The energy sector is being disrupted, and with technological change come new opportunities. Who will be the Facebook, Amazon and Uber of the emerging smart energy sector? If you want the answer to be 'you' then come along to the EnergyLab Brisbane Hackathon!

New energy technologies such as solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles and over-the-internet metering and control systems are rapidly becoming cheaper and more ubiquitous. At the same time, there have been great advances in adjacent areas such as artificial intelligence, drones and telecommunications. The convergence of all these trends makes new innovations and business models possible.

The EnergyLab Brisbane Hackathon is designed to bring people interested in energy innovation together to brainstorm, develop and demonstrate new business concepts. We have partnered with Wattwatchers which will provide access to its API for any teams that wish to build their solution on the Wattwatchers energy management platform for homes and commercial buildings.

How it works

1. Inspiration: We'll kick off with a few quick presentations about problems you might consider solving, as well as an explanation of how to make the best use of the Wattwatchers API and data.

2. Team forming: You can register as a team if you want, but if you're missing a team member or registering as an individual then we'll help you find teammates. 

3. Ideation: Once teams are formed the brainstorming begins! Come up with a bunch of ideas and pick the one you want to work on for the rest of the hackathon.  

4. Developing: We'll leave lots of time for you to develop your ideas, build a prototype if possible, and prepare your presentation. 

5. Presenting: Each team will present to a panel of judges, who will pick the winning teams. 

6. Celebrating: Unwind and celebrate what you've achieved in less than 24hrs over a drink and something to eat.

Key Information

Where: Fishburners, 155 Queen Street, Brisbane, Queensland 

When: 5:30pm Friday 10 November to 8:00pm Saturday 11 November

Who: Students, entrepreneurs, designers, engineers, hackers, professionals, and anyone else interested in energy startups. You can register as an individual or as a team.

Cost: Free and all meals provided!

Agenda

Friday 10th November

• 5:30pm: Arrive, have something to drink and eat, and start to get to know your fellow participants

• 6:00pm: Presentations to provide inspiration, resources and information on what the next 24 hours will entail

• 7:00pm: Dinner (if you already have a team you can get working or go home at this point)

• 7:30pm: For individuals and teams who want more members: 1-minute talks to say who you are and what you're looking for in a team member

• 8:00pm: Finalise teams and register on DevPost

• 8:30pm: Go home and rest (or work if you really want to)

Saturday 11th November

• 8:00am: Doors open and breakfast served

• Work in your teams, mentors will come around and provide assistance if you want it

• 12:30pm: Lunch served

• 3:45pm: Submissions due on DevPost

• 4:00pm: 5-minute presentation by each team followed by questions from the judges

• 5:00pm: Quick break while the judges deliberate

• 5:15pm: Winners announced!

• 5:30pm: Drinks to celebrate all you've achieved in 24 hours

• 7:00pm: Doors close

Frequently asks questions (FAQs)

How many people are allowed in a team?
Teams must contain 2, 3 or 4 people. Teams with 5 or more people in them must break into two or more smaller teams. Individuals can't compete but we will help you find at least one other person to form a team with (see below).

I already have teammates, can I just participate with them?
Yes! As long as you have at least one other person on your team (and your team doesn't have more than four people in it) you can skip the networking part of the event and get straight to work. 

I don't know anyone else attending, how will I form a team? 
We have your back! The night will start off with a couple casual opportunities to get to know other people (drinks and dinner). We'll then go around the room and ask everyone who needs one or more additional team members to say who they are and what they're looking for in a teammate. You will then have an opportunity to talk to the people who you think you're a good match with. We'll make sure that by the end of the night everyone has a team they can participate with. 

About EnergyLab

EnergyLab is Australia’s leading platform for launching new energy businesses. Our integrated approach draws on the community of clean energy entrepreneurs and offers a range of ways to engage and leverage their ideas, technologies and resources. To read more about EnergyLab head to energylab.org.au.

Volunteers needed!

If you don't want to participate, but still want to be involved, we'd love some people to help out on the day. If you're interested in volunteering please email James Tilbury at james@energylab.org.au.

1. Come along to the kick-off evening, at 5:30pm on Friday and form a team if you don't have one already
2. Click “Register” to access the submission form and start your draft early
3. Brainstorm ideas and pick one to work on
4. Visit the Resources page to learn more about the Wattwatchers API and how to get access
5. If possible create a prototype or mockup of your solution
6. Create a pitch deck and practice your presentation
7. Submit your pitch deck by 3:45pm on Saturday 
8. Give a 5 minute presentation to the judges and answer their questions

• Team
  The team come across as cohesive and have complementary skills and experience. They would make good startup cofounders.
• Value
  The team has come up with a product or service that their customers are likely to want. They're targetting a market that is either large or growing fast.
• Differentiation
  The proposed product or service is brand new or contains an innovative twist on an existing solution. It is possible they could build an advantage over their competition in time.
• Business plan
  The team has a viable plan for generating revenue and becoming financially sustainable. What they propose is either possible with current regulations or is likely to be soon.