UC ANR ups prize money for apps to solve real agriculture problems
Winners receive $7,500 for first place, $4,500 for second place and $2,500 for third place
The stakes have been raised. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources has added more cash to the prizes for the fourth Apps for Ag Hackathon on July 15-17. Software developers, designers, entrepreneurs, farmers, farm consultants and others in the agricultural industry are invited to compete.
At the hackathon, anyone with an idea for a mobile app that would simplify a task for growers or ranchers can team up with people who can turn the idea into something functional.
“We hope to create some really transformative technology for agriculture,” said Gabriel Youtsey, UC ANR's chief information officer.
Teams will compete in three challenge areas: pest management, drought and irrigation efficiency, and healthy soil. See http://www.apps-for-ag.com/challenges/ for details. Food or agriculture-related concepts that do not fit within these challenge areas are also welcome.
The competition, the fourth in a series to solve real problems in agriculture and food, is being hosted by UC ANR and the California State Fair.
The hackathon will be held at the UC ANR building at 2801 Second Street in Davis, from 8 a.m. Friday, July 15, to 11 a.m. Sunday, July 17.
Participants will compete for cash prizes at a “pitchfest” in front of a live audience at the California State Fair on Sunday, July 17, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three apps: $7,500 for first place, $4,500 for second place and $2,500 for third place.
The first place team will also receive a six-month top-tier membership to the AgStart Incubator in Woodland and custom rodeo-style belt buckles. All three top teams will also receive complimentary startup incorporation services from Royse Law worth $2,200.
USDA Deputy Chief Information Officer Joyce Hunter will be a keynote speaker. Judges will include University of California Chief Information Officer Tom Andriola, UC Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Glenda Humiston, USDA Chief Data Officer Bobby Jones, and Better Food Ventures and Mixing Bowl Hub Founder Rob Trice.
“Hackathons are a great way to spur innovation in industry verticals where technology has not been fully adopted,” said Trice.
The Apps for Ag hackathon is sponsored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, the California State Fair and City of Sacramento.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.apps-for-ag.com.