UAE government spends $140,000 to sponsor blockchain hackathon

On November 30, the United Arab Emirates government sponsored a blockchain hackathon event, and the winner will win a prize of $140,000.

The hackathon, organized by AngelHack with technical support from ethereum startup ConsenSys, aims to highlight innovations that could reshape local and national governance, and will coincide with the World Government Summit, an annual gathering that will be held in Dubai in February next year.

It is reported that the participants of this hackathon are seeking conceptual applications such as digital government, electronic identity and interconnected cities. Dubai has been conducting blockchain research in this area. Not long ago, the Dubai Future Foundation, a technology program supported by the UAE government, has expressed its support for blockchain startups.

The first prize winner will receive a prize of $100,000, and the organizer will also provide all travel expenses for the winner to participate in the World Government Summit (three places are available). The second and third prize winners will receive prizes of $30,000 and $10,000 respectively, and the organizer will also provide the team with passes to the government summit.

The conference may be a microcosm of a wave of blockchain hackathons around the world, as both new and established startups see hackathons as a way to refine their ideas and connect with larger companies.

The registration deadline for the hackathon is December 12. The final submission deadline for entries is January 8, and the works will be judged by an as-yet-unnamed panel of experts and scored on creativity, design, execution, and impact.

Finalists will be notified on January 13, and the winner will be announced at the World Government Summit in February each year.