WillowTree for Good Competition (Spring 2023)

WillowTree is an award-winning digital product consultancy driven by innovation and grounded in strategy and user-centered design. We create long-term partnerships with the world’s leading brands to build and design digital flagship products crucial to our clients’ business needs. We’re a global consultancy with a client list that includes the NBA, Marriott, Domino's, and many more. Check out how we have impacted our clients' digital products over the years.

The WillowTree for Good competition asks teams of undergraduate students from universities and colleges throughout North Carolina to conceptualize an app that will change the world for the better. Teams will explore the world's most pressing challenges and discover how a digital experience can make meaningful progress toward solving the challenge. Win it all, and you'll have the opportunity to participate in WillowTree's competitive and award-winning summer internship program, where you'll fully develop your app alongside a team of expert engineers, designers, and strategists, then launch it for the world to discover. 

The competition is intended for students who are members of a historically marginalized group (this includes gender, race & ethnicity, sexual orientation, students who identify as neurodivergent, individuals with a disability, first-generation and low-income students, and service members & veterans.)

• A team must have at least one of each of the following disciplines:
  • Software Engineer
  • Product Designer
  • Product Manager
• A team can have up to four (4) members.
• Each team member must apply.
• Must be able to travel to our Durham, NC office for a kickoff and the final round of the competition (WillowTree will cover all travel and lodging costs incurred). 
• Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a North Carolina-based college or university.
• Must be graduating in December 2023 or later.
• Must be available for a Summer 2023 internship starting in late May.

• Experience pitching an App idea to industry professionals. 
• Mentorship from WillowTree employees. 
• Networking opportunities with WillowTree employees and clients. 
• Lots of swag!
• A chance for a summer internship with WillowTree to bring your App to life!

• All team members submit an application.
• Invite to complete a 5 minute video via Willo after an application is submitted. 
• All selected participants attend an on-site kickoff meeting in Durham, NC. 
• First-round participants receive a WillowTree advisor.  
• First-round participants complete a 10 minute presentation via Zoom. 
• Final round participants are invited on-site to Durham, NC to present to judges.
• Winners announced. 

• Now: Complete the application. Application closes on February 19th. 
• February: First-round participants are chosen and notified. 
• March: Kickoff On-site in Durham, NC on March 3rd. Virtual First-round presentations end of March. 
• April: On-site final round presentations and winners are announced.  
• May: Internship starts! 

We offer a place to be yourself.

Our differences, both visible and invisible, benefit our teams, our communities, and the products we craft. That’s why WillowTree strives to build a team with diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. You’ll work hard here; however, we’ll balance that with a culture that supports your growth and cares about your well-being. We’re committed to creating an environment of inclusion — a place where every Tree can thrive.

Our summer internship program is an opportunity for you to work on real client projects and make a real impact on our organization all while receiving one-on-one mentoring from our full-time team members. Not only that, but you’ll have weekly paid lunches, snacks galore, and plenty of chances to socialize with your fellow interns — including fun outings during work hours. We’ll have you with us full time (think 40 hours a week for 10 weeks) and yes, it is definitely paid. Not a bad gig, right? 

WillowTree celebrates our differences and provides equal employment opportunities to all team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Diverse teams build better products. We acknowledge that the tech industry especially lacks opportunity for those who are of non-traditional backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. In order to create the best products for everyone, we know that it's important for our team to reflect the diversity of our users, and we are committed to being the change we want to see.