The 2017 Hackaday Prize

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

Contest Details

Build Something That Matters - 2017 Competition Summary

Main Website :: Official Rules :: Best Product :: FAQ

Hackaday Prize Finals:

Round 1: Design Your Concept Finalists

Round 2: Internet of Useful Things Finalists

Round 3: Wheels, Wings, & Walkers Finalists

Round 4: Assistive Technologies Finalists

Round 5: Anything Goes Finalists

Best Product Finalists

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All Prize Entries:

Round 1: Design Your Concept Submissions

Round 2: Internet of Useful Things Submissions

Round 3: Wheels, Wings, & Walkers Submissions

Round 4: Assistive Technologies Submissions

Round 5: Anything Goes Submissions

Best Product Submissions

It's 2017. Our planet is facing issues like climate change, overpopulation, food shortage, technology security issues, and aging populations. We challenge you to come up with solutions to address current issues in the world today and create a better life for all of us.

For the 4th year in a row, Hackaday Prize entrants will push the boundaries of problem solving to make a real difference in the world around us.

In 2014 we launched The Hackaday Prize to our smart, talented, enthusiastic community of engineers, scientists, designers and creatives everywhere. Over 600 projects were created, and the winner, SatNOGS, now has a foundation where they are continuing the work they started here.

In 2015 we challenged the Hackaday community to use their superpowers again. The results told the story of nearly 900 Hackaday Prize entrants using their unique skills to make big changes in peoples' lives. 2015's Hackaday Prize winner, the Eyedrivomatic, directly impacted the lives of many with limited mobility.

In 2016, we had nearly 1,100 entries, and the Hackaday Prize winner was Dtto, a search and rescue robot, an open source project that will continue to be worked on at the Supplyframe Design Lab.

In 2017, We’re starting off with the Design Your Concept round, where you submit a simple idea and an image. After that, we give you 4 more Hackaday Prize challenges to run with. These 5 challenges run one after the other and each challenge lasts just 6 weeks.

Alongside the other rounds, the Best Product round will be running. You can enter the Best Product additionally or separately with The Hackaday Prize.

20 projects will be chosen from each of the 6 rounds, and awarded $1,000 per project.

That's $120,000 in prizes for semi-finalists! YES, that's $120,000 and super that so many builds get recognition and a piece of the loot.

$250k in total prizes
- Grand Prize $50k, Best Product $30k, 2nd-5th Place: $20k, $15k, $10k, $5k
- 120 finalists will each get $1k
- Seed funding: Enter right away and you get a dollar for every like on your project ($4000 max, $200 limit per project... this was super fun and popular last year)
5 Challenge rounds (you can enter once or in all five if you want):
- Design Your Concept (show planning for an awesome build
- Internet of *Useful* Things (IuT ! IoT) -- connected devices that don't suck
- Wheels, Wings, and Walkers (build something that moves)
- Assistive Technology (helps the sick, elderly, physically or mentally challenged)
- Anything Goes (free for all, as long as it does social good)
Best Product Round
- Enter your product alone or together with the Hackaday Prize
- Up to 20 finalists will win $1000
- Grand prize is $30k and a chance to interview for a residency at the Supplyframe Design Lab

Files

Design Your Concept.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 74.98 kB - 03/18/2017 at 14:46

Preview

IUT-IoT.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 125.71 kB - 05/02/2017 at 22:57

Preview

Wings, Wheels, and Walkers.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 76.57 kB - 03/18/2017 at 14:46

Preview

Assistive Technologies.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 78.25 kB - 03/18/2017 at 14:46

Preview

Anything Goes.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 72.66 kB - 03/18/2017 at 14:46

Preview

Contest Logs

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FAQ for the 2017 Hackaday Prize
Sophi Kravitz • 04/07/2017 at 12:23 • 16 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.
- Challenge 1: Design your concept -- (3/20-5/1)
- Challenge 2: IUT ! IoT -- (5/1-6/12)
- Challenge 3: Wheels, wings, and walkers -- (6/12-7/24)
- Challenge 4: Assistive technologies -- (7/24-9/4)
- Challenge 5: Anything goes -- (9/4-10/16)
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...
Read more »

View contest log

Discussions

Kristjan Berce wrote 03/26/2017 at 16:46

When is the money from seed funding delivered? Just curious because it will help to buy the hardware I need.

Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 03/26/2017 at 17:00

Hi Kristjan! Around the end of May 2017.

Are you sure? yes | no

Kristjan Berce wrote 03/26/2017 at 17:01

Ok, thanks a lot!

Are you sure? yes | no

Eric Hertz wrote 03/25/2017 at 21:25

There seem to be multiple questions regarding rules, here... and yet I don't see a link to the main Prize-Page on this page... so here's the FAQ: https://hackaday.io/prize/faq, you can get to the rules and more from there.

Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 03/27/2017 at 22:45

Thanks, I've added a link right at the top. Sorry for the oversight!

Are you sure? yes | no

ActualDragon wrote 03/25/2017 at 19:45

hey yo, how do we get the money from the likes?

Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 03/25/2017 at 20:46

paypal is what we did last year + Benchoff bucks

Are you sure? yes | no

Yann Guidon / YGDES wrote 03/25/2017 at 22:54

I didn't get BB last year :-/

Are you sure? yes | no

... wrote 03/24/2017 at 23:33

Hi,

Every challenge is separate?

If I have an idea for Assistive Technology I'm waiting for July 24?

Are you sure? yes | no

haydn jones wrote 03/25/2017 at 00:25

But you'll have to make four(?) project updates by then, and if you start now you get a chance for some seed funding and a early chance to get to the finals at the design your concept stage. You can also get another chance to get to the finals at the anything goes challenge or even design you product. You can enter in to as many challenges as you like with each project.

Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 03/25/2017 at 00:43

HI Paul, you can enter now for the Choose YOur Concept round and enter again for Assistive Technology

Are you sure? yes | no

... wrote 03/25/2017 at 02:57

Real Thx

Are you sure? yes | no

Yann Guidon / YGDES wrote 03/24/2017 at 04:31

I love Hackaday ! :-D

53 views, 100 followers, 172 submissions ...

It doesn't make sense if you don't understand that submission does not happen on this page :-)

Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 03/22/2017 at 16:39

Please post links to suspicious projects here and we'll check them out. No cheaters will get money!

Are you sure? yes | no

Yann Guidon / YGDES wrote 03/24/2017 at 04:37

https://hackaday.io/project/11234-4wd-all-terrain-robot was already submitted in 2016, is that possible ?

Are you sure? yes | no

K.C. Lee wrote 03/24/2017 at 04:42

I thought the old rule said that make new project page and substantial work have been done since to resubmit old project.

Are you sure? yes | no

Sophi Kravitz wrote 03/24/2017 at 15:45

Yes you can resubmit a project w a new project page and new work done on the project. We will check it out, thanks!

Are you sure? yes | no

Clara Hobbs wrote 03/24/2017 at 23:21

https://hackaday.io/project/8058-hack-the-planet doesn't appear to be a real project.

Are you sure? yes | no

ActualDragon wrote 03/25/2017 at 00:08

then it won't get judged like one. "suspicious" is bots repeat liking for money and stuff

Are you sure? yes | no

Yann Guidon / YGDES wrote 03/21/2017 at 03:32

And the deluge of new accounts with identical origins is starting.
10 minutes ago : Tangerang, all liking a single project.

Are you sure? yes | no

K.C. Lee wrote 03/21/2017 at 09:41

Tangerang, Jakarta are both in Indonesia
Multiple new accounts from these three areas all update their account nearly the same time 2,3,4,5,6,7 hours ago. What are the chances? Tourists group?

Hope someone take the log file and look at the time stamp, IP block of these cluster events and what they doing.

Are you sure? yes | no

haydn jones wrote 03/21/2017 at 11:48

went to the effort of getting his class to sign up, a lot of the accounts are using webcams going around a computer lab, and i am certain they are legitimate people rather than made up accounts. I am impressed with the effort.

Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Hogben wrote 03/21/2017 at 16:30

@haydn jones is probably right. Classes signing up for accounts was more common than I expected last year.

Are you sure? yes | no

K.C. Lee wrote 03/21/2017 at 16:44

Some of us have seen the cheat bots in action last year when money were involved with "likes". Just a reminder, we are watching for unusual activities.

Are you sure? yes | no

Yann Guidon / YGDES wrote 03/20/2017 at 18:35

The PDFs are beautiful !

But like last year, they say ... very little...

Are you sure? yes | no

Yann Guidon / YGDES wrote 03/20/2017 at 17:20

So it's buck mating season again ?

Are you sure? yes | no

Eric Hertz wrote 03/20/2017 at 18:09

was thinking the same thing

Are you sure? yes | no

Yann Guidon / YGDES wrote 03/20/2017 at 18:35

I should find last year's picture :-D

Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Hogben wrote 03/20/2017 at 18:25

Hah, what like a scope?

Are you sure? yes | no

Eric Hertz wrote 03/21/2017 at 11:09

thought the picture was on my profile-page, but seems to have disappeared!

Are you sure? yes | no

The 2017 Hackaday Prize

Contest Details

Build Something That Matters - 2017 Competition Summary

Main Website :: Official Rules :: Best Product :: FAQ