Celo Uganda Mini Hackathon: Building for Small Businesses

Introduction to Celo Uganda Mini Hackathon

The Celo Africa DAO Mini Hackathon is an exciting opportunity for developers and innovators to showcase their skills in blockchain technology. Hosted in Bugolobi, Kampala, this event aims to harness the power of Celo’s mobile-first, EVM-compatible blockchain for practical applications in small businesses. With a focus on building solutions through Celo and Minipay platforms, participants are encouraged to develop dApps that offer a seamless user experience, leveraging Celo’s fast transactions, low-cost fees, and multi-currency capabilities.

Join the Hackathon

The hackathon invites individuals who are passionate about blockchain and its potential to transform small businesses. Whether you’re a developer, entrepreneur, or blockchain enthusiast, this event welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds and skill sets. It’s a unique opportunity to collaborate, learn, and innovate in a supportive environment focused on social good and technological advancement.

Who Can Participate?

Participants must meet the following criteria:

• Be of legal age in their country of residence.
• Reside in countries or territories eligible for participation, excluding standard exceptions.
• Possess a keen interest in blockchain technology and its application in small business solutions.

Event Details and Timeline

Deadline

• Deadline: June 28, 2024 @ 7:30pm GMT+5:30
• Location: Motiv, Bugolobi, Kampala
• Public Event: Open to all interested participants
• Prizes: $500 in total, paid in cryptocurrency

Schedule

The hackathon schedule includes:

• Pre-event Preparation: Detailed guidelines and rules available for participants.
• Hackathon Day: Intensive coding and prototyping sessions.
• Submission Deadline: Final submission of projects and prototypes.
• Judging: Evaluation by expert judges based on innovation, functionality, and presentation.

Building for Small Businesses

Objectives

The primary goal of the Celo Africa DAO Mini Hackathon is to:

• Educate the community about blockchain technology and its benefits for small businesses.
• Foster creativity and innovation in developing decentralized applications (dApps) for mobile platforms.
• Generate practical solutions that enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement for small businesses.

What Can You Build?

Participants are encouraged to explore various themes:

• Merchants (B2B): Develop Web3 tools for small businesses, such as loyalty management systems.
• Spending Options: Enhance consumer spending and gifting options through dApps like Bidali and Bitgifty.
• X to Earn: Enable MiniPay users to earn income through micro-tasks like rideshare and grocery delivery.
• Yield Opportunities: Expand investment opportunities for wallet holders through innovative blockchain solutions.

Requirements for Participants

To qualify for prizes and recognition, participants must:

• Adopt a mobile-first approach in their project development.
• Integrate their solutions with the MiniPay platform.
• Focus on e-commerce solutions that benefit small businesses.
• Submit a working prototype, either as a demo video or deployed project.
• Maintain an open-source ethos with a public GitHub repository in English.

Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on:

• Innovation: Uniqueness and creativity in addressing small business challenges.
• Functionality: Practicality and effectiveness of the dApp in real-world scenarios.
• Presentation: Clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness of the project pitch.
• Open Source: Commitment to transparency and community collaboration.

Future Prospects

As the mini hackathon sets the stage for larger events and initiatives, such as the upcoming main hackathon with significant prize pools, participants can look forward to expanding their projects and scaling their innovations. The future of blockchain in Uganda and across Africa holds promise for transformative solutions that empower small businesses and drive economic growth.

How to Participate

Interested individuals can register for the Celo Africa DAO Mini Hackathon by visiting [official website link]. Registration is open until [registration deadline], and participants are encouraged to review the full rules and guidelines before submitting their projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can participate in the Celo Uganda Mini Hackathon?

The hackathon is open to individuals above the legal age of majority in their country of residence. Participants must reside in eligible countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

What are the main themes of the hackathon?

Participants are encouraged to build solutions focusing on merchants (B2B), spending options, opportunities for earning (X to Earn), and yield opportunities for wallet holders.

How are submissions judged?

Projects will be evaluated based on criteria such as innovation, functionality, presentation, and adherence to open-source principles.

When is the deadline for submission?

The submission deadline for the mini hackathon is June 28, 2024, at 7:30pm GMT+5:30.

How can I learn more about Celo and Minipay?

Participants can explore resources provided by Celo to familiarize themselves with the platform’s capabilities and integration possibilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Celo Africa DAO Mini Hackathon offers a unique opportunity for developers and entrepreneurs to make a lasting impact through blockchain innovation. By leveraging Celo’s mobile-first, eco-friendly blockchain, participants can create solutions that benefit small businesses and contribute to the growth of the digital economy in Uganda and beyond. Join us in shaping the future of blockchain technology and empowering communities through creativity and collaboration.