Final preparations are underway for the second annual LeadingAge Hackfest.The Oct. 18-20 event will pit teams of four to six members against one another in a quest to create a technology-driven tool that will improve the lives of seniors and their family members. First prize is $5,000, with two runners-up receiving $2,000 and a $1,000 honorarium going to the fourth-place finisher.

The “Engage with Age” contest will be a part of the LeadingAge annual meeting and expo at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Contestants can build things such as software applications, websites, devices or interactive online experiences. They have a fixed amount of time to do it, however, which adds competitive pressure to the contest.

After the construction/creation period ends, all of the teams will present their completed tools on Monday, Oct. 8, to the convention’s more than 8,000 attendees.

For a McKnight’s Newsmaker video interview with last year’s winner, click here. For complete information about the event, including a schedule, list of judges, possible inventing scenarios and more, click here.