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

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.