More than 175 students from middle school to postgraduate level gathered on January 24 at the Montgomery Innovation Hub for an AI Hackathon focused on addressing affordability in New Jersey. The event, organized with support from local leaders and in collaboration with James Barrood, Ben Jen, Roopak Gupta, and Mukesh Patel, aimed to generate new solutions to economic challenges facing the state.
Participants formed 42 teams, working both in-person and remotely. They used generative AI tools to brainstorm and develop ideas that could help make New Jersey more affordable. The hackathon was powered by mTap, a digital business card and event platform that facilitated registration and submissions.
The challenge prompt asked: “How can we make New Jersey more affordable?” This aligns with priorities championed by Governor Mikie Sherrill as affordability remains a key concern for families, students, and professionals in the state.
At the end of the event, six finalist teams presented their concepts. Their proposals included tools to identify financial gaps preventing access to education or jobs, platforms to address housing shortages through zoning reform and faster permitting processes, systems linking housing development with transit funding mechanisms, frameworks for voluntary shared services among municipalities to reduce administrative costs, plans to eliminate NJ Transit transfer fees funded by corporate taxes rather than taxpayers, and targeted programs supporting young adults at critical transition points.
Organizers and sponsors such as 1435 Capital Management, NeElixir, TiE New Jersey, and Jersey Tech + Innovation described the hackathon as part of a broader initiative to connect students with mentorship opportunities while encouraging real-world problem solving.
James Barrood challenged students: “That’s just two experiments per week,” Barrood explained. “Experimentation leads to innovation, and we’re standing in the state where Thomas Edison ran 10,000 experiments before finally succeeding. That relentless curiosity is in New Jersey’s DNA, and now it’s your turn to carry it forward.”
Ben Jen commented on the collaborative aspect of the event: “This event is exactly what ecosystem-building looks like,” said Ben Jen, Managing Partner, 1435 Capital Management and the event host. “When we bring students together across the state – and give them real challenges and modern tools – they don’t just learn. They build. And New Jersey is stronger for it.”
Roopak Gupta highlighted student engagement: “When you give young people AI tools and a meaningful challenge, you’re not just teaching innovation – you’re witnessing it. The ideas presented today could genuinely reshape how New Jersey approaches affordability,” added Roopak Gupta, Founder of mTap.
Prof. Mukesh Patel addressed skill development: “This hackathon reflects the kind of ecosystem New Jersey is building, where state leaders come together to give students meaningful challenges and modern tools. By learning to work with AI responsibly and collaborating across age groups, students aren’t just developing technical skills, they’re building networks, confidence, and a mindset for solving real problems that matter to our state’s future,” noted Prof. Mukesh Patel, Professor of Innovation and Tech-Entrepreneurship, Rutgers Business School.
