Hackathon challenges developers to build killer blockchain apps using JavaScript

A platform that allows blockchain applications to be built using JavaScript has invited developers and entrepreneurs with bright ideas to take place in an online hackathon.

HackOnLisk aims to support innovation on the Lisk network as it moves to the Sapphire phase of its roadmap — marking the moment where different blockchains within its ecosystem can communicate with each other for the very first time.

In order to enter, participants need to build a blockchain application using Lisk SDK 5.1.0, the latest release, and provide a URL to an open-source repository. Last but by no means least, a 10-minute video also has to be created that demonstrates the key features of the application, and explains them in a clear way.

A total prize pool of up to $33,000 is up for grabs — and this is coupled with access to technical expertise from Lightcurve‘s development team, as well as Lisk’s own core community. Individuals and organizations are welcome to get involved, and talented developers can also band together to form a team if they prefer.

How the hackathon works

About 200 participants have already thrown their hats into the ring. The deadline for submissions to HackOnLisk is July 9, and winners will be announced on July 23. An all-star judging panel has been unveiled for this event, including the Lisk Foundation‘s co-founder and CEO Max Kordek, Cointelegraph’s very own opinion editor Max Yakubowski, and Wachsman PR CEO David Wachsman.

The judging criteria has been split into four different factors — each of which will be given the same weight. The first 25% examines how much of a contribution that a project makes toward Lisks ecosystem, and the decentralization of the web as a whole. Other factors include originality and creativity, and how novel the concept is. The level of skill or knowledge required to build the application will also be taken into account, as well as how intuitive and understandable the submission is for users.

All applications are also going to be put forward to a public vote, and the one that receives the most support will be given the Lisk Community Choice Award Prize.

Incubating big and bold ideas

Winners also have the chance to receive preferential access to Lisks grant program, which is designed to support the development and implementation of projects focused on lending, stablecoins, NFT marketplaces, social networks, decentralized autonomous organizations, and oracles. All of these areas are big business in the world of crypto at the moment — and each represents exciting use cases that contribute to a new era of finance.

Applications to Lisks grant program are going to take place in waves on a quarterly basis. The first round of applications is going to be accepted until July 31, and further windows will be open until September 30, December 31 and March 31, 2022. Grants are paid through milestones — ensuring that financial support is delivered when a project is first established, and for subsequent milestones including the minimum viable product, development and launch phases.

The hackathon and the grants program come at a busy time for Lisk, which recently unveiled a revamped website with a brand-new domain name: Lisk.com.

Lisks annual two-day conference for developers, Lisk.js, was also held virtually toward the end of May. During the event, the team unveiled their brand-new interoperability solution.