FAQ
CU Build is a grassroots “build-a-thon” where Credit Union enthusiasts come together to innovate, learn, and develop solutions to technical challenges facing Credit Unions in a whirlwind weekend full of energy drinks and optional sleep deprivation. CU Build is based on a "hack-a-thon", where "hackers" take a weekend to identify a problem then rapidly prototype and build solutions in a very small timeframe. CU Build takes this idea and applies Credit Union cooperative principles and community focus, which we decided to name a "build-a-thon".
Any Credit Union employees who currently work on the Symitar core system or whose organizations are currently part of the Symitar VIP Program. This can be anyone from any background, non-technical and technical. Any "product" takes a village to build. You don’t have to be a programmer to make a huge impact.
Representing their respective companies, being at CU Build gives opportunities for expanding the use and awareness of their platform, growing their client base, networking, developing personal relationships with end users, and promoting the overall growth and expansion of the credit union space. All this together can help a company grow their business immensely as it benefits the industry as a whole.
Financial institutions have historically been laggards in new technology adoption. This event gives Credit Union employees the opportunity to explore and experience newer technologies they normally may not get access to day-to-day to solve some of the most pressing challenges impacting Credit Unions today.
Attending CU Build can help develop careers, build relationships, expand community, grow skills, and improve internal proficiency. It’s a great opportunity for your employees to get real world practice with some of the best development processes and latest tools in our industry. There are training opportunities and the invaluable experience of working in a fast paced environment on challenging problems that face credit unions today.
No. In fact, we prefer that participants do not have a team in mind when they register. You will be put on teams based on your skillsets, experience level, and work style. We’ll gather this information from a post‐registration survey.
Teams will be assigned and notified approximately one month before the event. This gives your team time to familiarize, organize, brainstorm, and plan leading up to the event. However, no coding is permitted until the event starts at the "kick-off".
We are expecting the commitment of a full weekend in July. You will get to spend 3 days and two nights with like-minded Credit Union innovators.
The schedule of events can be found on our Schedule page. Participants will get calendar invites for all pertinent functions.
We will have a theme, but the sky is the limit and you can let your imagination run amok. Some of our podium categories take the theme into account for scoring and placement, but teams are welcome to build whatever they want!