At AfroTech, we believe in the power of technology to drive positive change. That’s why we’re thrilled to host this virtual hackathon, dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting developers as they build solutions that make a difference for communities of color.

 

Our Mission

This hackathon is more than just a coding challenge—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the incredible potential of technology. We’re here to welcome you into a space where your voice matters and where your contributions can shape the future.

 

What to Expect

The core objective of this initiative is to challenge participants to build their own applications that integrate LLM APIs of existing technologies via a virtual hackathon leading up to the AfroTech Conference.

 

Participants will be challenged to build or update a software application that integrates APIs from Google Gemini or OpenAI and fits into one of the following categories:

  • Health and Medical
  • Sustainability
  • Cyber Security and Risk
  • Skills-based Workforce Development

Our friends at OpenAI are providing $25 in credits to use in this Hackathon to the first 500 eligible builders that apply. Request access to $25 USD in open.ai credits by filling out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6iqyw0q0GlrnjCXHwgE502PxraaeWJ_r4-tTEb7LytxUhHg/viewform?usp=sf_link. Credits will be distributed on Fridays. 

Requirements

The core objective of this initiative is to challenge participants to build their own applications that integrate LLM APIs of existing technologies via a virtual hackathon leading up to the AfroTech Conference.

Participants will be challenged to build or update a software application that integrates APIs from Google Gemini or OpenAI and fits into one of the following categories:

  • Health and Medical
  • Sustainability
  • Cyber Security and Risk
  • Skills-based Workforce Development

Submissions to the Hackathon must meet the following requirements:

  • Include a Project built with the required developer tools and meets the above Project Requirements.

  • Include a text description that should explain the features and functionality of your Project.

  • Include a demonstration video of your Project. The video portion of the Submission:

    • should be around three (3) minutes. Judges are not required to watch beyond three minutes 

    • should include footage that shows the Project functioning on the device for which it was built

    • must be uploaded to and made publicly visible on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook Video, or Youku, and a link to the video must be provided on the submission form on the Hackathon Website; and

    • must not include third party trademarks, or copyrighted music or other material unless the Entrant has permission to use such material.

  • Include a URL to your public code repository

  • Include a public URL to your app

Multiple Submissions 

An Entrant may submit more than one Submission, however, each Submission must be unique and substantially different from each of the Entrant’s other Submissions, as determined by the Sponsor and Devpost in their sole discretion.

Submission ownership

Be the original work of the Entrant, be solely owned by the Entrant, and not violate the IP rights of any other person or entity.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$15,000 in prizes
First Place
1 winner

$7,500 USD Cash Prize
Up to $5,000 USD Team Travel Reimbursement for AfroTech Conference 2024
Complimentary AfroTech Conference 2024 All-Access Ticket
AfroTech.com Editorial Feature post event
Complimentary AfroTech Insider Membership

Second Place
1 winner

$5,000 USD Cash Prize
Complimentary AfroTech Conference 2024 Executive Ticket
AfroTech.com Editorial Feature post event
Complimentary AfroTech Insider Membership

Third Place
1 winner

$2,500 USD Cash Prize
Complimentary AfroTech Conference 2024 General Admission Ticket
Complimentary AfroTech Insider Membership

Honorable Mention
1 winner

Up to $1000 reimbursement in travel expenses
Up to 4 Conference Tickets

Runners Up
6 winners

Up to 4 Conference Tickets

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Jeff Nelson

Jeff Nelson
Chief Operating Officer, Blavity Inc.

Howard Ekundayo

Howard Ekundayo
Member of Technical Staff - ChatGPT Core / Foundations Engineering, OpenAI

Gary Kensey

Gary Kensey
SVP and CIO, Global Services Group & Corporate TechnologySVP and CIO, Global Services Group & Corporate Technology, American Express

Aaron Russell

Aaron Russell
Director, Edge Network Infrastructure, Meta

Judging Criteria

  • Technological Implementation
    Does the project demonstrate quality software development? How is the quality of the code?
  • Design
    Is the user experience and design of the project well thought out? Is there a balanced blend of frontend and backend in the software?
  • Potential Impact
    How big of an impact could the project have on communities of color?
  • Quality of the Idea
    How creative and unique is the project? Does the concept exist already? If so, how much does the project improve on it?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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