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The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has invited start-ups, computer programmers, software developers, business analysts and graphic designers from across Qatar and around the globe to compete in the second edition of CodeCamp, to be held from October 27-29.
As part of the CodeCamp event, participants will compete in a hackathon, where they will be challenged to develop smart solutions for five unique-use cases from local enterprises.
Teams will get 48 hours beginning on October 27 (before the main event) and ending on the first day of the Qatar IT Conference and Exhibition (Qitcom 2019) on October 29.
Fifty teams will be finally selected to solve one out of the five challenges presented by enterprises.
At the end of CodeCamp and during the final pitch, a panel of judges will select five winning teams for the respective five challenges, according to a press statement from the MoTC.
Registering for the hackathon is entirely free of charge and is open only to existing teams of 2-4 people and to individuals who will then be able to form teams at the event.
Registrations close on October 15.
The teams will consist of computer programmers, designers, business analysts and software developers composed of university students, start-ups, and professional coders to compete in developing software solutions to specific case-based challenges relevant to Qatar, the statement notes.
The subject matter for challenges this year will focus on areas, including sports, smart cities, healthcare, transport, logistics, education, retail, information and communications technology (ICT), environment, etc, and covering technology fields such as advanced analytics, IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence, social media/mobile solutions, blockchain, robotics/drone, data visualisation, AR/VR (augmented reality/virtual reality), and mobile app.
The goal of the challenge is to prototype ideas, products and services that are able to create social and economic value for the community by hacking everyday objects and using open data, open-source libraries, public APIs (application programming interfaces), frameworks for fast prototyping and software development, microcontrollers, sensors, and other hardware such as 3D printers, beacons and wearables.
The differentiating factor in this year’s Qitcom is that the winners will be incubated under the supervision and support of the MoTC to ensure the implementation of the concept with the use-case owners.
Winners will be chosen at the final pitch day on October 30, based on the concept, design, development, and presentation.
The awards will include mentoring offers, incubation and projects.
Under the theme “Safe Smart Cities”, Qitcom 2019 aims to catalyse the development of safe smart city solutions in Qatar and worldwide.
The Entrepreneurship Zone is one of Qitcom’s five constituent zones, and is designed specifically to mentor entrepreneurs, investors and innovators as they exchange knowledge, expand their business ideas and network with other entrepreneurs and investors.
The Entrepreneurship Zone consists of five primary activities for novice entrepreneurs, namely Start-up Hub, CodeCamp, Make the Deal, IdeaCamp and Innovation Theatre, which work together in developing the most innovative and disruptive technologies.
Reem al-Mansoori, assistant undersecretary of Digital Society Development Affairs at the MoTC, said: “Activities such as CodeCamp provide a platform for entrepreneurs and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to gain practical experience and the knowledge necessary in creating smart technological solutions for Qatar’s smart future.”