Multinational technology firm IBM is among the partners of a forthcoming India-based hackathon set to focus on bitcoin, the blockchain and FinTech.
Called HackCoin, the two-day event is scheduled for 1st and 2nd August at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Presented by Zone Startups and local bitcoin advocate Raunaq Vaisoha, the event will engage participants on themes including Big Data, payments and the digital experience.
The aim, according to event press materials, is to introduce more developers to the bitcoin and wider blockchain ecosystem, as well as the available APIs from major providers.
Benson Samuel, CTO of Coinsecure, explained that HackCoin’s choice of venue proved key to its ability to attract sponsors. Notably, Zone Startups is formally affiliated with the BSE Institute, a subsidiary of the parent stock exchange.
Vaisoha told CoinDesk:
“More and more venture capitalists are seeing the opportunity of investing in the early infrastructure of bitcoin, however, despite the large interest, more applications still need to be built around it. We’re excited for the outcome of HackCoin.”
HackCoin is seeking participants well-versed in PHP, Python and SHA, as well as more general skill sets such as HTML and entrepreneurship. Prizes will include a variety of gift packages, as well as pitch opportunities for the event’s most compelling projects.
IBM has previously explored blockchain technologies as part of its Internet of Things (IoT) program. First revealed in January, ADEPT leveraged smart contracts provided by Ethereum and the bitcoin blockchain to envision systems by which smart appliances might be able to be more efficient.
Additional sponsors for the event include India-based bitcoin wallet provider Zebpay and digital payments specialist Citrus.
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