkZkaGNuSnBiM0p6UEM5aFBnPT18]]. The challenge runs from September 16, 2015 through November 13 , 2015. Coders, designers, entrepreneurs and technologists can register for the challenge and get more information at [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTloZEhSdWFpNXVhbU5wZG1sallYQndMbU52YlM5Y0lpQnlaV3c5WENKdWIyWnZiR3h2ZDF3aUlIUmhjbWRsZEQxY0lsOWliR0Z1YTF3aVBtaDBkSEE2THk5aGRIUnVhaTV1YW1OcGRtbGpZWEJ3TG1OdmJTODhMMkUrfA==]]. The winners will be announced at a special event at Rowan University in December 2015 . A panel of judges will select one winner from each region of the state ( North, Central and South). The three regions were identified based upon a NJ Department of Transportation [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWMzUmhkR1V1Ym1vdWRYTXZkSEpoYm5Od2IzSjBZWFJwYjI0dlluVnphVzVsYzNNdmNtOTNMMjltWm1salpYTXVjMmgwYlZ3aUlISmxiRDFjSW01dlptOXNiRzkzWENJZ2RHRnlaMlYwUFZ3aVgySnNZVzVyWENJK2JXRndQQzloUGc9PXw=]]. Each regional winner will receive $3,000 . The grand prize winner as selected by the judges will receive an additional $10,000 , plus the chance to work with a regional incubator that will provide business, leadership and other guidance. To make the challenge truly New Jersey -centric, the challenge is open only to individuals who are residents of New Jersey and/or postsecondary students currently enrolled in a New Jersey college or university listed on the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWJtb3VaMjkyTDJocFoyaGxjbVZrZFdOaGRHbHZiaTlqYjJ4c1pXZGxjeTl6WTJodmIyeHpYMkZzWm1FdWMyaDBiV3hjSWlCeVpXdzlYQ0p1YjJadmJHeHZkMXdpSUhSaGNtZGxkRDFjSWw5aWJHRnVhMXdpUG5kbFluTnBkR1U4TDJFK3w=]]. For teams, at least 50 percent of the team members must be either current residents of New Jersey or attend one of the [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdWJtb3VaMjkyTDJocFoyaGxjbVZrZFdOaGRHbHZiaTlqYjJ4c1pXZGxjeTl6WTJodmIyeHpYMkZzWm1FdWMyaDBiV3hjSWlCeVpXdzlYQ0p1YjJadmJHeHZkMXdpSUhSaGNtZGxkRDFjSWw5aWJHRnVhMXdpUG5OMFlYUmxKM01nWTI5c2JHVm5aWE1nYjNJZ2RXNXBkbVZ5YzJsMGFXVnpQQzloUGc9PXw=]]. AT&T employees and their family members are not eligible. Submitted apps will be judged on potential impact on New Jersey ; execution; impact on military veterans and/or their families; and creativity/novelty. Follow the challenge on Twitter at #NJATT. More information is available at [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTloZEhSdWFpNXVhbU5wZG1sallYQndMbU52YlM5Y0lpQnlaV3c5WENKdWIyWnZiR3h2ZDF3aUlIUmhjbWRsZEQxY0lsOWliR0Z1YTF3aVBtaDBkSEE2THk5aGRIUnVhaTV1YW1OcGRtbGpZWEJ3TG1OdmJTODhMMkUrfA==]]. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCb2NtVm1QU2RvZEhSd09pOHZjM1IxWkdsdkxUVXVabWx1WVc1amFXRnNZMjl1ZEdWdWRDNWpiMjB2Y0hKdVpYZHpQMUJoWjJVOVVYVnZkR1VtVkdsamEyVnlQVlFuSUhSaGNtZGxkRDBuWDJKc1lXNXJKeUIwYVhSc1pUMG5WQ2NnYjI1amJHbGphejBuYkdsdWEwOXVRMnhwWTJzb2RHaHBjeWtuSUhKbGJEMG5ibTltYjJ4c2IzY25QbFE4TDJFK3w=]]) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We're helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation's strongest LTE signal and the nation's most reliable 4G [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdVlYUjBMbU52YlM5dVpYUjNiM0pyTDF3aUlISmxiRDFjSW01dlptOXNiRzkzWENJZ2RHRnlaMlYwUFZ3aVgySnNZVzVyWENJK1RGUkZJRzVsZEhkdmNtczhMMkUrfA==]]. We offer the best global wireless coverage*. We're improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with [[UEdFZ2NtVnNQVndpYm05bWIyeHNiM2RjSWlCdmJtTnNhV05yUFNkc2FXNXJUMjVEYkdsamF5aDBhR2x6S1NjZ2FISmxaajFjSW1oMGRIQTZMeTkzZDNjdVlYUjBMbU52YlM5emFHOXdMM1V0ZG1WeWMyVXVhSFJ0YkZ3aUlISmxiRDFjSW01dlptOXNiRzkzWENJZ2RHRnlaMlYwUFZ3aVgySnNZVzVyWENJK1FWUW1WQ0JWTFhabGNuTmxQQzloUGc9PXw=]] ® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T's mobility and highly secure cloud solutions. Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com . Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att . © 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.