Upland, the web3 metaverse game known for its real-world location-based experiences, has opened applications for its Genesis 2024 Hackathon contest, offering exciting opportunities for participating teams. With a focus on innovation and community growth, the event promises cash prizes, a chance to pitch for inclusion in Upland's Sparklet Grant Program, and more.

In this article, you will learn all about Upland's Genesis 2024 Hackathon, how to win exclusive cash prizes, pitch for the Sparklet Grant, and showcase your creativity - submissions close by Friday, May 10th, 9 am PT.

Presentation and Pitch

Participants will be asked to leverage the Upland platform and developer tools to design a new offering — be it a service, game, or experience — that will entice existing communities to join and actively engage with Upland.

Teams will be given 10 days to craft a compelling business plan outlining goals and strategies to achieve them. The more detailed and polished, the higher your chances of getting selected. Keep in mind, that this submission is not your final presentation. If chosen as a finalist, you will be asked to submit a presentation for the final pitch round.

The finalists will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• Team: Introduce your team and its strengths.
• Solution Overview: Present your concept and unique value proposition.
• Specification for the MVP: Describe the minimum viable product (MVP) and how it meets the challenge.
• Utilization of Existing Dev API for MVP: Show how you’ll use Upland’s developer tools for your project.
• (Optional) Conceptual Utilization of Future API: Explore future integrations and Sparklet staking for developers’ projects and Metamask asset querying (More information coming soon). If you envision API features that do not exist today and could benefit your project, suggest them as additions.
• Go to Market Plan: Explain your plan for introducing your offering to the market and capturing the interest of your target audience.
• Visualization: Provide a visual representation of your project, which can include a short trailer, UI concepts, timeline, or other relevant materials.

Submissions Close: Friday, May 10th, 9 AM PT.

Finalists Informed: Monday, May 13th, 2024

*All entries must be submitted in PDF format. Finalists will be required to submit a separate Canva presentation.

Cash Prizes and Rewards

The contest is divided into three phases, each offering rewards for successful participants. In the first and second phases, the top two teams will receive cash prizes, with the first-placed team in each phase taking home $2,500 and $15,000 respectively. Additionally, the second-placed teams will receive $1,000 and $7,500 accordingly.

To qualify for the MVP Deployment Bonus in the second phase, teams must integrate a minimum viable product (MVP) into the Upland platform within the specified timeframe. Successful teams will then advance to the third and final phase, where finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the Upland team in person in Las Vegas.

Upland will cover travel expenses for one team member, offering up to $500 for domestic travel within the USA and $1,000 for international travel. The event emphasizes diversity and innovation, with no working prototype required for submission. Instead, teams are encouraged to focus on presenting a compelling business plan outlining their goals, strategies, and go-to-market plans.

Submissions and Awards

The business plan should introduce team members, present the concept and unique value proposition, describe the MVP, and demonstrate how Upland's developer tools will be utilized. All entries must be submitted in PDF format, with finalists required to present a separate Canva presentation.

Submissions for the Genesis 2024 Hackathon close on May 10th at 9:00 AM PT, with finalists set to be announced on May 13th, 2024. A panel of judges will evaluate each presentation, with the winning team to be revealed at the Upland Awards Show on June 7th.

More About Upland?

Upland is the web3 metaverse platform known for its innovative approach to digital land acquisition based on real-world locations. The team recently ran a unique play-to-earn airdrop campaign called Share and Build. This announcement preceded the much-anticipated Spark to Sparklet bridging event, set to broaden the utility of the Spark token within the platform.

Commenting on the news, Dirk Lueth Co-Founder of Upland said: “We’re excited to launch the “Share and Build” Airdrop program as we are getting ready for Sparklet. This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering a thriving web3 ecosystem and rewarding passionate players.”

Tokenomics and Economy 

At present, the in-game token facilitates the acquisition of digital land parcels and in-game assets within the Upland ecosystem. However, with the upcoming bridging event, users will gain access to the in-game token, enabling trade across external platforms and expanding the token's potential applications.

Since its inception two years ago, the token has garnered a substantial user base, boasting over 130,000 holders. Upland reports a significant milestone with nearly 300,000 virtual landowners and interaction with over 3 million wallets on its platform.

Details of Airdrop Event

The first phase of the Share and Build Airdrop initiative was called Social Engagement Rewards.  Over a three-week duration, participants accrued points through a tiered model by engaging with Upland on social media platforms. These accumulated points were subsequently converted into in-game tokens within the Upland ecosystem. The earning potential of users will be contingent upon the level of engagement generated by their Upland-related content on socials.

Participants received a distinctive Block Explorer NFT upon the completion of each successive chapter of the program. These NFTs serve as collectible game pieces within the Upland universe, with the accumulation of five Chapter Block Explorers granting access to an exclusive NFT unique to the Upland ecosystem.

Over $25 Million Funds

Upland recently secured $7 million in funding to bolster its expansion efforts. Upland, which initially gained recognition for its virtual real estate game, is now honing its focus on becoming a web3 "Metaverse Super App”.

The funding round included participation from EOS Network Ventures, alongside established supporters like C3 Venture Capital, Animoca Brands, and angel investors. This brings Upland's total funding to an impressive $25 million, signifying growing confidence in the project's potential.

Upland's mobile platform offers a range of activities for both players and creators, including virtual property trading, world-building, collecting, and engaging competitions. The platform also empowers entrepreneurs by allowing them to operate their own shops, contributing to a thriving digital economy driven by UPX, the native currency of Upland, and Spark, the utility token that facilitates value creation within the community.

Final Thoughts

Upland's Hackathon event underscores its commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and community engagement within its platform. With exciting prizes and opportunities for aspiring developers and creators, the Genesis 2024 Hackathon promises to be a thrilling event for participants and spectators alike.