DSOC : Summer Edition

The Challenge

Participants are expected to develop an original project aligned with one or more of the official DSOC Summer Edition tracks. The goal is not simply to demonstrate technical proficiency, but to create solutions that address meaningful challenges through innovation, practicality, and thoughtful execution. Your project should:

• Solve a real-world problem or address a clearly defined opportunity
• Demonstrate innovation, creativity, and originality
• Include meaningful technical implementation
• Showcase practical application and potential impact
• Be substantially developed during the hackathon period
• Clearly communicate the problem, solution, and outcomes

Projects may include software applications, AI systems, analytics platforms, business tools, automation solutions, research prototypes, engineering systems, or other technology-driven innovations.

Tracks / Categories

Participants may submit projects under one or more of the following categories:

• Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Systems
• Software Engineering & Digital Platforms
• Data Science, Analytics & Decision Intelligence
• Financial Technology & Digital Commerce
• Tax, Compliance & Regulatory Innovation
• Business Strategy & Management Systems
• Sales, Marketing & Customer Growth Technologies
• Entrepreneurship & Startup Innovation
• Manufacturing, Design & Industrial Systems
• Open Innovation Challenge: For original and forward-thinking solutions that extend beyond conventional disciplines and demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation, and potential impact.

Required Tech & Constraints

• Eligibility: Students only. Above legal age of majority in country of residence. Companies/professional organizations excluded from participation. All countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

Submission Requirements

Each team must submit the following through Devpost:

1. Project Title & Team Information: Provide the name of your project along with information about participating team members.
2. Project Description: A clear explanation of the problem being addressed, the proposed solution, target users or beneficiaries, key features and functionality, and expected impact.
3. Demo Video: Recommended length: 2–5 minutes. The video should explain the problem, your solution, key features, technical implementation, and results or outcomes.
4. Project Repository: A public GitHub repository or equivalent source code repository.
5. Presentation Deck (Optional but Recommended): A presentation summarizing problem statement, solution overview, technical architecture, innovation highlights, and future roadmap.
6. Live Demo or Prototype (Recommended): Provide a working prototype, deployed application, product demo, or interactive showcase whenever possible.

Judging Criteria

Projects will be reviewed based on:

• Innovation & Originality
• Technical Quality
• Practical Impact
• Scalability
• User Experience
• Presentation & Documentation

Prizes

• Grand Champion Award: 1 winner. For the most outstanding project across all categories.
• Excellence Award: 1 winner. For outstanding technical capability, innovation, and execution.
• Merit Award: 1 winner. For strong innovation, thoughtful design, and effective implementation.
• Theme Excellence Awards: 10 winners, across categories like Best Artificial Intelligence Solution, Best Financial Technology Solution, Best Sales & Marketing Innovation, Best Business Management Solution, Best Business Development Platform, Best Software Engineering Project, Best Design & Manufacturing Innovation, Best Internet of Things (IoT) Solution, Best Drone & Autonomous Systems Project, Best Health Technology Innovation.
• Distinguished Participant Recognition: 25 winners. For exceptional effort, creativity, professionalism, and technical merit.
• Participation & Completion Recognition: 500 winners. For all eligible participants who successfully submit a qualifying project.
• Community Recognition & Swag Program: 100 winners. Selected participants may additionally receive merchandise and other benefits.

Bonus / Optional Points

Presentation Deck and Live Demo or Prototype are recommended but not required.