Over $100k in prizes up for grabs at Auckland Blockchain hackfest

A hackfest will reveal the versatility of blockchain technology on the weekend of 6-7th October as part of the week-long Blockworks conference, New Zealand’s premier blockchain event.
The free hackfest will be held at Auckland University of Technology and hosted by leading blockchain venture studio Centrality, with support from web development school Enspiral Dev Academy and business accelerator Lightning Labs.

The big prize is a wild card entry to the Centrality Accelerator, worth over $100,000. The Centrality Accelerator provides a physical space where developers, businesses and entrepreneurs can work in close collaboration with Centrality. In it they enter an intensive programme and receive support to scale their idea within a blockchain ecosystem to become commercially successful.

There are also $2,000 of Centrality (CENNZ) tokens up for grabs and spot prizes on the day. Entries are open to individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and teams from universities and schools.

General Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Centrality, Andy Higgs says the hackfest is the ideal opportunity for people to test and develop in the blockchain environment and demonstrate the potential of their ideas.

“We’re looking for ideas that harness the power of blockchain technology. Hackfests are a proven means to bring great minds together to get the most out of emerging tech like decentralised ledgers.

“We’re keen to see what the Kiwi IT community can create – and we want to reward that creativity with prizes beyond monetary value. We’re want to provide the support, the encouragement and the help bright minds need make successful blockchain technologies.”

The hackfest will have two streams of activity.

The first is an “open hack” where a team brings an existing project for the onsite Centrality team to enhance with blockchain technology. The winner of the open hack will be eligible for the Centrality Accelerator $100,000 prize.

There is also the “take the challenge” stream where a blockchain task is set for small teams to work together to solve a current business problem. People can either come as a team or join one on the day. This will empower individuals or businesses to achieve more from an idea using blockchain. Prizes in this section include Centrality tokens worth $2,000 as well as spot prizes.

Justin Flitter, founder of Blockworks says the hackfest will suit a wide range of people, from those who have worked with blockchain for a while to those keen to learn.

“You can be a technical professional with a good understanding about blockchain, an entrepreneur with great ideas, a software developer, technologist or a student who wants more exposure to this fast growing industry.

“This is a great opportunity to validate an idea, work on your problem statement and blockchain use case, or just take part, learn, experiment and improve your skills.

“And best of all it’s free – we’re all looking forward to a fun weekend where we all learn a lot.”

To register for the Blockworks hackfest, click here.

Blockworks is New Zealand's premier blockchain event and includes the hackfest on 6th and 7th October, workshops on 11th and a full-day conference on Friday 12th. It’s aim is to give people a practical insight on the potential for blockchain to benefit Kiwis, bring prosperity and support New Zealand. It features an international line of speakers presenting how the technology will transform New Zealand business, Government and society.

ENDS

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