The Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon promotes the design, development and prototyping of civic and entrepreneur ideas.
We encourage all projects to consider government (at all levels), citizens and civic organizations as their user/market base. Whether civic or not, try to think about your project idea with a venture and entrepreneur mindset.
Feel free to use software, data or hardware to design, develop and implement your prototype.
In order to guarantee seats, internet service and lunch for all participants, registration for the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon is managed via EventBrite.
EventBrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tech-summit-2015-innovation-driven-hub-tickets-15734340837
Participants that do not register via EventBrite will not be able to participate.
Hackathon challenges, projects, teams, submissions and issues are managed via the event's Challenge Post page.
Challenge Post:
http://techsummit2015.challengepost.com/
Projects, teams and submissions not managed via the Challenge Post page will not be able to present their demo and compete for any categories and prizes. That's the place where the Organizing Committee and the Evaluation and Judging Panels will be looking at your projects.
Remember, all submissions must comply with the event's Rules.
This is, by all means, the most important rule you must abide. We strive for the Tech Summit to be an inclusive and diverse environment. Any misbehavior or action that belittles or degrades others will not be allowed, and the participant will be immediately disqualified and removed from the event.
The Tech Summit Hackathon Organizing Committee has adopted the Code for America's Code of Conduct and Anti-Harrassment Policy. For more information, please click here.
All projects presented at the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon must be developed during the event.
You are allowed to use frameworks, tools, APIs and open source libraries made available by the Tech Summit Organizing Committee or that have been available at least for a month.
Remember, this isn’t a Powerpoint-athon! Don't show just screenshots and slides.
This is not the platform to launch your team's existing product.
Each project must select an approved open source license to participate at the Tech Summit 2015. If a project does not specify a particular open source license, the MIT License will be assumed by default.
Projects that specify a non open source license will not be able to present a demo or compete for any categories and prizes at the Tech Summit 2015.
We suggest you read the 'But why OPEN?' question in the FAQ section.
As a best practice, you must use a version control software to track your code as you write it.
It is required that participants of the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon use Git and Github as the platform to track, share and develop their projects. All project's code, design, schematics and documentation must be forked by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's Github account in order to present a demo and compete for any categories and prizes.
Projects failing to be forked will not be able to present a demo or compete for any categories and prizes at the Tech Summit 2015.
Finalists will have their project's source code audited to make sure it's new, legit and complies with the rules and guidelines.
The number of members per team is limited to 5. A participant can only belong to one team.
Don't stop repeating this: You are at the Hackathon to have fun!
Although there is an element of competition, the Tech Summit Hackathon is a place to experiment, learn new things, meet great people, and build (or break) things from scratch. Don't stress yourself too much, don't get upset if you can't make it, and never quit (even if you don't win).
Just have a good time and put your best effort and skills towards your project.
Remember, you are the the place where disruption and innovation is taking place in Puerto Rico! ;)
Projects and challenges are encouraged to be created with the following tracks and guidelines:
- Includes projects based on data gathering, visualization or a creative use of an existing dataset.
- The use of datasets from Data.PR.gov is encouraged but not enforced.
- Existing open datasets from municipal, state or federal government is permitted if used in a context relevant to Puerto Rico.
- Projects that provide mechanisms for gathering or collecting data that is not currently open will be considered under this category.
- Includes projects that integrate open hardware and/or 3D printing tools or technics.
- The use of any open hardware platform is permitted.
- Participants are allowed to bring their own hardware, boards, sensors and parts.
- Design, schematics and source code for your application, hardware or 3D print must be pushed in the project's repository.
- Projects must be original.
- Includes any technology project that includes software, either web or mobile.
- Participants are encouraged to give a business twist to their projects, but this is not required.
- Projects that use open data, hardware or 3D printing, but are considered innovative enough by the Hackathon Evaluation Panel, may be considered under this category. Rules defined for the Data Hack and Maker Hack also apply to projects under the Innovative Hack.
The Hackathon Evaluation Panel consist of members designated by the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon organizers that will evaluate projects for compliance with the event rules and guidelines. Any decisions taken by the Hackathon Evaluation Panel in regard to a project compliance are considered final and binding.
The Hackathon Evaluation Panel will be composed of 3 members which will be announced before the Hackathon event begins.
The Hackathon Judging Panel will evaluate the projects and decide which is the winner for each of the specified tracks. Any other available prizes will be awarded by the Hackathon Judging Panel and the Tech Summit Organizing Committee.
The Hackathon Judging Panel will be composed of a Community Representative, a Government Representative and a Tech Summit 2015 Speaker.
The Prizing Ceremony for the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon will take place at a different date and venue. Details on the final date and location will be properly announced via email, social networks and Challenge Post.
Every participant must bring it's own laptop to the event. Feel free to use the operating system and tools that better suits you.
Be warned, if you don't bring your laptop you may not be allowed to participate.
No. Use the operating system, programming language, software, tools and platforms that better suits you, your team and your project.
The only requirement for participants is to have a Github account in order to push their code, designs or schematics.
We will have mentors and staff assisting during the hackathon, but don't expect them to teach you how to program, use Git or install any software during the event.
Mentors and staff priority is to assist hackers with open data issues, makers questions, clarify guidelines and assess projects or ideas.
We kindly invite you to the Hackers Preparation event that will occur a few days before the Tech Summit in order to clarify any technical issues, create your Github account and make sure your computer is properly setup.
It is very important that you (or at least someone in your team) have a Github account in order to push your project's code, design or schematics.
If you don't know Git, we recommend that you start with the TryGit tutorial. (No software required. Just your browser!)
We also suggest that you participate in the Hackers Preparation Event that will occur a few days before the Tech Summit in order to setup Git and create your Github account.
Data.PR.gov is the open data platform used by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in order to publish and maintain its open data efforts.
We recommend that you start with the Video Guides published in their website in order to play with the datasets.
We also suggest that you participate in the Hackers Preparation Event that will occur a few days before the Tech Summit in order to learn the Data.PR.gov fundamentals from one of our mentors.
Yes. There will be a Hackers Preparation event that will occur a few days before the Tech Summit.
This will be the event where you can get help installing Git, setting up your computer, creating your Github account, playing with Data.PR.gov, and with any other technical issue.
Yes. There will be a very limited amount of 3D printers. Consider printers availability and the time that your project may take to print when deciding your project idea and scope.
We may have a few, but you should bring your own hardware if considering the Makers Hack.
As stated in the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon General Rules, in order for a project to participate in the demo or compete for any categories or prices it must have an approved open source license.
We suggest the following licenses for your projects:
- MIT License
If you want a simple and permisive license - Apache License
If you are concerned about patents - GPL 2.0 License / GPL 3.0 License
If you care about sharing improvements
For more information about open source licenses, we recommend the following resources:
- Github's Choose a License Guide » http://choosealicense.com/
- Open Source Initiative » http://opensource.org/licenses/
We truly believe that Government should Default to Open, so we want to set the example.
Openness has many benefits, not only for you, but for the technology ecosystem and communities in Puerto Rico. It allows for collaboration, and enables citizens, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and government to easily contribute and reuse technology.
Many projects and companies have opted for openness.
No worries, but your project will not be eligible to for the demo session nor be eligible to participate in any categories or prizes.
The only way to register for the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon is via EventBrite.
EventBrite registration link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tech-summit-2015-innovation-driven-hub-tickets-15734340837
EventBrite registration is required in order to guarantee seats, internet service and lunch for all participants.
No. EventBrite registration is required in order to guarantee seats, internet service and lunch for all participants.
No. EventBrite registration is required in order to guarantee seats, internet service and lunch for all participants.
Participants are required to have a Challenge Post account in order to accept the hackathon rules and guidelines. Projects and teams must be defined in the event's Challenge Post page.
No. Participation in the Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon is FREE. Seats are limited and registration is required.
Yes. Snacks and lunch will be available for all registered hackers, thanks to the Tech Summit 2015 sponsors.
EventBrite registration is required in order to guarantee seats, internet service and lunch for all participants.
No. The Hackathon Pass only gives access to the Hackathon event.
TV displays will be available in the Hackathon area for the participants enjoyment.
Remember, if you don't bring your laptop you may not be allowed to participate.
Seats, lunch and internet service are only available to registered participants. Stay tuned for the live streaming details and announcement.
Yes. Stay tuned for the live streaming details and announcement.
If you work for media, please contact the Tech Summit 2015 media team:
- Milestone Communications: 1-787-641-2164
- Email: info@techsummitpr.com
Copyright (c) 2015 Code 4 Puerto Rico.
The Tech Summit 2015 Hackathon Rules, Tracks and FAQ was developed by Alberto A. Colón Viera with feedback and input from the Code 4 Puerto Rico Core Team and the Tech Summit Organizing Committee.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.