Overview
The Hyperledger Foundation is launching the Hyperledger Challenge to harness the power of communities to ideate, develop, and launch innovative solutions developed using open-source technologies. Any innovation that advances the current state-of-the-art of enterprise-grade distributed ledger technologies leveraging one or more Hyperledger projects is eligible for the Hyperledger Challenge.
The Challenge will feature three rounds, called “Ideate”, “Prototype”, and “Launch”, to develop innovations from idea to sustainable solutions in the manner of months. Innovators competing in the challenges will have access to training, mentors and the Hyperledger community to support the development of their solution. The Hyperledger community is committed to be a driving force to incorporating Diversity, Civility, and Inclusion into programs. Innovators are greatly encouraged to consider diversity and inclusion when developing their teams.
The Hyperledger Foundation hosts a number of enterprise-grade blockchain software projects. The projects are conceived and built by the developer community for vendors, end user organizations, service providers, start-ups, academics and others to use to build and deploy blockchain networks or commercial solutions. This challenge will feature:
- A network of support for future innovators to advance the current state-of-the art of enterprise-grade distributed ledger technologies.
- A place to partner with similar entrepreneurs, to connect with leading experts, to learn, to scale up, and to achieve real impact in the world.
The Hyperledger Foundation is committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all. Therefore, all innovators of the Hyperledger Challenge are requested to visit the Hyperledger Code of Conduct and Antitrust Policy Notice.
Challenge Details: Ideate, Prototype, and Launch
Ideate Challenge
Innovators IDENTIFY a concept that advances the current state-of-the-art of enterprise-grade distributed ledger technologies leveraging one or more Hyperledger projects. The proposed concept must clearly articulate a solution-market fit where the solution fulfills a market need.
Ideate Prizes
- Participants in the ideate challenge will be given feedback on their submission, access to training courses, and matched with mentor(s) based on the identified need to support the development of their prototype solution.
- Winners of the ideate challenge will have their project featured as a Hyperledger Labs to encourage the community-wide engagement and development of the prototype solution.
Prototype Challenge
Innovators DEVELOP a prototype their proposed solution that sufficiently proves the critical functionality. The prototype must sufficiently demonstrate that the solution will fulfill a market need that sustains its follow-on development.
Prototype Prizes
- Winners of the prototype challenge will have their project featured as a Linux Foundation Crowdfunding project for follow-on collaborative development.
- Winners will also be provided marketing support including the opportunity to demonstrate their solution to the Technical Steering Committee, Special Interest Groups, and promotion across Hyperledger channels.
Launch Challenge
Innovators COLLABORATE to build an ecosystem around their software solutions. Innovators will be evaluated based on the impact of their solution for successful commercial adoption.
Launch Prizes
- Winners of the Launch challenge will receive a travel scholarship to attend Hyperledger Global Forum 2022. This will be an unique opportunity to demonstrate your solutions before a global community.
- Runner-ups will receive Hyperledger Certification voucher(s)
Challenge Timeline**
- January 18: Ideate submission opens
- March 1: Ideate submission ends
- March 1-15: Ideate submission evaluation and mentor assignment
- March 15: Prototype begins
- May 10: Prototype ends
- May 10-24: Prototype evaluation
- May 24: Prototype winners announced
- May 24: Launch begins
- July 19: Launch ends
- July 19-August 2: Launch evaluation
- August 2: Announce Challenge Winners!
** Challenge dates are subject to change without advance notice.
Eligibility Requirements
Innovators must comply with the following requirements to be eligible to compete in the Hyperledger Challenge.
Ideate Challenge Eligibility
- Individuals, teams of individuals, private entities (for-profits and nonprofits), and academic institutions are eligible to compete in the Ideate Challenge.
- Submission package will be evaluated for completion. Incomplete submissions will not be considered for the Ideate Challenge.
Prototype Challenge Eligibility
- Only winners of the Ideate Challenge may be eligible to compete in the Prototype Challenge.
- At least one representative for each team must participate in the Prototype Challenge Showcase Event. The PrototypeChallenge Showcase Event will be held virtually.
Launch Challenge Eligibility
- Only winners of the Prototype Challenge may be eligible to compete in the Launch Challenge.
- At least one representative for each team must participate in the Launch Challenge Showcase Event. The Launch Challenge Showcase Event will be held virtually.
Overall Challenge Eligibility
- Teams who have any affiliation with a member of the evaluation committee will not be allowed to participate in the Challenge.
- Employees of an organization that co-sponsors the Hyperledger Challenge are not eligible to participate.
- All participating teams will be required to follow the open-source license requirement for projects and associated code developed during the challenges as detailed here: https://www.hyperledger.org/about/charter
- License Requirement: “All Hyperledger software must be made available under an Apache 2.0 license. This applies to lab projects in which Hyperledger Challenge projects will be hosted under. Please, make sure to license all incoming code and new code accordingly, and ensure that all commits are made with proper sign-off so that no DCO related issue is introduced.”
- Code of Conduct: “All Hyperledger community members must adhere to the Code of Conduct”