GirlCodeHack is an annual 30 hour hackathon held in August, in celebration of Women’s month in South Africa.This year's hackathon is a special one, as GirlCode is Celebrating 10 Years and this hackathon will span over 10 African cities.

The hackathon is designed to spark, renew and elevate an interest in coding amongst young women, in particular those that are in University/College. The hackathon was created to provide young women, eager to join the software industry with an opportunity to develop some of the real-world skills they need to enter the world of work. Through the hackathon, we aim to raise awareness of female technical talent and foster a competitive, yet cooperative, and congenial culture for talented female techie.

The overarching theme of the GirlCode Hackathon revolves around aligning technology, innovation, and female empowerment to drive positive change within the context of the UN SDGs. Each participating team will delve into one specific goal, exploring creative and impactful solutions that not only address the challenges presented but also contribute to the sustainable development of their communities and beyond.

 

Requirements

Imagine a world where technology solves real-world problems effortlessly. The GirlCode hackathon is your chance to make that vision a reality.

In your communities, you encounter various challenges that align with the 17 UN SDGs. Your task is to select one SDG that resonates with you and develop a technology-driven solution that tackles a specific issue related to that SDG. Your solution should aim to create meaningful change, improve livelihoods, and contribute towards achieving sustainable development.

Consider factors such as:
- Relevance: How does the chosen SDG align with the challenges faced in your community, and how can your solution address them effectively?
- Innovation: How can technology be leveraged to create innovative solutions that have a lasting impact on the chosen SDG?
- Collaboration: How can you collaborate with stakeholders in your community to ensure the success and sustainability of your solution?
- Scalability: How can your solution be scaled up to reach a larger population and make a broader impact?

Use the latest tech platforms, or any other programming language you love. Show us how you can leverage these tools to create something unique and impactful.We’re looking for ideas that can go beyond the hackathon. Could your project evolve into a startup? Can it make a significant impact on its target audience?

Our hackathon is designed to challenge you at every step, culminating in a spectacular in-person event. Here’s how your adventure unfolds:

Stage 1: Presentation
Deadline: 16 August 2024

Your first mission is to dream big and share your vision. We want to see your initial ideas and concepts come to life through a compelling presentation. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Title: Craft a catchy, descriptive title for your project.
  2. Intoduction: Introduce your team members by stating their Name, Age, Email address and Location.
  3. Description: Provide a brief summary of your project’s purpose and what it aims to achieve.
  4. Presentation Deck: Create a 5-10 slide presentation that outlines:
    • The problem you’re addressing.
    • Your innovative solution.
    • The technology you plan to use.
    • The potential impact of your project.

Upload your presentation on DevPost and get ready to wow us with your ideas! Only the most promising projects will advance to the next stage. 

Stage 2: Demos
Deadline:23 August 2024

Now it’s time to transform your vision into a working prototype. Show us what you’ve built so far with a dazzling demo. Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Demo Video:
    • Length: 5 minutes.
    • Content: Demonstrate your project’s functionality, highlight key features, and explain the technology behind it.

Upload your demo on DevPost and let your code do the talking! Only the top projects will earn a spot in the grand finale. 

Stage 3: The Grand Finale -  GirlCode Hackathon 2024
Event Date: 31 August 2024 - 1 September 2024

The final stage is where the magic happens. Join us in person for a 30 hour electrifying GirlCode hackathon 2024 event where you’ll:

  1. Build and Polish: Continue working on your project, refine your code, and add those final touches.
  2. Mentor Sessions: Get expert advice and feedback from industry mentors.
  3. Live Demos: Present your polished project to a panel of judges and an enthusiastic audience.
  4. Networking: Connect with fellow hackers, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.

 

"We can't wait to see your innovative solutions at every stage of this hackathon. Let your creativity soar and your code shine, and may the best project rise to the top!"
"The GirlCode Hackathon 2024 Team"

 

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$27,140 in prizes
Grand Prize - Grace Hopper Conference
1 winner

-$27 000 USD

-All expenses paid trip for the winning team to attend the Grace Hopper Conference in the United States of America (tickets to the conference included).

-Feature in GirlCode and Chenosis Website.

-Social Media Promotion.

1st Prize
1 winner

- Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15IGL05 Celeron N4020 8GB 256GB SSD FHD 15.6" Notebook

-Amazon Vouches to the value of $70

-Volkano Bluetooth Headphones - Lunar Series - Black & Silver

2nd Prize
1 winner

- 10' Tablets

- Amazon Voucher worth the value of $50

- Volkano Bluetooth Headphones - Lunar Series - Black & Silve

3rd Prize
1 winner

-7' Tablets

-Amazon Voucher to the value of $20

-Volkano Bluetooth Headphones - Lunar Series - Black & Silver

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Mbali Mngoma

Mbali Mngoma
GirlCode

Pearl Mahlanga

Pearl Mahlanga
GirlCode

Judging Criteria

  • Key Points
    • Innovation and Creativity • Technical Execution • Impact and Usefulness • Presentation and Demo • Feasibility and Scalability

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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Hackathon sponsors

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