LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Oct. 12, 2022) – More than 20 teams from across Arkansas gathered in the UA Little Rock Jack Stephens Center over the weekend to battle for prizes while developing high-level tech skills in areas including remote access exploits, web vulnerabilities, code-breaking, physical security, privilege escalation, reverse engineering, and code manipulation. Three student teams hacked the code and conquered The Venture Center’s 2022 JOLT Cyber Challenge, securing cash, prizes, and cyber skills bragging rights.
Claiming the first-place prize from the University of Arkansas was the CyberHogs, including team members Henry Schmidt, Kattie Kettler, Karsen Bech, and Mitchell Bylak. Following in second, also from the University of Arkansas, was Team Kick Flip, comprised of Zachary Harris, Luke Simmons, Alex Prosser, and Austin Flynn. In third place was Caleb Coletti, Brandon Drause, Vance Hill, and Zach Callahan representing First Orion as c0mm4ndl1n3c0wb0ys.
Head gamemaster, Chris Wright of Sullivan Wright Technologies, said “For seven years, we’ve been hosting this one-of-a-kind event, and each year we walk away impressed and extremely proud of the Natural State's remarkable talent. Watching the teams work together to sharpen their skills and crack the code is the inspiration we need as we prepare for 2023’s challenge.”
Facilitated by cybersecurity and technology development experts, the JOLT Cyber Challenge is designed by volunteers who work year-round to curate puzzles that strengthen development skills through team-building challenges. This year’s host of gamemasters included longtime volunteers Chris Wright, Tommy Haycraft, Daniel Spillers, Nick Seward, Josh Baugh, Benji Allen, and DJ Stack.
“The JOLT Cyber Challenge is a powerful reminder of our state’s current and future tech workforce and the importance of stewarding that,” said Mimi San Pedro, chief strategy officer for The Venture Center. “The real-world insight and experience offered through programs like JOLT is a key opportunity to support the industry’s growth and provide innovative job-training opportunities here in Arkansas.”
For more information, visit venturecenter.co/jolt.
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About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas-based Entrepreneurial Support
Organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth
businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world-class team of mentors, intensive
programming, and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an
engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond. Learn more at www.venturecenter.co.
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