Oct 2023
The Spark
PeaceRise begins as an idea at STARTUPCINCY Week 2023. Lonny contributes the first $1,000 to bring the vision to life.
Where It All Started
From an Idea to
a Global Community.
PeaceRise started as an app idea in early October 2023 and was expanded on between Lonny, Brandon, and Jeremy at STARTUPCINCY Week 2023. What followed was a journey from concept to community.
← Back to About
The Journey
From Idea to Ecosystem
Jan 2024
A New Era
“Introducing PeaceRise: A New Era of Collective Innovation and Peace” — the platform is announced to the world.
Feb 2024
Partnerships Form
Official partnership with Alloy Growth Lab and University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub. Kick-off meetup brings virtual and in-person participants together.
Apr 2024
Community Grows
Over 200 Peace Partners from 26 countries join the platform. 24 innovative project submissions pour in from around the world.
May 3–6, 2024
The Challenge
The inaugural PeaceRise Innovation Challenge at the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub. Sprint, presentations, and global collaboration.
May 25, 2024
The Awards
Litterless takes 1st place. Weave 3 and The One Thing round out the top three. Projects spanning environment, blockchain, and mental health.
240+
Peace Partners
34
Countries
The Ecosystem Emerges
From challenge to ecosystem — PeaceRise evolves into a living network. The app launches. The global site becomes the institutional home.
2024 Innovation Challenge Winners
1st
Litterless
A digital marketplace that rewards users for picking up trash through gamification and ecosystem partner rewards.
Ben Booker & Atharv Shete
2nd
Weave 3
A Web3 project leveraging blockchain for real-time, bottom-up tracing from makers in the global south.
Scott Frankum, MBA
3rd
The One Thing
An AI-powered mental health companion for adolescents, providing affirmations and emotional resilience tools.
John Davis IV, Stefon Towler, Markia Thomas & Daneika Farmer
The People Who Made It Happen
Innovation Challenge Organizing Team
The 2024 Innovation Challenge executive board — the team that brought PeaceRise from idea to reality.
Jeremy Fritzhand
Chairman
Lonny Schwartz
Founding Member
Brandon Malofsky
Founding Member
Sister Keli
Member
Antony Seppi
Member
Ali Payne
Member
Josie Dalton
Member
How It Started
PeaceRise started as an app idea in early October 2023 and was expanded on between Lonny, Brandon, and Jeremy at STARTUPCINCY Week 2023. Lonny contributed the first $1,000 to bring the idea to life — this amount is now part of the Challenge prize pool. From October onward these three continued to meet and manifest what has become the PeaceRise community and the PeaceRise Innovation Challenge.
Partners Who Made It Possible
A globally recognized top-10 business incubator that spearheads PeaceRise, with over 14 years of experience deploying high-performance solutions.
The University of Cincinnati’s hub of thinking, making, and doing — hosting the PeaceRise Innovation Challenge.
Supporting early stage founders dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable community through social enterprise.
Watch
Videos from the Journey
Innovation Challenge — Opening Ceremony
The kickoff at UC 1819 Innovation Hub, May 3 2024 — keynote speakers, partner introductions, and the start of a global challenge.
Innovation Challenge — Awards Ceremony
The virtual awards ceremony, May 25 2024 — winner announcements, project showcases, and reflections on the inaugural challenge.
In the Press
What People Said
Feature
Featured coverage of the PeaceRise Innovation Challenge and its mission to unite technology and peace.
Read article → WCPO
Channel 9
Channel 9
Broadcast
Local Cincinnati segment highlighting the innovation challenge and the growing PeaceRise community.
Watch segment →
Article
Coverage of Ohio at the forefront of PeaceTech, spotlighting PeaceRise’s innovation-driven approach to peace.
Read article →Founding Voices
“The reason Silicon Valley leads in innovation is the dynamic collision between those aiming to enrich themselves and those aiming to change the world. We need both to drive true innovation.”
“I’ve been involved with early-stage opportunities for nearly three decades, and it’s exhilarating to see new initiatives like PeaceRise. It’s about engaging and empowering communities both locally and globally.”
“We are thrilled to be the venue for the PeaceRise Innovation Challenge. It’s inspiring to see so many innovative minds come together in pursuit of peace.”
2024 Awards Sponsors & Partners
