Seattle, King County and Washington State are teaming up to offer more than $75,000 in prize money for development of apps that use government data and stimulate economic development throughout the state. State support comes from the Washington State Broadband Office which is a program of the state Department of Commerce. The challenge officially opens today and is open to anyone who lives, works or studies in Washington State.
Three events are scheduled in August to build momentum for the challenge and connect developers with like-minded competitors:
- Seattle’s Office of Economic Development will host City Business Casual on August 9, 2012, focused on technology start-up businesses. It will be held at the Alexis Hotel’s Library Bistro in Seattle, 5-7 p.m. The event is free and no reservations are necessary.
- Geeks on a Ferry invites developers to ride the Washington State Ferry from Seattle to Bremerton on August 14, 2012, 3-10 p.m. Participants will have free Boingo wi-fi on the ferry and then spend about five hours at the Kitsap Conference Center working on apps. The registration fee is $35 for professionals and $15 for students and includes the ferry ride for those who need it and dinner. Please register at www.evergreenapps.org/events.
- Spokane is the site of the third event on August 22, 2012, at Riverpoint Academy, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Developers will hear from ESRI and Socrata. Tickets include a light dinner. Registration is available at www.evergreenapps.org/events.
The Evergreen Apps Challenge closes September 6, 2012, and awards will be presented on October 1 in Seattle.