About KAEC
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to diversify its economy, attract foreign investment, and provide jobs for its citizens, 65% of whom are under the age of 30. It is a sizable undertaking and still in the early stages of development but much progress has been made and KAEC is moving forward.

The city is based on several components.

King Abdullah Port
King Abdullah Port in KAEC will change the logistics map globally by virtue of it's strategic location on the Red Sea and on the main Euro-Asia trade route. Shipping lines can save several days by moving traffic to King Abdullah Port for goods headed to the Mideast, Gulf Peninsula and Saudi markets. It is a hub between East and West. It will be one of the largest ten ports in the world and the first phase is now opened.

The Industrial Valey
The Industrial Valley is focused on energy-intensive industries. KAEC has attracted many global and local companies in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Pharmaceuticals, Plastics, Building Materials, Logistics, and Automotive industries and aspires to attract more.

Housing
KAEC is the size, physically, of Washington, DC. And with 65% Saudi Arabia's population of 29 million people under the age of 30 the Kingdom will need to build four million housing units over the next 20 years. KAEC is set up to help with that and has many development underway and planned. If KAEC can attract 10% of that market the city will be built up, end to end, by 2030.

Tourism
Saudi Arabia is the 17th most visited country in the world because of the Hajj and Umrah for Muslims. Located just one hour from Jeddah, Mecca and Medina, KAEC is trying to address how it can to serve these visitors in a more elaborate way and provide them with tourism opportunities around their religious experience. KAEC is also a great destination for regional families looking to enjoy the Red Sea and businesses looking for a perfect location for a business conference or retreat by leveraging the Bay La Sun Hotel.

What's in it for you - the developer?
This is a unique opportunity to be a critical part of building a city. With technology now prevalent in all aspects of our lives city development for the 21st century requires a software layer that is every bit as important as the infrastructure of roads and sewers and electricity. It is a software layer that can help grow the port business, attract companies to the Industrial Valley and the Business Park, stimulate a healthy community inside KAEC, encourage tourism, help with the needs of the schools and the health facilities, and sell real estate. This is an opportunity to help build the software layer that fosters the success and well-being of KAEC's businesses, residents, and visitors.

Eligibility

Who can enter?

  • Individuals and teams of individuals who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry
  • Organizations who employ fewer than 50 people at the time of entry
  • Large organizations (with 50 or more employees) may compete for a non-cash recognition award

 

Requirements

 What to create and submit: 

  • A semi-functioning proof of concept app 
  • A YouTube or Vimeo video demonstrating the functionality of your app; and
  • One or more screenshots of your app and the means to access your app for testing/judging, such as a URL, installation file or shared test build if available. 

Platforms:  iOS, Android, or web

New & existing apps:  new and existing apps may submitted.  

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$50,000 in prizes

Best Overall App

This recognizes the app that most successfully combines excellence in the idea, the design, and the build.

Most Useful App

This recognizes the app that adds the most impactful utility for King Abdullah Economic City residents and or businesses.

People's Choice App

This recognizes the app that receives the most votes from the public.

Investor's Choice Award

This recognizes the most promising app from a business perspective.

Best App from Saudi Arabia

This recognizes the best overall app from Saudi Arabia.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

How to enter

Contestants must register on the site and submit an app pursuant to the rules and on or before May 16, 2014.

Judges

To Be Announced

To Be Announced

Michael Brady

Michael Brady
Partner, Phoekus

Wafa Al-Hameedi

Wafa Al-Hameedi
Head of IT & Corporate Services, EEC

Fahd Hamidaddin

Fahd Hamidaddin
Head of Marketing, Communication, & Corporate Sustainability, EEC

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity
    Originality of concept.
  • Usefulness
    Utility to city's residents and or businesses.
  • Commercialization
    Potential for commercialization?

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