General Questions
How do I follow the hackathon and get updates?
Whom can I contact if I have questions about the hackathon?
Submission Requirements
What do I need to use to build my app?
Do I have to enter my app into one of the categories?
What APIs or datasets can I include in my app?
Why do I have to upload a video?
What should I put in my video?
Testing Process
How can I provide Devpost with access to test my app?
Eligibility & IP
Who is eligible to enter the competition?
We are an organization. Can we enter?
Do the apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting?
Can more than one person work on a solution and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?
Can my app win more than one prize?
Can I enter more than one app?
Do I retain intellectual property ownership?
What else will you do with my submission?
How do I follow the hackathon and get updates?
When you register for the hackathon, you’ll automatically be signed up to receive email updates about it. Follow us on Twitter at @Devpost.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the hackathon?
Email support@devpost.com or post a question to the Intelligent World Hackathon Discussion Board. You can also post your question on the dedicated hackathon Slack channel.
What do I need to use to build my app?
To be eligible for prizes, participants must build and submit apps on GE’s Predix platform. App submissions must use:
- at least two (2) Intelligent Environment services from EITHER the Enterprise (indoor) OR Cities (outdoor) options listed on the Predix IO catalog; and
- at least one (1) additional GE Predix service from any service category on the Predix IO catalog.
Submissions must be web or mobile web apps. Submitted apps should address problems that intelligent lighting and its sensors can help solve in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Please note that to be eligible for the Grand Prize, submissions must include one or more of the Intelligent Environment Cities services: Traffic Planning, Parking Planning, Pedestrian Planning, or Public Safety.
Do I have to enter my app in one of the categories?
Yes, all entries must be entered into one of the following categories.
- Traffic and/or Parking
- Public Safety
- Pedestrian Planning
- Intelligent Buildings (Commercial or Retail)
Category definitions can be found on the Categories page. Please note that to be eligible for the Grand Prize, submissions must include one or more of the Intelligent Environment Cities services: Traffic Planning, Parking Planning, Pedestrian Planning, or Public Safety.
Can I used other APIs or datasets in my app?
You may use whatever APIs, SDKs, and datasets you choose, as long as you are authorized to use and distribute them. Remember, you MUST meet the requirements above in order to be eligible for a prize.
Note that apps may NOT be published on IBM, Amazon, Salesforce, or any other non-Predix platforms. Submitters may utilize services from these or other vendors, but must not publish their submitted applications publicly on these or any other non-Predix platform.
Why do I have to upload a video?
A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your app. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges and will give you the opportunity to explain your approach in designing your application. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that demonstrates the application’s features.
What should I put in my video?
Aside from your actual app, your submission video is one of the most important parts of your entry. In fact, it’s often one of the first, and sometimes only, things that judges view. Make a great first impression by following these tips on what to include in your video:
- Tell your story step-by-step. Your video should include an explanation of the problem addressed and a demo of the app itself. While audio isn’t required, narration or text bubbles can help judges understand your submission.
- Keep it simple. Per the Official Rules, your video shouldn’t be longer than five minutes. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
- Don’t wait until the last minute to upload your video. Keep in mind that the time it takes to upload/process a video on YouTube or Vimeo varies greatly depending on the format of your original video, the file size, upload traffic and Internet connection speed, and could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or more.
How can I provide Devpost with access to test my app?
All submissions must include an active URL where app is deployed. Please enter this URL in the “Active web URL where app is deployed” field on your submission form.
Who is eligible to enter the competition?
This hackathon is open to:
- Individuals (who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry)
- Teams of eligible individuals
- Organizations (up to 50 employees)
Residents and organizations of the following countries/regions are not eligible: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, China, Russia, Brazil, Quebec, and Italy.
Employees of the GE, Devpost, and contractors currently employed by GE or Devpost are not eligible.
Software partners and those receiving funding or assistance from GE for application development are not eligible. Any application that is or was funded or compensated, partially or fully, by GE for its development is not eligible for entry.
Please review the Official Rules for complete eligibility requirements.
We are an organization. Can we enter?
Organizations with 50 or fewer employees may enter and compete for cash prizes. Organizations with more than 50 employees may enter as well, however, they may only compete only for the Large Organization Recognition Award, which has no cash prize.
Residents and organizations of the following countries/regions are not eligible: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, China, Russia, Brazil, Quebec, and Italy.
Do the apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting?
Both new and existing apps may be submitted, as long as the submitter and app adheres to all other requirements. Please note that all apps must be realistically achievable with existing technologies within the near term. Apps must not have reliance on a technology that is not yet announced or introduced in the market.
Can more than one person work on an app and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?
Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals or an organization is selected as an award winner, the full prize amount will be sent to the submitter. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money between the team members, as they deem it appropriate.
Can my app win more than one prize?
Yes. Depending on the Intelligent Environment services used, submissions entered by eligible individuals, teams of individuals, and organizations can compete for ONE (1) overall prize OR category award, as well as the Best App Created by a Student/Team of Students Award if they meet the eligibility requirements of that award.
Please note that to be eligible for the Grand Prize, submissions must include one or more of the Intelligent Environment Cities services: Traffic Planning, Parking Planning, Pedestrian Planning, or Public Safety.
Can I enter more than one app?
No, only one application may be submitted per team/submitter.
Do I retain intellectual property ownership?
Yes. By submitting an app to the hackathon, you do not transfer any intellectual property rights to the Sponsor or Devpost. The Sponsor and Devpost will have the right to feature all apps entered in the competition for promotional purposes. See the Official Rules for details.
What else will you do with my submission?
The Sponsor and Devpost will have the right to publicly display your submission on the hackathon website. They will also be allowed to publicize your name on the hackathon website in connection with the submission and the hackathon during the competition and for 36 months after its conclusion. For more information on publicity rights, please see the Official Rules.