OPEND/I HACKATHON

Building the next generation of open data and open infrastructure for the future

Come and join us for a 30-day intensive hackathon, collaborating with the brightest minds in data, cloud technology, infrastructure, blockchain & smart contracts, zero-knowledge proofs, cryptography, and AI. During this hackathon, you get to work alone or with a small team, virtually or in person (Sydney, Australia), to elevate your creativity, problem-solving, and team collaboration skills to the next level.

It is important to know that your commitments, contributions, and innovations won't be benefiting just a corporation where only a few will gain. This hackathon is about building open-source data and IT infrastructure that will benefit everyone.

The OpenD/I Hackathon is hosted alongside the OpenD/I conference. OpenD/I is a dedicated global initiative that brings together brilliant minds in the tech industry to create open data and open infrastructures that will be pivotal in shaping the next 10-20 years.

WHAT MATTERS THE MOST

• Data and information are the most valuable commodities in the world. Unfortunately, a handful of corporate monopolies are in charge of and control 90% of data and IT infrastructure, and we are expected to trust them. Important academic and scientific research, financial records, cancer and public health data, planetary science, and astrological data are locked away in "deep web" databases and remain inaccessible to the public.
• This isn't just bad for business; it's detrimental to everyone. Information asymmetry has led to social inequality, scandals, polarization, and corruption. At times, it has even sparked conflicts. Centralized data control acts as a potential chokepoint for innovation, raises privacy concerns, and creates a bottleneck for the free flow of data.
• The recent trend is that the same corporations that hold vast amounts of data also possess the most powerful AI capabilities. Is this an early sign of checkmate for humanity? We should not underestimate this and take this matter seriously.
• To preserve a democratized society, data and critical IT infrastructure should be open and easily accessible to the general public, with no barriers to entry and minimal interference from private corporations, regulations, or governments.
• Instead of consolidating everything in one basket, we should have data and IT infrastructure that isn't solely controlled by corporations. The traditional centralized architecture of the Internet relies on a centralized server to store and manage all the data for a given application. By leveraging cryptographic principles, distributed ledger technologies, and modern decentralized data architecture (data mesh), we have an opportunity and a limited window of time to establish a New Era of data infrastructure standards. Instead of placing all our trust in corporations and the individuals who run them, we should embrace Open Data Protocols and Open Infrastructures with trust, security, transparency, and traceability built into their design.

WHY JOIN?

• Global issues require global collaboration. Collective voices and initiatives like this hackathon serve as opportunities to raise awareness, explore new ideas, and unite pioneers, entrepreneurs, innovators, developers, and change-makers in advocating for an open, decentralized web. Together, we can shape a democratic tech future. This endeavor isn't solely about technology but rather about shaping the next 10-20 years of the internet, safeguarding democracy, and ensuring the free flow of information for generations to come.
• Getting the design right is of utmost importance. It's crucial for us to have the design thoroughly reviewed and questioned by many. Technology is advancing rapidly, and we must develop technologies responsibly. Fostering innovation and growth while preserving what is most essential for humanity is vital for securing a better future.
• Throughout this hackathon, your hard work, commitment, contributions, and innovation won't solely benefit a private company where only a few will reap the rewards. You will be part of a broad movement dedicated to constructing open-source data and IT infrastructure that will benefit everyone, and possibly shed light on addressing some daunting scalability, security, and interoperability challenges.

Other than that,

• Discover and Learn about Groundbreaking Innovations in Data, Cloud, Blockchain, AI, and Web3 Infrastructure from Visionaries!
• Compete for a share of the $47,500 in prizes.
• You will gain access to our open-source technology, virtual conferences, networking events, after-parties (for those in Sydney, multiple after-parties are available), office hours, career fairs, mentoring sessions, pitch nights, and much more.
• Forge connections within expansive open-source communities and with fellow developers and startups.
• Access to numerous open projects.
• Engage with the Openmesh team to share your insights and potentially have your work featured on a Google-owned website.
• Advance your career - outstanding candidates may receive full-time job offers.

WHAT IS Openmesh

Openmesh is a full-stack, decentralized data cloud infrastructure built on a global network of bare metal servers. It is the largest open data lake, covering approximately 80% of the entire crypto and web3 ecosystem today. Openmesh enables anyone to create their own decentralized data cloud, connect globally, share data securely, slash deployment costs, and automate data cloud setup. The Openmesh Network is designed to collect, store, process, stream, and provide data connectivity for anyone, anywhere, anytime, without the need for registration, licensing, or payments. Think of Openmesh as the internet's open data fabric. It grants universal access and prevents interferences created by regulators, governments, corporations, and even its own creators. The possibilities are endless.

SCHEDULE & IMPORTANT DATES

• 28 Nov:  Hackathon Official Announcement. Details for all four hackathons will be available on this day. Remember to get your tickets.

• 28 Nov - 02 Dec: Team formation. Network and find your fellow teammates.

• 02 Dec & 04 Dec: Orientation Days

• 05 Dec: Start Hacking!

• 05  - 22 Dec: Mentoring sessions, workshops, networking events, pitch nights, and much more

• 22 Dec: Judge and winner selection (virtual and in-person). Pitch nights, final product demonstrations, and selection of winning teams.

• 27 - 28 Dec - Winning Teams Announcements & After Party

• Technological Implementation
  Does the project demonstrate quality software development?
• Design
  Is the user experience and design of the project well thought out?
• Potential Impact
  How big of an impact could the project have on the blockchain community?
• Quality of the Idea
  How creative and unique is the project?