Between August 21 - 23 in Melbourne the first leg of the nexpaq Hackathon kicks off - a celebration of makers, open source hardware and hackster communities, competing in a meetup series across the world.

Developers will be able to get a head start on making new modules for the smartphone case nexpaq, to be in with a chance to win cash prizes and paid trips abroad. Developers, idea-makers, project managers, and business people are invited to form teams of four and be one of our first module makers at the Hackathon, live on-site with nexpaq in Melbourne city.

Hackathon teams will develop their modules under the assistance of mentors and nexpaq staff over the three-day event, with the final night showcasing each team’s achievements in front of a panel of judges, who will assess:

• Innovation
• Clear market appeal
• Hardware app suitability
• Manufacturability
• Potential for a software app following

As well as monetary prizes, winners will be the first to sell their module to a global audience of nexpaq users on the nexpaq webshop.

The Hackathon is an exciting collaboration between nexpaq, the Carlton Connect Initiative and the Melbourne Networked Society Institute, in association with the University of Melbourne.

“We are very excited about the upcoming nexpaq Hackathon,” Dr Charlie Day, Project Director of the Carlton Connect Initiative, said. “Having hosted one before, we see the benefits and value of Hackathons here at CCI. Hackathons are the future of innovation, and a good way to bring high tech and business partners together to collaborate and do great things.”

Thas Nirmalathas, Director – Melbourne Networked Society Institute, added “Mobile platforms are a huge element of the networked society. The Institute is excited to partner with nexpaq in this Hackathon that is empowering digital and mobile innovation in Australia”.

Teams will need to register at http://nexpaq.com/hackathon/, as spaces are limited. Live updates during the Hackathon will also be available at the above address, as well as announcements of the next stages of the worldwide tour.