World’s First WordPress Online Hackathon
Think you’ve got what it takes to conquer WordPress? Prove it! Enter the Hackathon, and we’ll see if you truly are the master (like a big fish in a small pond).
Winners
Title Sponsor
Automattic is supporting innovation and creativity of WordPress at every step.
How It Works
The process is simple – Just create your masterpiece and prepare for fame and fortune. In addition to the excitement, there are many prizes, recognition, career-boosting opportunities, and learning!
Prizes
This event promises giant cash prizes and exposure to thousands of WordPress big
shots – agencies, product owners, and media houses! In the world of WordPress, recognition reigns supreme (and lasts much longer than money).
Closing Ceremony
Join us for the AnyoneCanWP Hackathon Closing Ceremony, where Matt Mullenweg will announce the winners and deliver inspiring closing remarks. He’ll be joined by Jesse Friedman for an insightful discussion, celebrating the innovation and hard work of our participants.
11th Nov, 2024
AnyoneCanWP Hackathon Topics – What to Expect?
While the AnyoneCanWP Hackathon is open to creativity and innovation, we’ve curated 20+ specific topics for participants to explore.
Call for Workshops
Do you have valuable insights to share? Host a workshop and become a leader in the WordPress community, The event will boost your profile in front of 250,000+ WordPressers.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our customer support team.
How will the Participants be shortlisted for the Demo Day?
What is the Demo Day? When is it?
It’s the day when the shortlisted candidates have a chance to present and explain their project in front of a 5-member jury. AnyoneCanWP Demo day is scheduled for November 10 (3:00 PM to 5:30 PM UTC).
Is there a specific topic for the hackathon?
The hackathon is open to imagination! Still, we have decided on some topics which you can choose to work on.
Who holds the rights to the projects submitted during the AnyoneCanWP Hackathon—the participant or InstaWP?
The submissions aren’t owned by InstaWP or the participants. They are open-source, adhering to the GPL v2 license, meaning anyone can freely use, modify, or share them. You can read more about it here: GPL v2 License.
Who is eligible to participate in the AnyoneCanWP Hackathon?
AnyoneCanWP is open to freelancers, bloggers, web masters, designers, and agencies. Employees of InstaWP are not eligible to participate.
How do I register for the hackathon?
Visit this page and follow the registration instructions. Make sure to complete the registration form and submit it before the deadline. If you are too early, join the waiting list, and we will let you know when the registrations are open.
What are the prizes for the winners?
The hackathon offers a total prize pool of $10,000.
First Cash Prize – $3,000
Second Cash Prize – $1,000
Third Cash Prize – $500.
Additionally, the top ten winners will each get $100 in cash plus credits. Every participant will receive free access to InstaWP premium features for 3 months, with the top winners enjoying a free one-year Starter account.
What are the key dates for the AnyoneCanWP’s Hackathon?
Here’s the roadmap of AnyoneCanWP Hackathon
Are there any specific requirements for the websites submitted?
There are 3 main rules you need to follow. Websites must be created using InstaWP using the free plugins or themes. You cannot use common or premade templates. Projects must be completed within a given timeframe (October 11 to October 26). Besides these, we expect that you will follow all ethical practices too.
Do I need a paid InstaWP account to participate?
Are there any fees to participate in the hackathon?
No, participation in the AnyoneCanWP hackathon is free.
Can I use premium themes or plugins for my submission?
No, only free/open-source plugins and themes are allowed for the hackathon.
If I start building my site on October 15 instead of October 11, will I still get 15 days?
No, the submission deadline is fixed (26 October 2024), so you will have less time to complete your site.
What criteria will the jury focus on during the final evaluation?
The jury will evaluate design, ease of use, maintainability, speed, functionality, responsiveness, and accessibility.
How can I promote my submission to get more upvotes?
Share your submission on social media, blogs, and within your network to encourage voting. Use of bots is discouraged and may lead to disqualification.
Can I submit more than one website for the hackathon?
No, only one submission per participant or team is allowed.
Can I update my submission after I’ve initially submitted it?
No, updates are not allowed after the initial submission.
What happens if I miss the submission deadline?
It is a hackathon where time plays an important role in choosing the winner. If you miss the deadline, your submission will not be considered for the hackathon.
How will the winners be announced?
While there is a voting system and an esteemed jury involved, InstaWP holds the right to make the final decision. Our focus will remain on keeping the winner selection unbiased. Winners will be announced on the event website and InstaWP’s social media channels on Nov 11, 2024.
Can I team up with other developers or designers to build my submission?
Yes, you can collaborate with others, but only one submission per team is allowed.
Are there any restrictions on the type of content I can include on my site?
Yes, content must be appropriate for the general audience. It is fine to use dummy content or free AI tools because the content is only a placeholder. Your website won’t be judged on the basis of its content.
How can I ensure my site meets all the accessibility requirements?
Follow the WCAG guidelines and test your site using accessibility tools.
Can I use custom code in addition to free plugins and themes?
Yes, custom code is allowed as long as you only use free plugins and themes. Make sure that you write this code during the completion. You can use InstaWP’s code editor for your staging site to add the custom code to it.
What happens if my site faces technical issues during the hackathon?
Participants are responsible for resolving technical issues; support may be limited. You can reach out to our support team whenever there is an issue.
Will there be any opportunities to network with other participants?
We will host a virtual event for the participants after the completion. It’ll be a great chance to network with other participants for you.
There will be an open discord channel for all participants.
How can participating in AnyoneCanWP benefit my professional portfolio?
Participating can showcase your development skills, creativity, and expertise to sponsors, onlookers, and jury members from the WordPress ecosystem. These people could be your next employer or investor. Also, as you will get access to InstaWP’s premium features for 3 months, it will help you hone your skills and build a better portfolio. And above all, we will distribute certificates to participants for the successful completion of the website and also for the winners, which can be added to your portfolio.
What actions can lead to disqualification from the hackathon?
Participants can be disqualified for violating any of the hackathon rules, such as using premium themes or plugins, employing common/premade templates, or not building their site on InstaWP. You will also be disqualified for ethical misconduct, such as using bots for voting, multiple submissions, and so on.
Can I appeal a disqualification decision?
No, all disqualification decisions are final. Participants are encouraged to strictly adhere to the rules to avoid any issues.
Will I be notified if I am disqualified?
Yes, participants will be notified via email if they are disqualified, along with the reason for the disqualification.
Can we use custom development plugins or develop a custom plugin or theme for the hackathon?
Yes, custom development of plugins or themes is allowed.
Can I participate solo, or are groups/teams allowed?
Both solo and team participation are allowed. You can choose to compete individually or as part of a team.