The third annual "Hacking Mount Pearl" is happening virtually March 25th-27th, 2022! This year, we're focusing on issues relating to business recovery as we emerge from a global pandemic. We’ll provide the resources and mentorship, you just need to bring your creativity and ideas!

Hacking Mount Pearl is a 3-day event that will (virtually) bring together entrepreneurs, business professionals, designers, developers, innovators, and anyone with a keen interest in designing for the future.

Participants will have the opportunity to innovate, network, get advice from experts, and build a solution – all in one weekend. Teams will present their finished products in front of a panel of judges for a chance to win great prizes!

HOW TO HACK

Hacking Mount Pearl is a weekend-long event aimed at driving innovation and encouraging creative solutions to community challenges. Never been to a hackathon before? Not sure what it is?

Hacking is a process that brings people from various backgrounds and disciplines together to use technology and innovation to transform ideas into reality. Teams immerse themselves in developing solutions and building prototypes for the identified challenges and opportunities. Others, such as mentors and technical experts, can offer their guidance to teams throughout the weekend. The expected result from each team is a technology-based prototype with basic functionality, at a minimum. Examples could include an app, web-based software solution, etc.

The event culminates with a judging panel selecting the winning prototypes based on team presentations on the final day of the event. Prototypes demonstrate how a solution would work for the community and how the prototype can be further developed and brought to market. Click here to see the team presentations from Hacking Mount Pearl 2020!

This year, we'll be meeting virtually, using a variety of tools including Slack and Zoom.

WHO CAN HACK

We welcome everyone and anyone to participate - entrepreneurs, students, business professionals, residents, community leaders, collaborators, marketers, technologists, creatives, designers, developers, innovators, or anyone with a keen interest in designing for the future. You have a place here! At least one member of your team must be currently studying, working, or residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.

All Hackers will receive the following:

• A fun experience with peers and creative entrepreneurs
• Experience in problem-solving, creative thinking, and (of course) programming
• A chance to win great prizes

HOW TO REGISTER

You must register as a team (2-5 members). To create a team:

1. Click "register"
2. Select "create your team" (You must log into your eventbrite account)
3. Create team name
4. Select number of team members
5. Click "register"
6. Enter team details
7. Click "register"

Registration closes at 12pm on Friday, March 25th.

PRIZES

First Place

$3,000 cash + 1 seat in the Genesis Centre Evolution Program + Free 1-year membership in TechNL + Free 1-year Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce membership

Second Place

$1,500 cash + 1 seat in the Genesis Centre Evolution Program + Free membership in TechNL + Free 1-year Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce membership

Third Place

$500 cash + 1 seat in the Genesis Centre Evolution Program + Free membership in TechNL + Free 1-year Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce membership

CHALLENGE

Participants will be presented with one challenge statement relating to business recovery. As we emerge from a global pandemic, businesses and industries have suffered and are still facing many challenges.

The full challenge statement, along with details and resources will be released on day 1 of the Hackathon.

SCHEDULE (NST TIME)

Friday, March 25:

7:00 pm: Kick-off, challenge overview, and keynote speaker!

Keynote Speaker: Adam Keating, Co-Founder and CEO, CoLab Software

8:30 pm: Hacking begins!

Saturday, March 26:

9:00 am: Saturday check-in + Creativity Session (hosted by Business and Arts NL)

10:00 am: Mentoring sessions begin

4:00 pm: Pitch clinic

6:00 pm: Trivia (prizes involved!)

Sunday, March 27:

9:00 am: Sunday check-in

1:00 pm: Solution presentations + judging

3:30 pm: Winners announced and closing remarks

LOGISTICS

This year, we'll be meeting virtually, using a variety of tools including Slack and Zoom.

PARTNERS

FAQs

If we're not meeting in person this year, how will it work?

We'll use a number of online tools (Slack, Zoom, etc) to conduct the hackathon, but we're confident you'll still have a great experience and have fun!

What if I've never participated in a hackathon before?

Welcome! Participants of all skill levels will be involved. We’ll have mentors and staff to help you with your project. Hackathons can be a great place to learn new skills in a short amount of time! Just be eager to learn, and excited to meet lots of awesome people.

Who can participate?

We welcome everyone and anyone to participate - entrepreneurs, students, business professionals, residents, community leaders, collaborators, marketers, technologists, creatives, designers, developers, innovators, or anyone with a keen interest in designing for the future. You have a place!

Do I need to know how to code?

Nope! If you’re a visionary, marketer, designer, salesperson or business student, your design and pitching skills will be very valuable!

Can I work on my hack before the event?

No. To maintain competition integrity and fairness, all work on your hack must be done during the event. All projects with prior work done will be eliminated from judging.

Do I register as an individual or as a team?

Participants must register as a team.

How many people are on a team?

2-5 people per team.

Where do I find more information?

Send us a message on our Slack workspace under #questions, or feel free to email us at hackathon@mountpearl.ca.