Many of you have already registered for QuickBooks Connect and signed up for our pre-conference hackathon, happening Sat and Sun, Oct 22-23, 2016, at the San Jose Convention Center.
Whether you’ve already signed up and want more info, or aren’t sure and need to be convinced, check out this FAQ for all the details for this year’s hackathon event. Check out this video from last year’s hack to get a little bit of an idea of what it might be like.
What is it?
The Small Business Tech Hackathon is a pre-conference event to Intuit’s annual QuickBooks Connect conference.
This year, we’re giving you an open field to leverage the latest in technology and create solutions that make running a business or non-profit invisible and easy. We’ll provide expert mentors to give advice on your hack ideas. Come play with cool hardware like Oculus Rift headsets, a variety of smart devices, and other tech you’ll need to let your ideas run wild and innovate.
Your innovative solutions will let the SMB and non-profit entrepreneurs and visionaries get back to their passions, while painlessly managing the administrative tasks that keep their businesses successful and their nonprofits healthy.
When and where is it?
The Small Business Tech Hackathon takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23, 2016, at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA.
How do I register?
There are two ways to register:
- Go to the QuickBooks Connect site, click on the Register Now button, and select the two-day pass. Be sure to enter the discount code QBC16DEVELOPER to get $200 off the conference pass. (The Hackathon is included in the cost of your conference pass.) During the registration flow, you’ll arrive at an Optional Events page; select “attending and hacking” under the Hackathon option.
- Not sure if you want to attend the whole conference? You can register for just the Hackathon at this Eventbrite link. Be sure the enter the Promo Code QUICKBOOKS to get in for free.
Who can participate?
The hack is open to everyone who wants to design, code, and build new and innovative apps that target small business owners or non-profits.
Can I bring a team?
Yes, you can bring a team (up to 4 people per team) or work solo. Or you can come solo and look to join a team once you’re at the hack.
How do I win prizes?
Build a brand new solution that addresses one of these challenges:
- Category 1: Create an app that saves a small business time or money by solving a unique SMB problem.
- Category 2: Create an app that saves a non-profit time or money by solving a unique non-profit problem.
What’s more, we’ll have some honorary prizes in special categories, to be announced. Not to mention the on-going raffles and the cool hardware tech playground.
What can I win?
Each of the two main categories will offer first, second, and third place prizes:
- First place prize for each category:
- Each member of the 1st place team (up to 4 team members) will receive a Tech Pack valued at $2,000 USD, consisting of:
- Second place prize for each category:
- Each member of the 2nd place team (up to 4 team members) will receive a GoPro Hero4 camera, valued at $400 USD.
- Third place prize for each category:
- Each member of the 3rd place team (up to 4 team members) will receive a Razer BlackWidow Chroma Clicky Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, valued at $100 USD.
What kind of code can I write?
Fresh code! Code in your favorite language and use the APIs and tools you prefer. In the spirit of a hackathon, respect the start and stop times for hacking; your solution should be built at the hack during the hack hours. This year, we are not awarding prizes for updates or enhancements to existing apps. Brand new solutions only! We’ll provide the blank canvas, inspiration, fuel, and support — you bring your imagination, curiosity, coding and design skills, laptop, and stamina. See the official rules for details.
Do I need to integrate QuickBooks or Intuit APIs into my hack?
No. You are welcome to use the QuickBooks APIs — we’ll have plenty of staff on hand to help and we might even consider giving you an extra prize if you do — but it is not required. This hack is all about creating new innovations that help small business and non-profits.
How is the hack structured?
Doors open on Saturday at 10am for you to get settled, API demos will start at 11am, small business and non-profit owners will be on hand to give you feedback on your ideas over lunch, and then hacking starts at 1pm, runs through the night, and ends Sun at 1pm. Pitches to the judging panel will start around 1:30pm and continue till we’re done, followed by the awards ceremony.
Do you own my hack?
Nope, that’s yours to keep — and hopefully finish! See the official rules for details.
Should I plan to hack overnight?
You’ll have only 24 hours from 1pm Sat. to 1pm Sun. to design, code, and test your amazing solution, so you might very well want to hack through the night. No problem, though, if you need to take a break to catch a nap. We’ll have some essentials on hand to help you freshen up.
Can you help me come up with some ideas?
Yes! in the weeks leading up to the hackathon we’ll host a series of virtual events with small business owners, non-profits, and accountants to help you with ideation. Follow this blog and @IntuitDev on Twitter to find out when.
Where can I find the official rules?
You can find the official rules here.
Can you remind me again, how do I register?
Go to the QuickBooks Connect site, click on the Register Now button, and select the two-day pass.
Be sure to enter the discount code QBC16DEVELOPER to get $200 off the conference pass. (Your conference pass includes entry to the Hackathon, as long as you select the option.)
During the registration flow, you’ll get to an Optional Events page; select “attending and hacking” under the Hackathon option.
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