Frequently asked questions
Is the hackathon free?
Participation cost details will be confirmed on the registration page.
Can I participate online?
Yes. This is a hybrid event - you can join in person in Cape Town or online. See Hybrid Participation for details.
Do I need previous Interledger experience?
No. Teams will be introduced to the Interledger Protocol, Open Payments, Rafiki and the supporting tools through documentation, workshops and mentor support sessions.
Can I register without a team?
Yes. Indicate on the registration form that you are registering as an individual and we will do our best to place you into a team.
How large can a team be?
Teams should ideally include three to five participants, with at least one person able to work on the technical implementation.
Do I need to be a developer?
No. The hackathon is open to designers, product people, fintech professionals, students, entrepreneurs and community innovators - teams are encouraged to be multidisciplinary.
What must we build?
A working or partially working proof of concept that addresses a focused part of the spaza shop payments challenge and makes meaningful use of Interledger or Open Payments technology. See The Challenge and Submissions.
Can we start working before the event?
Work should primarily be completed during the official hackathon period. You are welcome to research the problem space and learn the technology in advance.
Who owns the solution?
Teams retain ownership of their work.
What happens if our prototype is incomplete?
That's okay - partially working prototypes may be submitted. Teams are not judged purely on polish: a smaller, well-considered working solution may perform better than an ambitious but incomplete idea. Be clear about known limitations and recommended next steps in your submission.
How will online teams receive support?
Online teams receive access to the same challenge brief, technical documentation, workshops, mentor check-ins and communication channels as in-person teams.
What equipment should in-person participants bring?
Bring your own laptop and anything else you need to work comfortably. Full venue details will be confirmed closer to the event.
Will food and internet access be provided?
Venue arrangements, including catering and connectivity, will be confirmed closer to the event.
When will the challenge brief be released?
The challenge brief will be shared with registered teams - the release date will be announced on this site and in the event communication channels.