N2Y3 was what got Ushahidi started financially.   Up until that time, we had no money at all. Zero.   We were all just volunteering our time to a project that we all believed in.   The $25,000 we won last year changed all that.   Here are some of the lessons that we learned and which just might help you too.

Tell a story - I can't emphasize this enough.   You're going to get so little face time in front of the whole crowd that you will be hard pressed to differentiate yourself at all from the other worthy contenders.   If you get up there and rattle off the benefits and values of your project, prepare to see eyes glaze over.   Instead, create a narrative that paints a picture for your audience.

Present your project well - In this case, I'm not talking about how you speak, I'm talking about how your project looks.   Make sure you have a website (people will check), have business cards, handouts, a sign.   Bonus points if you actually have good branding.   :)

Time and Message - As mentioned earlier, you'll get very little time to put your project directly in front of the audience/voters, so use it wisely.   The 2-minute overview time in the beginning is lightening fast.   Tell a compelling story for that one.   The panel session gives you more time, but it's still quick and you'll also have to field some tough questions.   I know it's hard to stay out of the details, but try to do so in your panel talk, most people won't have the same understanding of the project as you, so it'll just get them lost.   Keep your language intelligent, but not technical for your field.

Get to know the other finalists - We still keep in touch with a number of the other finalists that we met at N2Y3.   They make up a strong network that will get you noticed and networked into places you couldn't go by yourself.   Lastly, you're meeting people who have a great deal of knowledge, creativity and courage - it's not every day that you get to spend time with people like this.

Finally, it's about meeting people and having a good time.   You know your project backwards and forwards by now, otherwise you (likely) wouldn't have made it to the final round.   Relax and have a good time, others will notice.  

Good luck!