FAQ

General FAQ

• How can I sign up?
• What am I supposed to do there?
• When and where does the event take place?
• How much will it cost?
• What is the team size?
• Can we sign up as a team?
• What if I don’t have an idea or a team?

Further Questions

• How do I get to Zurich?
• Should I work on the project for 40 hours non-stop or can I take a break?
• What about intellectual property? Do I own my code?
• Can I participate in the event as a guest?
• How old do I have to be to participate in HackZurich?
• How do I find team members?
• What if I don’t know how to program?
• How does the application process work?
• Can I come to work on an already existing idea or a project for my start-up?
• What do I need to take with me?
• Can I visit the Digital Festival before HackZurich?
• What should I do if I have additional questions or just want to express my limitless gratitude?

Answers

• How can I sign up?

  Applications are closed for HackZurich 2019. Sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know when registration opens in 2020.

• What am I supposed to do there?

  You will team up to create a web, mobile, or desktop application during a 40 hours non-stop hacking marathon.

• When and where does the event take place?

  The event takes place at the Technopark in Zurich, Switzerland from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29, 2019.

• How much will it cost?

  HackZurich is completely free! We will provide food, cool swags and awesome tech gadgets as prizes. We also provide travel costs reimbursement, as you can see below.

• What is the team size?

  At most 4 people, and you should be at least 2 people.

• Can we sign up as a team?

  No. At HackZurich everyone has to register individually. There is no option to sign up as a team.

• What if I don’t have an idea or a team?

  You can join any team or create your own. If you don't have an idea yet, other hackers and the workshops of our sponsors will inspire you.

• How do I get to Zurich?

  We work hard to get you to Zurich as cheap as possible. We offer transportation reimbursement accordingly:

  Coming from … we will get you …

  • … less than 350 km … reimbursement up to CHF 50
  • … from 350 to 700 km … reimbursement up to CHF 100
  • … more than 700 km … reimbursement up to CHF 150
  • … outside of Europe … reimbursement up to CHF 300

  Please bring your receipts to the event to get reimbursed. Reimbursements will only be granted if a project is completed and submitted.

• Should I work on the project for 40 hours non-stop or can I take a break?

  Of course you can take a break to refresh your mind! We will provide a nice venue and some facilities to sleep. However, you will prefer working as much as you can – so sleep in! To ensure a fresh working environment and your personal hygiene we’ll provide showers as well.

• What about intellectual property? Do I own my code?

  Definitely! You submit the code for the pure purpose of evaluation and awarding, you do not transfer any rights of your work. Registering a patent after showing a demo could be difficult, but patents are so 2001 anyways. You’ll hack two apps in the time of filing one patent.

• Can I participate in the event as a guest?

  The capacity for guests at HackZurich is very limited. If you like to pass by please apply online: https://forms.gle/ePQgHidLs2m9wkHH8. After your registration, we will send you a confirmation or cancellation email depending on availability.

• How old do I have to be to participate in HackZurich?

  You have to be at least 18 years old at the time of the event.

• How do I find team members?

  You simply find them at the event. Anyone who has an idea can pitch it to the crowd. Moreover, sponsors and partners will also provide their APIs and some challenges that they are facing. You team up with people around you to work on any idea you like!

• What if I don’t know how to program?

  If you come willing to learn and full of ideas there will be people eager to teach you what you need to know and put you to work.

• How does the application process work?

  We want to make sure that everyone who attends is eager to hack and share knowledge, therefore we will briefly review your registration and come back to you as fast as possible. Please do not book your transportation before you get a final confirmation.

• Can I come to work on an already existing idea or a project for my start-up?

  You have to come with an idea that you have not worked on before. If you use any code written specifically for this idea in advance, or work on a new project that is somehow related to an already existing company, you might be asked to leave the event. However, we would be happy to see you as a sponsor – and then you can propose your ideas to the hackers! We cannot allow participants or guests with a commercial interest in the event itself or other participants.

• What do I need to take with me?

  The main thing to take is your computer and a charger and if necessary an adapter for the Swiss plug type J. Take some clothes to change. We will provide free food and anything else you might need during the event like sleeping rooms and showers. Please make sure you bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat with you. The sleeping rooms are only available during the night of 27/28 and during the night of 28/29. We will inform you about anything additional you need to bring closer to the event.

• Can I visit the Digital Festival before HackZurich?

  HackZurich is completely for free. In order to visit the Digital Festival please check www.digitalfestival.ch.

• What should I do if I have additional questions or just want to express my limitless gratitude?

  Aw shucks. Well, if you really must thank us, or you have questions about anything we've not covered here, shoot us an email at info@hackzurich.com.