How do I follow the hackathon and get updates?

When you register for the hackathon, you’ll automatically be signed up to receive updates about it. Follow us on Twitter at @Devpost.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the hackathon?

Email Support@Devpost.com or post a question to the the Amazon Alexa Discussion Board.

What do I need to use to build my skill?

Check out the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) developer portal and Getting Started Guide.

To be eligible for prizes, you must have 1) entered a complete and eligible hackathon entry via the Hackathon submission form; and 2) have your Alexa Skill certified by the Alexa Skills Store. Your submission must include your Skill ID (can be found on the Skill Information tab in your Alexa developer account.)

What APIs or datasets can in include in my skill?

You may use whatever APIs, SDKs, and datasets you choose, as long as you are authorized to use and distribute them. Remember, you MUST meet the requirements above in order to be eligible for a prize.

Why do I have to upload a video?

The Popular Choice awards are determined by public voting. A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your skill. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that captures the solution’s value and user interface.

What should I put in my video?

Aside from your actual skill, your submission video is one of the most important parts of your entry. In fact, it’s often one of the first, and sometimes only, things that judges and voters view. Make a great first impression by following these tips on what to include in your video:

Include a step-by-step demo. Demonstrate your solution’s key features by showing them functioning on an appropriate device. While audio isn’t required, narration or text bubbles can help judges and voters understand your solution.

Keep it simple. Per the official rules, your video shouldn’t be longer than five minutes. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Don’t wait until the last minute to upload your video. Keep in mind that the time it takes to upload/process a video on YouTube, Vimeo, or Youku varies greatly depending on the format of your original video, the file size, upload traffic and Internet connection speed, and could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or more.

Does my skill need to be certified in the Skill Store?

The skill must be new, functioning, and submitted for Alexa store certification prior to the end of the Hackathon Submission Period. The skill must be certified and publicly available in the Alexa skills store prior to the end of the Certification Period. The skill must function as depicted in the video and/or expressed in any other Submission materials.

Who is eligible to enter the competition?

The hackathon is open to individuals, and teams of individuals, who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry. The hackathon is also open to legally registered corporations or organizations.

Please review the Official Rules for complete eligibility requirements.

We are an organization. Can we enter?

Organizations with 50 or fewer employees may enter and compete for prizes.

Do the skills have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting?

Existing skills are not eligible for this hackathon. Skills must be a new, functioning, and certified Amazon Alexa skill, made public in the Alexa Skills Store.

Can more than one person work on a skill and receive credit for it? And if the solution wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?

Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals or an organization is selected as an award winner, the full prize amount will be sent to the submitter. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money between the team members, as they deem it appropriate.

Can my skill win more than one prize?

Yes. All submissions entered by eligible individuals, teams of individuals, and organizations can compete for one overall prize award, as well as the Popular Choice, Best Student Skill Awards, First Certified Skills Published Award, and Finalist Awards.

Can I enter more than one solution?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person, team or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. However, if you submit two or more skills that are identical or substantially similar, the Sponsor and Devpost reserve the right to disqualify all the submissions or require you to choose one submission to enter into the competition.

Do I retain intellectual property ownership?

Yes. By submitting a solution to the challenge, you do not transfer any intellectual property rights to the Sponsor or Devpost. The Sponsor and Devpost will have the right to feature all skills entered in the competition for promotional purposes. See the Official Rules for details.

What will you do with my submission?

The Sponsor and Devpost will have the right to publicly display your submission on the hackathon website and in the Alexa Skills Store, once your skill is certified. They will also be allowed to publicize your name on the hackathon website in connection with the submission and the hackathon during the competition and for 36 months after its conclusion. For more information on publicity rights, please see the Official Rules.

How does public voting work?

Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like, but no more than once for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine the Popular Choice award winner. Have more questions about public voting? Check out our handy public voting help article.

General Questions

Submission Requirements

Testing Process

Eligibility & IP

Public Voting