Sentech Hack the Future Challenge 2020

Sign up for a share of R200,000 in prize money and the opportunity for Sentech to select the winning innovation for future development. South Africa’s premier provider of electronic communications network services in the broadcasting and communications industry, Sentech has teamed up with Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct to create a Hackathon where the best and brightest minds in the fields of technology, software development and broadcast can pit their inventions and innovations against each other for a chance to bring their work to life.

About the Hackathon:

Sentech is looking for new ideas, agility, shorter innovation cycles, knowledge and innovative solutions to deal with ever-increasing consumer demands. By engaging with diverse talent this accelerates problem-solving and cost savings through Research & Innovation. This creates further improved customer service, new revenue opportunities and reduction of time-to-market; all this while creating a community of practitioners aligned with Sentech’s strategic objectives

SENTECH’s corporate strategy is formulated on the opportunities that exist within the technological advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) namely; 5G, Cloud Computing, Open Computing, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and the changing landscape of the media industry.

In order to execute these objectives, Sentech’s Research and Innovation Department’s innovation programme includes collaboration with software developers and technology entrepreneurs which enables the organization to become a global enabler of broadcasting and digital content delivery.


Sentech is, therefore, calling on you to sign up to take part in this exciting challenge where your 4IR prototype or MVP could be chosen for further development.

Sentech Partner Ideation:

If you do business with Sentech, this section is for you. Up for grabs is R15000 in prize money for the top 2 innovations. If you have a team working on an innovation to enhance your business, enter it here. Give yourself a chance to get it up and running and register for the hackathon. Your innovative prototype or MVP could be in line to be developed to the point of implementation.

Problem Statement:

THEME: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ENABLING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO 4IR TECHNOLOGIES FOR AFRICA

How might we utilize Cloud technologies in the broadcast and communications environment to align with the 4th Industrial Revolution?

Applicants may consider some of the following domain/ focus areas, however they are not limited in scope:

BIG DATA

Data Analytics and smart dashboards apps.

BROADCAST

Broadcast monetising solutions for example interactive television.

RADIO

Realtime radio podcast solutions- typically the solution will be cloud-based and/or hardware-based or hybrid.

Participants may wish to also consider technologies for IOT based field systems e.g.:

STB tracking

Audience tracking

Signal strength and coverage reporting

Required outcomes:

Proofs of Concept innovations and Minimum Viable Products that allow Sentech to offer end to end broadcast solutions to its customers. All Digital and Technology Platforms, Applications and devices will be considered.

Key dates:

Closing date for applications

10 November 2020 at 21:00

Hackathon dates:

16 – 18 November 2020

Contest Rules:

By submitting a registration form, you represent to SENTECH and Tshimologong Precinct that you have read this form and understand the guidelines for SENTECH Virtual Hackathon. The Centennial Center reserves the right to disqualify any team that in its judgment violates SENTECH Virtual Hackathon guidelines, processes or rules. The decisions of the SENTECH Virtual Hackathon are final and binding.

  1. There is no fee for entry
  2. Registration must be completed by 10 November at (LINK)
  3. Individuals are allowed to register and will be placed on a team
  4. Teams can register with 3-6 members
  5. Participants will present their pitch and respond to questions in allotted time
  6. Pitches must be the original work of the team presenting
  7. SENTECH and Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct will not support any illegal activity

Confidentiality

The identities of the participant(s), as well as any pitch delivered during SENTECH Virtual Hackathon are considered public domain and can be used by the Centennial Center for marketing and PR purposes.

Intellectual Property

For questions about the legal status of team’s own or third party intellectual property or any other aspect of their plan, the Center Centennial advises participants to seek independent legal counsel.

Liability

You agree that you will not use the name SENTECH or any variation, adaptation, or abbreviation thereof, or of any of its trustees, officers, faculty, staff, students, employees, or agents, or any trademark owned by SENTECH in any advertising or publicity without written permission.

Media:

All teams are required to participate in media and press opportunities related to SENTECH Virtual Hackathon. This includes, but is not limited to, the following opportunities:

  • Teams may be asked to provide a description of their pitch that will be made available to media and may be released publicly, either in part or in its entirety.
  • Participants may be asked to speak to the media for competition related interviews when requested; participants may be asked to provide quotes and/or content for any competition related press releases.
  • Participating in media and press opportunities in no way requires teams to disclose any proprietary or otherwise confidential information related to their innovations. The Sentech and Tshimologong Precinct agree to provide consultation to any team, upon request, to avoid such disclosures while participating in press related opportunities.

Post event:

After the completion of the hackathon, the winning solutions shall be showcased with the applicable pictures and videos to internal staff. Further discussions and negotiations with winners.

Methods of Assessment:

The following methods will be used to judge the participants for shortlisting and the final winners:

All participants must comply with the full terms and conditions, which include important submission requirements.

Judges will determine the winner as fully described in the Terms & Conditions, based on following criteria/weights:

Creativity

Bringing the “wow” factor to solve a problem

Usability

Usefulness of the product to solve a problem

Technicality

The technology used to create the solution

Scalability

Potential for future upgrades to improve upon the solution

Business value

Solving a problem while aligning to the business goals

Socio-economic benefit

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS