THE DESIGNATHON: BUILT FOR BUILDERS
This year at DEMO 2026, TroyLabs is partnering with Framer: a no-code website builder worth $150M+ to host an exclusive designathon. Teams of 1–4 will receive a mock startup brief and compete to build the most compelling landing page from scratch. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just curious about vibecoding, this one's for you.
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THE FORMAT
→ Framer crash course to get everyone up to speed
→ Draw your startup brief: AI tools, templates, and stock assets all fair game
→ 60-minute build sprint with your team
→ 60-second pitch + demo to a live judging panel
→ Win cash prizes + Framer swag
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WHO SHOULD JOIN
💡 Designers: Show what you can build under pressure and get your work in front of 1,000+ attendees at SoCal's largest student-run entrepreneurship conference.
💻 Founders: Practice translating your startup idea into a landing page that actually converts. The skill you build here is one you'll use forever.
👋 Beginners: No experience required. Framer's AI tools mean anyone can ship something great in 60 minutes.
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EVENT SCHEDULE
When: April 22, 2026 · 11:15 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: USC TCC Ballroom (sprint) & TCC 227 (judging)
11:15 AM: Welcome & Intro · Team formation, prize announcements
11:20 AM: Framer Crash Course · Live tutorial on basics, AI tools, and publishing
11:45 AM: Prompt Distribution · Teams receive mock startup briefs
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM: Enjoy the rest of DEMO
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Design Sprint · 60 minutes to build
3:00 PM: Demos & Judging · 60-second pitches, judges deliberate
3:30 PM: Winners Announced · Prize distribution and closing remarks
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PRIZES
→ 1st Place: $200 & Framer swag
→ 2nd & 3rd Place: $100 & Framer Swag
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WHAT TO BRING
→ A laptop.
→ A free Framer account (sign up beforehand)
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HOW TO JOIN
The designathon is free with this RSVP form.
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Questions? Contact us at troylabs@usc.edu
