Big Data. Machine Learning. Graph Computation. Stream Processing -->Spark.

These are more than just a bunch of tech buzzwords; they’re key components of one of the hottest new big data software tools out there: Apache Spark. 

Apache Spark is on fire, and over the past 5 years, more and more data professionals are adopting Spark as their analytics operating system. At its core, Spark is open-source software built to process large volumes of data on a cluster. Its powerful programming model allows you to perform advanced analytics and processing, all within an easy-to-use design interface. Seeing the tremendous value in this new data processing tool, IBM is supporting Spark with their new Bluemix tool: Analytics for Apache Spark.

Using Analytics for Apache Spark, data analysis becomes faster and more efficient, leading to the generation of deeper insights. More insight = smarter applications. So we ask you --how smart are your apps?

We’re asking you to create super-smart weather apps that harness the power of the Spark via Analytics for Apache Spark. We’ll provide the incentive (how’s 30k for you?), some weather data, and the Bluemix data tools—you provide the ingenuity!

Eligibility

This challenge is open in the following jurisdictions only: USA, Canada (with exception of Quebec province), Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Germany, Japan, India, Israel, South Korea, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, and France.

Entrants in these areas may compete if they are:

  • Individuals 18 and older; Teams of eligible individuals; Organizations (up to 50 employees)
  • Organizations with over 50 employees may compete for the non-cash Large Organization Recognition Award.

Note that government owned entities and IBM or Devpost employees are not eligible for any prize.

Requirements

Main Requirement: Use weather data and Analytics for Apache Spark for Bluemix to build super smart weather apps.

Submit the following:

  1. A demo video (hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or Youku. Your video should include a demo of your working weather app and any insights gathered from Analytics for Apache Spark for Bluemix.
  2. Please submit at least one image/screenshot of your working solution.
  3. Access to your weather app for judging and testing. Here’s how.

Existing Applications: Applications must NOT have existed prior to October 7th, 2015, and may not have been submitted to a past hackathon or competition.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$28,500 in prizes

Grand Prize

USD$15,000 cash

First Runner Up

USD$7,500 cash

Second Runner Up

USD$5,000 cash

Fan Favorite

USD$1,000 cash

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Dean Wampler, Ph.D.

Dean Wampler, Ph.D.
Big Data Architect, Office of the CTO - Typesafe

Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas
Vice President, Product Development, IBM Analytics

Trent Gray-Donald

Trent Gray-Donald
Distinguished Engineer, IBM Analytics - Cloud Data Services

Judging Criteria

  • Quality of Idea
    Includes creativity, originality, and “wow” factor of the idea.
  • Implementation of Idea
    Includes how well the idea was executed by the developer and the extent to which Analytics for Apache Spark for Bluemix was utilized.
  • App Intelligence
    Includes the complexity and “intelligence” of the Spark algorithm created.
  • Potential Impact
    Includes the relevance and potential impact of the weather analysis and application.

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