overview
Have you been working on a side-hustle and think now is the time to go for it? Or have you been sat on an awesome idea, but don’t have the tools or motivation to go off and build it? Build-A-Thon is here to make it happen.
introduction to build-a-thon
Brought to you by AngelHack and DataStax, Build-A-Thon invites you to a virtual hackathon experience from February 21 to May 28, 2022, to explore and unravel the possibilities in modern applications.
We believe that magic happens when you match innovators with the right resources and platform. At Build-A-Thon, we’re here to equip you with just that.
With Astra DB at the core of every project, the possibilities are endless. In the 3-month course of this hackathon, builders are allowed the freedom and flexibility to build scalable solutions that aim to solve real-world challenges.
All you have to do is have Astra DB as your backend.
what is astra db?
DataStax Astra DB is a database-as-a-service (DBaaS) for Apache Cassandra™, designed to make it easier for developers to get started working with the database. It simplifies cloud-native Cassandra application development and comes with a free tier.
Developers can install and run Cassandra in minutes and achieve fast application delivery using the Cassandra Query Language (CQL), REST and GraphQL APIs.
what tools does astra db include?
Each Astra DB database includes an integrated CQL shell for interactive Cassandra Query Language (CQL) commands. Use CQLSH to create tables, insert data, and modify data in your keyspace.
Use DataStax Bulk Loader (dsbulk) to load and unload data into your Astra DB database. You can load data from a variety of sources and unload data from DSE or DDAC databases for transfer, use, or storage of data.
Use the integrated metrics dashboards to view health metrics that include information regarding latency and throughput to the database. These metrics provide insights into the performance of the database and how workloads are distributed.
challenges
We’re changing the game this time, and the stakes are higher.
3 months, 3 Hackathons.
Astra DB’s Build-A-Thon is a 3-month long hackathon consisting of separate challenge statements and submission periods each month (i.e. 1 hackathon per month). Each month, we’ll reveal a fresh new set of challenges you can partake in. That’s not all — the top 3 winners of each round (each month) will qualify to present their polished project ideas on Demo Day held on May 28.
*Participants are free to take part in only 1, 2, or all 3 months’ challenges if they’d like.
round 1: coming soon
The a game
Almost 2 years into the pandemic and industries across the globe continue to face disruptions. But gaming giants are only leveling up. We invite you to build a game that anyone can enjoy while leveraging DataStax’s Astra DB.
This is your shot at contributing to the global game ecosystem.
Making a Difference With Climate Change
From the melting of the poles to the weakening ocean currents every day the planet sends stronger signals of a climate crisis.
We invite you to create solutions that address society’s most critical environmental problems leveraging DataStax’s Astra DB, finding ways to make a difference that can add up over time.
Build Your Own Solution
Do you have an idea that doesn’t fit any of the other challenges? This is the place for you, whether you want to design and develop a solution or create a data visualization & hack on. At its core, all project idea needs to use the Astra DB as its database.
Round 1 Challenge Statements
Round 1 is complete – join us for Round 2!
Round 2 Challenge Statements
Round 2 is complete – join us for Round 3!
The Winning Formula For Work From Home
With the change in the working environment across the globe, HR teams continuously strive to provide the best work-from-home setup.
We invite you to design an app or a platform, with Astra DB, to make remote working more effective and efficient.
The E-Commerce Challenge
2 years of the pandemic has taken a toll on the livelihood of people across the globe and more people today are in need of support to sustain their basic lifestyle.
Formulate a solution that allows people to shop and donate items and get them delivered to the ones in need across the globe.
Build Your Own Solution
Round 3 Challenge Statements
Round 3 is complete – join us for Demo Day on 28 May!
the Interconnectedness of Supply Chain
Technologies such as smart sensors and vehicle movement are seeing a huge adoption surge to optimize resources in the of the global supply chain industry. However, there are many other areas of the industry that still require fresh initiatives to streamline these processes.
We invite you to create innovative solutions for the global supply chain industry which tackle the current business or operational challenges, while leveraging Astra DB.
the Health Care Challenge
Build Your Own Solution
Prizes
We’re giving out a total of USD$41,000 worth of prizes
schedule
Round 3 Hackathon Schedule
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
12 PM EST | 5 PM GMT
1 PM EST | 6 PM GMT - 11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
12 PM EST | 5 PM GMT
1 PM EST | 6 PM GMT - 11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 4 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
12 PM EST | 4 PM GMT
1 PM EST | 5 PM GMT - 11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
11 AM EST | 3 PM GMT
Judges
Meet our esteemed panel of judges:
Karen Tamrazyan
Co-founder & CEO at Freeware Lovers / Founder of Cloud Study Network
David Gilardi
Developer Advocacy, DataStax
Cédrick Lunven
Director of Developer Advocacy, DataStax
Ania Kubów
YouTube Content Creator
Pieter Humphrey
Developer Product Manager, DataStax
N Balasubramaniam
Tech Head - Center of Excellence, NIIT USA
Rahul Singh
Chief Executive Officer, Anant
mentors
Meet the talented pool of mentors who will be there to help you along every step of the way.
Stefano Lottini
Developer Advocate, DataStax
Jack Fryer
Developer Communities, DataStax
Aleks Volochnev
Developer Advocate, DataStax
Artem Chebotko
Developer Advocate, DataStax
Raghavan Srivinas
Developer Advocate, DataStax
Aaron Ploetz
Developer Advocate, DataStax
Erick Ramirez
Apache Cassandra Enthusiast, DataStax
Judging criteria
Each criterion will be scored on a range of 0 to 5, and the maximum score that a project can get is 20.
Our judges will grade submissions across 4 equally-weighted categories:
How well was the project executed and explained? Does it justify the hackathon time frame?
How creative was the team in developing an innovative solution for the challenge?
Did the team create an application that can have a real and valuable impact?
Does the entry solve a real-world problem? How well-identified is the potential audience or market for the problem being solved?
resources
faqs
Three hackathons will be held from February 21 to May 28 2022. The dates are as follows:
Round 1: February 21 – March 20, 2022
Round 2: March 21 – April 19, 2022
Round 3: April 20 – May 15, 2022
Demo Day: May 28, 2022
Any Global Citizen with an internet connection & is 18 years old and above!
(Please refer to the eligibility restrictions section (in the Participation Agreement) to check the list of countries whose residents are not eligible to take part in this Hackathon)
Yes! We want anyone with ideas or the passion to innovate to participate. Teams will however need at least one individual who can build/code a cloud-native application on Astra DB for project submission.
You’re free to participate in only 1 month’s challenge and submission. However, if you’re feeling ambitious, do feel free to participate in all the challenges across the 3 months! It’s entirely up to you.
The minimum participants in a team is 1, while the maximum number is 4.
Teams are recommended to be formed within your own locations & time zones to avoid time zone fatigue but this is not mandatory. You can choose to join a team located in another time zone as well.
Yes! Only registered individuals are eligible to participate. Please ensure that all members of your team have registered their teams accordingly as well.
The only true requirement is AstraDB usage. While using AstraDB there are many different options available in terms of connecting (stargate.io) through API’s: Document API, REST API, GraphQL, CQL. As far as the languages go, there are no limitations. Go ahead and use Astra DB as core of your project with any framework or language and build your projects!
This hackathon is open to anyone from no experience with Cassandra or CQL or DataStax’s Astra DB to experienced. Before the hackathon begins, here are some resources that you can use and quickly master on all of these.
Worry not! Please sign-up for Astra DB via a secondary email address and contact the AngelHack organizing team in the hackathon Slack to get your details updated.
Please provide your Discord username to any of the AngelHack organizing team members for verification.
SWAG Reveal
Top 10 Hackers Listed on Leaderboard:
Astra DB SWAG Box (Worth USD $200)
Top 20 Hackers Listed on Leaderboard (Rankings 11-30):
Premium Limited Edition Astra DB Hoodie (Worth USD $50)
Top 100 Hackers Listed on Leaderboard (Rankings 31-130):
Exclusive Astra DB T-shirt (Worth USD $25)
