General Questions
How do I follow the challenge and get updates?
Who can I contact if I have questions about the challenge? 

Submission Requirements
What do I need to use to build my app?
What APIs or datasets can I include in my app?
Why do I have to upload a video?
What should I put in my video?
Does my app need to be publicly available or, if an app, submitted to an online store?

Testing Process
How can I provide ChallengePost with access to test my app?

Eligibility & IP
Who is eligible to enter the competition?
We are an organization. Can we enter?
Do the apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting apps?
Can more than one person work on an app and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?
Can my app win more than one prize?
Can I enter more than one app?
Do I retain intellectual property ownership? 
What will you do with my submission?

Public Voting
How does public voting work?

How do I follow the challenge and get updates?

When you register for the challenge, you’ll automatically be signed up to receive updates regarding the challenge. Follow us on Twitter at @ChallengePost.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the challenge?

Email Support@ChallengePost.com or post a question to the discussion board.

What do I need to use to build my app?

To build your app you’ll need to utilize the Analytics for Hadoop service on IBM Bluemix, (sign up for your extended free account here). You'll also need to analyze one or more datasets included in the curated list of datasets on the Data page OR meet the data size, content, and licensing requirements described on the Data page. The total size of the Datasets analyzed must be between 500MB - 7GB in size.

What APIs or datasets can I include in my app?

You may use whatever APIs and SDKs you choose, as long as you are authorized to use and distribute them.

You can analyze one or more datasets included in the curated list of datasets on the Data page OR meet the data size, content, and licensing requirements described on the Data page. The total size of the Datasets analyzed must be between 500MB - 7GB in size. 

Why do I have to upload a video?

The Popular Choice awards are determined by public voting. A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your app. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that captures the app’s value and user interface.

What should I put in my video?

Aside from your actual app, your submission video is one of the most important parts of your entry. In fact, it’s often one of the first, and sometimes only, things that judges and voters view. Make a great first impression by following these tips on what to include in your video:

• Include a step-by-step demo. Demonstrate your app’s key features by showing them functioning on an appropriate device. While audio isn’t required, narration or text bubbles can help judges and voters understand your app. Remember, your video should clearly explain the insights gathered from the data and the process and method that was used in order to reach that insight, including the tools and algorithms used.

• Keep it simple. Per the official rules, your video shouldn’t be longer than five minutes. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

• Don’t wait until the last minute to upload your video. Keep in mind that the time it takes to upload/process a video on YouTube or Vimeo varies greatly depending on the format of your original video, the file size, upload traffic and Internet connection speed, and could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or more.

Don’t know much about making videos? Check out these helpful screencasting tools. 

Does my app need to be publicly available or, if an app, submitted to an online store?

You app must not be publicly available for purchase on an online store or website prior to the announcement of Challenge winners.

How can I provide the judges with access to test my app?

You must make your app available for testing by providing a link to access your web-hosted, public application on the “Website URL” field of the Enter a Submission form.

Who is eligible to enter the competition?

The challenge is open to individuals, and teams of individuals, who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry. The challenge is also open to legally registered corporations or organizations that employ fewer than 50 people at the time of entry. (See the next question for large organization eligibility.). 

The challenge is not open to any government entity or government employees participating as part of their job, or on behalf of a government entity.

Please review the Official Rules for complete eligibility requirements. 

We are an organization. Can we enter?

Organizations with 50 or fewer employees (who are not government entities) may enter and compete for cash prizes. Organizations with more than 50 employees may enter and compete only for the Large Organization Recognition Award, which has no cash prize.

Do the apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting apps?

To be eligible, submitted apps must have been newly created by the participant after October 15, 2014.

Can more than one person work on an app and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?

Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals or an organization is selected as an award winner, the full prize amount will be sent to the submitter. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money between the team members, as they deem it appropriate.

Can my app win more than one prize?

Yes. All submissions entered by eligible individuals, teams of individuals, and non-government organizations with 50 or fewer employees can compete for the Grand and Runner-Up awards as well as the Fan Favorite Award.

Large organizations are only eligible for the Large Organization Recognition Award.

In addition, a $100 donation to platabillion.org will be made in the name of each team/individual who has submitted an application for the first 40 applications submitted.

Can I enter more than one app?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person, team, or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. However, if you submit two or more apps that are identical or substantially similar, the Sponsor and ChallengePost reserve the right to disqualify all the submissions or require you to choose one submission to enter into the competition.

Do I retain intellectual property ownership?

Yes. By submitting an app to the challenge, you do not transfer any intellectual property rights to the Sponsor or ChallengePost. The Sponsor and ChallengePost will have the right to feature all app entered in the competition for promotional purposes. See the Official Rules for details.

What will you do with my submission?

The Sponsor and ChallengePost will have the right to publicly display your submission on the challenge website. They will also be allowed to publicize your name on the challenge website in connection with the submission and the challenge during the competition and for 36 months after its conclusion. For more information on publicity rights, please see the Official Rules.

How does public voting work?

Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like, but no more than once for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine the Popular Choice award winner. Have more questions about public voting? Check out our handy public voting help article.