DEWA Student Hackathon 2016 (#DEWAHacks)

See event website

DEWA Student Hackathon by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) powered by SquareCircle Tech, is an innovation challenge for UAE University students, an arena for software developers and hardware makers, a platform to present your big idea and create solutions around Sustainability, Customer Happiness and Technology to held on 18-19 November during the UAE Innovation Week 2016. We invite 150 students from all UAE Universities who are to create innovative and impactful solutions around the 3 themes over a 24-hour period.

Sub-themes and more info will be disclosed in detail pre-event and on the opening day of the event. Whether you’re a freshman or senior student and have an expertise in Web/Mobile app development, join us for 24 hours of innovation, competing against the best and sharpening your skills alongside technology experts.

The event seeks to celebrate the spirit of innovation and promote budding talent in the UAE. Winners will get cash prizes from Dubai Electricity & Water Authority during the presentation ceremony at the Innovation Week. 

 

 

Competition Participation Criteria:

 

 

DEWA Student Hackathon Track Participation Criteria:

The event is free to attend and is sponsored by DEWA. Intellectual Property of the ideas will be owned by the students

  • Students aged less than 25 years, currently pursuing graduate or undergraduate programmes in any UAE University,

  • Students can register as Individuals or as Teams, preference will be given to teams and individuals will be matched with teams during the event.

  • Required skills to create a web or mobile app or any hardware solution of your own at the event,

  • A valid university ID card will need to be presented at the day of the event.

Judging Criteria

 

Business Value (30%)

The concept must be relevant to the chosen challenge statement and must respond to a significant business need for DEWA in terms of revenue, cost savings and brand. The idea must be compliant to UAE’s regulatory and cultural values

Degree of Innovation (30%)

The concept must be original or something entirely novel, or take a fresh perspective to an old problem or it must resolve a problem stated in a challenge statement or theme in an innovative manner.

User Experience (20%)

The solution must deliver a great user experience with relevant features of chosen challenge statement complimented by an intuitive user journey, easy navigation and a fresh look and feel.

Completion and Readiness for Demo (20%)

The team must deliver a simple, complete user interface without any bugs and must demonstrate a working solution that supports a functional prototype with key functionalities (Windows, iOS or Android or any other web technologies)

FAQs

 

What is the DEWA Student Hackathon?

DEWA Student Hackathon is an event where 50 or more teams, consisting of ate least 150 technology students compete with each other to produce mobile apps or solutions on a selected theme of their choice around Sustainability, Customer Happiness and Technology.

 

Who can participate?

DEWA Student Hackathon registrations are open to all University students in UAE. A team of two is a prerequisite for registration. We recommend having at least one strong developer who has expertise in developing mobile or web apps. Seasoned mentors will be available during the event to guide you over 24 hours.

 

How can we register as a team?

Register on Eventbrite clicking ‘Register as a Group’ and complete the form.

 

What is an ideal team size?

The ideal team can be a 2 to a maximum of 5 students. We encourage you to have at least 2 people in a team and maximum 5 in order to create a good balance and help brainstorm ideas with the team members.

 

We have never developed a web or mobile app or any software or hardware Solution, but think we can. Can we participate?

Yes you can participate. Our goal is to bring together a diverse set of tech minds and ideagenerators to a single platform, providing the best overall experience.

 

What deliverables are expected in the competition?

A working demo of a web or mobile app or hardware developed on the theme that you have chosen to work on is required.

 

When will the DEWA Student Hackathon take place and what are the timings?

It’s a two-day event on 18-19 November, 2016, 8am-6pm on each day. We are also making provisions for an overnight stay.

 

Where is the venue? How can we get there?

 

Nearest Metro Station – ?. It’s a 2-3 minute walk from the station.
Free Valet Parking is available

 

How much does it cost to attend?

Attendance is FREE for short-listed teams. Food and refreshments will be provided during the event.

 

What documents should be submitted for the event?

Students need original Emirates ID or passport and Student ID

 

What should participants bring to the event?

  • Open mind to ideate and build an awesome prototype.
  • Laptops with necessary software and application development tools and IDE to build web or mobile apps as well as your own hardware kit
  • Power Extension Cables, we will provide power at each desk.
  • Notepads, Papers and other stationary for brainstorming.

Each team will be given a designated workspace with power outlets and WIFI

 

What are the prizes?

There are cash prizes and gifts winners and the shortlisted teams will have to present at the DEWA’s UAE Innovation Week Program on 22nd November where they will be awarded the prize.

AED 5,000 will go to the winning Student Track Team per theme along with certificates and recognition by DEWA Senior Management at UAE Innovation Week.

Every participant will receive a certificate of participation.

 

Can we stay overnight?

Yes. We encourage an overnight stay. The venue is open throughout the event. Dinner will be served until 9pm, after which coffees and teas are provided. Mentors and Volunteers are available 24 hours of the event.

 

I can’t stay entire 24 hours, can I still participate?

Yes, you can. But we strongly encourage you to be present during the DEWA Student Hackathon time..Hackathon is all about being together, code, learn and have some fun. You may consider going home to take a quick shower or short sleep.

 

What happens if I don't have a team? How do I join a team at the event?

You may still join us at 8am on the first day of Hackathon. You may compete as an individual, or our volunteers will assist you in identifying a team who is ready to consider you as a participant based on your skillset. We’ll do our best to match people up beforehand. You can also try to find a team at the event itself. Please arrive early to leave some time for networking.

 

What options are available for participants to have some fun during Hackathon?

We encourage you to show your creative skillset and perform or play a musical instrument at the hackathon. This will help break away from the rigours of the hackathon and breathe some new energy in you and the participants.

 

What is the judging process and how judging works?

After 24 hours of non-stop coding, a set of pre-screening judges consists of industry experts and startup entrepreneurs will review your concept and code to shortlist top 18 teams. Shortlisted teams will pitch to jury on stage, where 6 teams will be shortlisted as winners and they have to present to DEWA Management on 22nd November to become the winner in each category of Sustainability, Customer Happiness, Technology.

 

What is the dress code?

Smart Casual.

 

Where is the venue? How can we get there?

TBD 

 

More questions? Please write to ecosystem@squarecircletech.com

Location

TBD
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dates

From 18th November 2016 - 08:00 AM
to 19th November 2016 - 06:00 PM

Prizes

Winning Student Track Team - AED 5,000 per theme