Typing biometrics innovators wanted: TypingDNA hackathon offers $110,000 in prizes

TypingDNA is launching a hackathon to explore potential new applications of typing biometrics with $110,000 in total prize value, the company has announced.

Contestants can use the TypingDNA authentication API to implement keystroke-based behavioral biometrics into their own projects. The theme of the hackathon is “no barriers to creativity,” according to a company blog post. The innovation and creativity of each project will be part of the judging criteria, as well user experience, impact on a real-world problem, and technical execution.

Developers planning to enter should build anything functional, like a website or an app, with TypingDNA authentication API calls, and submit the project, along with access to the code repository and a presentation video five minutes or less long. The video should pitch the project and include a demo.

First prize is $5,000 in cash, with $3,000 for second place and $1,500 in cash for third. Special mentions and $100 Amazon vouchers will be awarded for projects judged to have the highest social impact, “wow” factor, business potential, popularity among DevPost users, and popularity among TypingDNA team members. All users submitting eligible projects will receive a TypingDNA Pro License for three months worth $1,000 in API calls, and all winners will be promoted on TypingDNA’s online and social media channels.

A dozen contestants signed up in less than 24 hours after the hackathon’s launch. The deadline is October 31, 2020, and the judging period will conclude on November 15.

Judges will include several technology experts from TypingDNA, including CEO Raul Popa, but also representatives of Twilio, Google and Fidel, and Developer Community Advocate Michelle Sandford.

Biometric multi-factor authentication from TypingDNA was recently implemented by a U.S. retail chain.

Article Topics

authentication  |  behavioral biometrics  |  biometrics  |  identity verification  |  research and development  |  TypingDNA