Big 5 AI and Blockchain Hackathon
Participation and Submission Guide
Can I submit a project individually or do I need a team?
You may submit a project as an individual. However, we strongly encourage you to form a team. Our hackathon is competitive and the challenges are ambitious, so teaming up increases your chances of building a strong and complete solution.
If you want teammates, you can use the official WhatsApp groups that have been created for participants. Introduce yourself, share your interests, and connect with others working on similar ideas.
What information must be included in my project submission?
Each project submission must include:
- Product name and short description
- Which Big 5 category are you submitting for
- List of teammates
- Where the team is located
- A product logo or graphic
- Public Github repo link(s): All repos must be open source. No private repos are allowed. This supports the government's open-source policy direction.
- Link to a presentation video: Maximum 3 minutes
- Link to a technical overview video: Maximum 3 minutes
Treat your submission as your pitch to potential collaborators, government stakeholders, and future investors. Take time to make your materials clear and high quality.
How are projects judged?
The Big 5 AI and Blockchain Hackathon focuses on national transformation, practical innovation, and real deployability in the public sector.
Judges will consider the following:
- Alignment with National Priorities
Does the solution directly address one of the problems in the official problem bank? Does it demonstrate a clear benefit to citizens, government processes, or national development?
- Understanding of the Problem
Does the team show a clear grasp of the context, the current challenges, and why their approach is meaningful? Has the team engaged with relevant feedback during the hackathon?
- Product Quality and Execution
Does the product work? Is the prototype functional? Has the team made visible progress and incorporated real feedback?
- Practicality and Adoption Potential
Could this solution realistically be deployed in a ministry, agency, or district? Does it have a path to becoming production ready?
- Communication
Is the team able to clearly explain the problem, the solution, and why their approach matters? Does the presentation demonstrate clarity and confidence?
Christex Foundation and MoCTI will review all submissions and create a shortlist. Relevant ministries, departments, and agencies will select the winners for each category.
What do judges expect in the Github repo?
We simply want to see that:
- You did meaningful work during the hackathon.
- Your team wrote the code yourselves (you and your AI).
- You prioritised features that address the challenge clearly.
- The repo is organised and easy to understand for reviewers.
- All work is open source.
We do not require any specific programming languages, frameworks, or design patterns.
Can I submit more than one project?
No. Each participant may only be part of one project and one team.
If we win, are we required to join any programme after the hackathon?
No. Winners are not obligated to join any accelerator or programme beyond the hackathon.
Hackathon Stages
The Big 5 Hackathon runs in two main stages, designed to help teams refine, validate, and strengthen real solutions for national challenges.
Stage 1: Build Sprint (Two Weeks)
All teams will have two weeks to build their initial solution. During this period teams will:
- Work on their selected Big 5 challenge.
- Receive general support from Christex Foundation and MoCTI.
At the end of Stage 1:
- Christex and MoCTI will review all submissions.
- The top 3 teams in each of the Big 5 categories will be selected.
- Around 15 teams will advance to the final stage.
Stage 2: Finalist Accelerator (Two Weeks)
The top 15 teams enter an intensive sprint to make their solutions production ready.
Finalists will receive:
- Dedicated daily support from technical and product mentors
- Unlimited credits for tools required during development
- Direct MDA engagement to refine feasibility and deployment
- Guidance on security, architecture, and implementation
- Support with presentation, documentation, and technical polish
The goal of Stage 2 is to help teams deliver solutions that could genuinely be piloted or deployed within government.
Need Help?
Use the WhatsApp groups to find teammates, ask questions, and connect with other participants. Additional guidance and resources will also be shared during the hackathon.
National Innovation Competition
