Software Development

GMU and Blue Compass Strategies are hosting a virtual hackathon to combat human trafficking

Scheduled for March 28 to 29, the #ExpeditionHacks event is calling on developers to create tech solutions to combat human trafficking or assist its victims.

Are you ready to hackathon? (Photo by Pixabay user TheDigitalWay, used under a Creative Commons license)

As a part of its #ExpeditionHacks series, Dupont Circle-based Blue Compass Strategies is hosting a virtual hackathon to combat human trafficking from March 28 to 29.

The tech strategy firm teamed up with George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) to host this second hackathon together. GMU was originally slated to host the hackathon at its campus in Arlington, Virginia, but due to the spread of COVID-19, the pair decided to move the event fully online.

The event welcomes developers, designers and entrepreneurs to create tech solutions to either combat human trafficking or assist its victims using artificial intelligence, virtual reality, machine learning and more. You can register to participate with the purchase of a $10 ticket.

There will be a maximum of five people allowed per team and all code used in the competition must be fresh. The winning team will receive $3,000 and a one-hour mentoring session with C5 Accelerate and the best student team will receive $1,000. Other prizes for first-time hackers will be announced.

To make sure the virtual experience meets the expectations of an in-person hackathon, the organizers of the event will be promoting the use of WebEx for presentations from experts and Slack for consistent online communication between teams and hackers, and swag bags will be mailed directly to participants.

Blue Compass Strategies and GMU’s TraCCC first teamed up back in April 2018 to host a hackathon centered on human trafficking. This first challenge was focused on finding ways to combat human trafficking by integrating technology with advocacy:

Blue Compass Strategies and GMU are still updating the event’s web page with sponsors and judges so continue to check back for more information if you are interested in participating.

Companies: George Mason University

Before you go...

Please consider supporting Technical.ly to keep our independent journalism strong. Unlike most business-focused media outlets, we don’t have a paywall. Instead, we count on your personal and organizational support.

3 ways to support our work:
  • Contribute to the Journalism Fund. Charitable giving ensures our information remains free and accessible for residents to discover workforce programs and entrepreneurship pathways. This includes philanthropic grants and individual tax-deductible donations from readers like you.
  • Use our Preferred Partners. Our directory of vetted providers offers high-quality recommendations for services our readers need, and each referral supports our journalism.
  • Use our services. If you need entrepreneurs and tech leaders to buy your services, are seeking technologists to hire or want more professionals to know about your ecosystem, Technical.ly has the biggest and most engaged audience in the mid-Atlantic. We help companies tell their stories and answer big questions to meet and serve our community.
The journalism fund Preferred partners Our services
Engagement

Join our growing Slack community

Join 5,000 tech professionals and entrepreneurs in our community Slack today!

Trending

Top tech stories of 2024: How AI, cyber and community made DC innovation sing 

What actually is the 'creator economy'? Here's why we should care

Skills, not schools: A new path for government tech

This veteran helping Marylanders upskill says you shouldn’t fear less traditional pathways

Technically Media