Equity Hackathon 2nd Edition

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Hackathon #002

Equity Group will be running a Hackathon that is open to Equity Leaders Programme (ELP) Beneficiaries.

Please see more information on the Hackathon below.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is a Hackathon?

A hackathon is an event, typically hosted by a company or organization, in which participants gather for a short period of time to collaborate on a project to find practical solutions to business problems.

Will this be a Virtual or a Physical Hackathon?

Since participants are in varied locations, this will be a fully virtual hackathon.

What platform will be used for collaboration and engagements?

We will make use of the HackerEarth platform for all participant engagements.

Do I need to be a developer to participate?

You do not need to be a developer to participate. The hackathon is open to all professions. Participants can form groups where each participant contributes their expertise.  Those who are not developers can be subject matter experts in their groups. Other participants can contribute their user experience expertise.  

Who will be judging?

The judging panel will consist of carefully chosen subject matter experts and software engineers who will conduct a free, fair, and transparent judging process.

I have a question not answered in the FAQs. What should I do?

Please feel free to send any queries on the discussion page of the hackathon platform and we shall respond to them. Alternatively, you may send us an email at info.hackathon@equitybank.co.ke. We will be happy to assist and add the question & responses to this list so everybody can benefit.

Can I participate in more than one criterion?

Yes, you may participate in more than one criterion if you meet the requirements.

REGISTRATION:

How do I register?

After clicking on the registration link, fill in and submit your details as outlined. We will get back to you regarding the steps.

What are the participation requirements?

To participate, you must be a beneficiary of the Equity group foundation scholarship programs I.e Equity Leaders Programme (ELP) Beneficiary & Wings to fly program.

When is the registration period?

The online registration period is from 14^th November to 8^th December 2022.

Am I required to register as part of a team?

No, you are not required to register in a team. Every participant will register individually via the online registration link that will be provided. Should you wish to team up with friends who are also beneficiaries of Equity Group Foundation’s education programs, be sure to ask your friends to register for the hackathon during the registration period. Once you are all registered individually, you can form a team.

How do I form a team?

After individual registration, you can form a team or join a team with any other participants. You can discover new people while on the HackerEarth platform. Use it to look for teammates.

Will there be a maximum number of members per team?

Yes, we will only allow the formation of a group with a maximum of 5 participants. The team will also need to nominate a team leader.

What are the participation costs?

You are not required to pay any amount to participate in the Hackathon.
You will only need your personal devices, internet access, and a place to work during the hacking period.

A.  HACKING

How long is the hacking period?

The Hacking period is between 2^nd January to 15^th January 2023.

Can I use any programming language?

YES. You can use any programming language you are familiar with to build your solution.

Do I need prior knowledge or participation experience in hackathons?

No. You do not need to have participated in a hackathon to demonstrate your prowess in this hackathon.

B.  TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP

Will I get any form of training after I successfully register?

Yes. There will be a training session on the problem statements that will be presented to you to solve as well as the expectations.

How will the training be conducted?

There will be instructor-led training conducted by the Equity team on the problem statements. The training materials will be available in the resource center for any future reference.

Will I have a mentor available to me for guidance during the Hackathon period?

Yes. There will be mentors available during the hackathon period who will be able to offer guidance and support for your project.

What are the timelines?

Registration starts on the 14^th of November and will be open for five weeks. We will share the full calendar of events after registration.

AWARDS

How will the winners be selected?

There will be an independent Jury selecting the winners with a rating system: (achievability, financial benefits, presentation skills, creativity).

There will be 3 rounds of judging:

1. a)Idea Submission Phase
2. b)Technical Phase
3. c)Final Judging Phase

What are the prizes to be won?

The prizes for the hackathon are as follows:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

What are the key dates to keep in mind during this hackathon?