Open Compute is a venture by Facebook to create the next generation of cutting edge hardware. Its goal is to create efficient computing devices at the lowest possible cost by custom designing servers and data centers. The most important part of the project may be that it is open-sourced and shareable with everybody.
With Facebook as its founding father, it’s a no-brainer that Open Compute will somehow leverage the social network to produce results. Because of that, Facebook is seeking out talented hardware designers and specialists for the second Open Compute Hardware Hackathon which will be held on June 18th at the Facebook HQ.
The hackathon is looking for ideas for hardware that applies to scale compute space. The scope of the hackathon also includes the industrial Internet or the Internet of things. With the event starting around noon and ending around midnight, it almost sounds impossible to design hardware from the ground up. Don’t worry as Facebook and Open Compute has teamed up with Upverter and GrabCAD. Upverter allows users to design and build circuits in a web browser and then share them easily while GrabCAD provides tons of CAD files to make sure that everyone isn’t starting from scratch.
Unlike software hackathons, hardware hackathons don’t really expect a finished or polished product as a result. However, the completeness of the design, its applicability to scaled-out computing, and the probability of the hardware attracting funding are all criteria for the selection of the hackathon winner.
As for the prize, entrepreneurs will receive $10,000 toward the development of the idea as well as help from the Open Compute Project foundation into setting up pitches with SKTA Innopartners and other VC firms. The winner will also present their idea at GigaOM’s Structure conference on June 19 in front of an audience of venture capitalists and other infrastructure executives and entrepreneurs.
Hurry and sign up as the participants is limited to only 100 registrants. You’ll need to apply for a spot and upon acceptance, an email will be sent shortly thereafter. Go to this link and apply either as an individual or as a team and be on your way to making a dent on the world of scaled-out computing hardware.









