Spatial information is nothing without the ideas and expertise to turn data into innovative, unique and valuable applications. This is why organisations like HERE Maps, VicRoads, What3words and Airbus are looking to award innovative ideas that turn their extensive data and resources into useful applications at this year’s GeoNext Hackfest. Entries will open at the launch event on 29 July 2015 and the winner will be announced at the GeoNext conference on 19 August in Melbourne, where finalists will be invited to present their solutions. To participate in the hackfest, simply register online through Eventbrite.

Last year’s inaugural hackfest saw HERE and GoGet open their datasets and led to the development of a number of workable solutions. This year’s hackfest will be even bigger with VicRoads, What3words, Airbus and once again HERE Maps opening their extensive datasets and resources for the competition and offering a total of $4500 AUD in prizes.

The GeoNext Hackfest will be launched on 29 July 2015 at ThoughtWorks Melbourne, and interested participants are invited to attend for free. Attendance is not compulsory, however the event is an ample opportunity to become familiar with the competition, hear from data providers VicRoads and meet fellow participants. You will also have the chance to get a headstart on the competition, and attendees are encouraged to bring along their laptops. Hackfests are also a great way to get people with unique skills together to network and share ideas. You may enter individually, as a team or form a team at the launch event:

Name: GeoNext Hackfest Launch Event

Time: 6pm – 8:45pm

Date: Wed 29 July 2015

Venue: ThoughtWorks Melbourne

Address: 23/303 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cost: Free

Event Website: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/geonexts-hackfest-tickets-17805888893

For further details of the hackfest, view the GeoNext Hackfest Terms and Conditions.