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FAQ for the 2017 Hackaday Prize

A contest log for The 2017 Hackaday Prize

The Hackaday Prize is back for the fourth year! Challenge yourself, make something amazing, change the world with your talent.

sophi-kravitzSophi Kravitz 04/07/2017 at 12:2316 Comments

FAQ

If you have more questions, please email us at prize@hackaday.com. We look forward to seeing your projects!

How do I enter?

There is a dropdown menu below your project image. Simply start a project and click the dropdown, from there you will see 2017 Hackaday Prize.

Here is a convenient video tutorial on how to enter your project into the Hackaday Prize:

What is considered an entry?

Put simply, you need an idea, and image, and documentation. To start you simply talk about a technology problem facing people today and your idea of what a solution might be. Yes, you can enter the first challenge with just an idea and be eligible to be selected to move to the final round. This is what Challenge 1 is all about.

Challenges 2 - 5 invite you to start building something and documenting. You need 4 project logs or instructions in Challenges 2 - 5 to move into the finals.

Challenge five is for those who don't like to be tied down. Build anything you want to solve the problem you have chosen. Bask in your own creativity.

Those who prefer more constraints will excel in Challenges 2, 3, and 4 which tackle specific themes.

What are the 5 Challenges? When do they start/end?

Each of the 5 Challenges are a 5-week first round from which 20 entries will advance to the final round.

When are the winners for each round announced?

Winners will be announced about 1-2 weeks after the close of each round.

Can I enter if I'm under 18 years old?

Minors between 13 and 18 are eligible to enter the 2017 Hackaday Prize.

When you enter as a team of collaborators, there is a link “younger than 18” next to the check box (see image below). When you click that link, it brings you to a parental consent form link (dropbox), which you should have a parent fill out and then upload using the “choose file” button below.

Here is a link to the form: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hgnazev2rdmzpt7/THP_Parental_Consent_Form.pdf

Here is a convenient video tutorial on how to enter the Hackaday Prize as a minor:

I was a finalist in 2014, 2015 or 2016, can I enter the same project again?

If you won anything in a previous presentation of The Hackaday Prize that project is not eligible for entry in this Contest. You may enter with a substantially different project.

Can I re-enter my project from 2014, 2015 or 2016?

You can enter a previous Prize entry, but you must create a new project page and the project must be significantly different from when previously entered and show meaningful development during the course of the Contest.

How many Challenges do I need to participate in?

You must participate in at least one challenge to be eligible for the final round. We encourage you to participate in more but it is not required.

Is it possible to win more than one Challenge?

Yes. The same Project Profile may be entered in any or all of the challenge rounds using the "Submit Project To..." menu found on your project page. Projects should adhere to the theme of the challenge so you may also consider entering several projects in different rounds.

How do I see which projects have already been entered?

Check out this full list of official entries.

How much of my Project Profile will I be judged upon?

All parts of your project will be judged. We recommend you start with a brief summary to provide an overall understanding of your project. From there, explain each part in detail, adding images and diagrams as needed. A video is only required for the final round, but if you want to make one to help walk through your project that is a great idea.

Where do I submit my prize project entry video?

On the Edit Project page add the link to your entry video in the Contest Entry Videos field and click save.

What does "open" actually mean?

Open refers to how much you have documented about your project and how much you will make available to the public when you push your project out into the world. Optimally, we would like to see open source drivers, hardware, and development tools; the final project would also be licensed as open source (using the wide range of licenses that are possible). This is a judging preference, so providing design files in a format that uses open source tools (and therefore allows others to easily use or modify them), will help you with the best chance of edging out your competition.

We now have FindChips Pro for Hackaday Prize entrants! You can share your BOM with everyone!

What are the judges using as criteria for who moves on to the final round?

You must complete the minimum entry requirements for the Challenge. Your entry will be judged on the following criteria:

What is the Best Product Prize?

The Best Product category was a great success in 2015. We've brought it back again to see what it takes to get from prototype to production. If you are willing to take on some extra requirements you can win $30,000 in addition to being eligible for the other prizes. Your build must be submitted as an entry in The Best Product challenge before the 7/24/17 deadline.

Yes, you can enter any of the Hackaday Prize rounds in addition to the Best Product Challenge.

Discussions

lachlan wrote 08/03/2017 at 10:01 point

I have two questions. Firstly, is an exclusively software entry ok? I've noticed that most of the entrants are hardware... Secondly, what I would like to enter is part of a bigger project for a startup and so I would not be able to release any of the code under open licensing, would that immediately disqualify us or make it highly likely that we won't progress through the competition?

  Are you sure? yes | no

PK wrote 04/30/2017 at 21:56 point

For an entry which you might enter in a later round (... Anything Goes), should that have an outline sketched up before Round One closes or can it be entered later?

  Are you sure? yes | no

Rishaldy Prisly wrote 05/01/2017 at 05:03 point

you can be entered later, as i know

  Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 05/01/2017 at 14:49 point

Hi PK! You can enter it later

  Are you sure? yes | no

Rishaldy Prisly wrote 04/30/2017 at 17:57 point

hi, the winner of each round will be announced in the end of each round or they will be announced together (120) before the final

  Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 05/01/2017 at 14:49 point

Hi Rishaldy! The winners for each round will be announced about 1-2 weeks after the round closes.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Rishaldy Prisly wrote 05/01/2017 at 15:07 point

hi sophi but Dusan Petrovic said that 

"The winner of every round will be announced in the end of each round. Design your concept round is ending today, May 1st 7am PDT and along with that seed money, as well."

I think that I misunderstood, so the correct answer is 2 weeks from today right? Im sorry im just got nervous with this challenge. This is my first. And you know, it feels like... huh, i will never win this challenge, but i want to be the one of 20 winners. Ahah

  Are you sure? yes | no

Rishaldy Prisly wrote 05/01/2017 at 15:09 point

one more thing, where's the winners list  will be announced? If you already have a link, i will check it everyda

  Are you sure? yes | no

Siddhant Choyal wrote 04/30/2017 at 15:12 point

Can I enter more than one project in one round...like can I just post 3 projects for IoT ?

  Are you sure? yes | no

davedarko wrote 04/30/2017 at 16:54 point

yes

  Are you sure? yes | no

Siddhant Choyal wrote 04/30/2017 at 17:23 point

ohh! THANK YOU soooo much dave for the helpful reply! 😀🤘👍...I'm so glad to be here and meet people like you! Thanks again dave! 😊

  Are you sure? yes | no

davedarko wrote 04/30/2017 at 18:30 point

not sure if sarcastic or overly excited, but you're welcome :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

Siddhant Choyal wrote 04/30/2017 at 18:42 point

I'm really THANKFUL and Glad to see you here! 😊👍 ALSO VERY EXITED 😅😅😁

  Are you sure? yes | no

K.C. Lee wrote 04/30/2017 at 17:30 point

Only problem is that you are also competing against your other entries as the judges have to narrow down the winner to the next round.  What might have been a innovative way of doing things over other entries now becomes tiring after seeing it for the 3rd time.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Siddhant Choyal wrote 04/30/2017 at 18:42 point

Thank you very much Lee for that helpful response! So glad to see you here Lee !😊👍😁

  Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 05/01/2017 at 14:50 point

yes

  Are you sure? yes | no