$100,000 Killer App Challenge

Register

Project Overview

Ribbit was created with the understanding that the next generation of great communication solutions would be created, not by us, and not by a traditional phone company?but by you, the Flash and Flex Developers. The Ribbit Voice Platform gives you, the most creative developers in the world, the ability to add rich communication features into your Flash and Flex projects by giving you direct access to the world's first global, programmable phone company. We're challenging you to help build the next generation phone company?by creating the next Ribbit Killer Application.

You win no matter what. These are your inventions, your applications. We don't own them, you do. Even if you are not selected as an official contest winner, you're free to bring your solutions to your customers or marketplace and directly profit from your creativity.

What Can I Build? Anything you want! We will be awarding grand prizes in the following categories:

  • Business and Productivity - Push business apps even further by bringing voice and rich communication features into the application workflow. (Category Details)
  • Carrier and Network Integration - Show us the most innovative integration to an existing cable, carrier or mobile network. (Category Details)
  • Media, Advertising and Entertainment - To win this category you need to captivate an audience and add unprecedented interactive value. (Category Details)
  • Social Networking and Communication - Give us a Web 3.0 preview with the best example of connecting people via open telephony. (Category Details)
  • Wildcard - Blow us away by improving the usability of any device or interface (from vending machines to ticket kiosks to gaming devices). (Category Details)


How to Register

Participation in the Ribbit Killer App Challenge is completely FREE! Just follow the simple steps below and you'll be on your way to possibly claiming some of our $100,000 in prize money! Here's a quick overview:

  1. Register for a developer id at ribbit.com.
  2. Sign up to become a Topcoder member
    The Killer App Challenge is run using TopCoder's patented competition engine and administered by TopCoder's professional competition staff. TopCoder members are a worldwide community of programmers who compete in algorithm and development contests for prize money. Become a member now to compete in this challenge and other TopCoder contests! If you are already a TopCoder member, go to step 3. Sign up at TopCoder >>
  3. Register for the Ribbit Killer App Challenge now!
    Once you are a TopCoder member, all you have to do is register for the Ribbit Killer App Challenge! Register now to participate in this contest! Contest registration >>
  4. Submit your application
    Once your app is live, submit it to the contest. You will need to submit a zip file to TopCoder which includes 2 items:

    Submit early to be eligible for Check Point Awards. Check Point winners will gain first hand feedback for improving and enhancing submissions — increasing your chances of creating the ultimate Killer App and winning the Grand Prize.

How to Submit

The requirements for submission may vary depending on the Killer App category, so please be sure you check out your specific category info page before submitting.

Once your app is live, submit it to the contest.

You will need to submit a zip file to TopCoder which includes 2 items:

  1. A text document containing:
    • Your TopCoder handle name
    • Your unique Ribbit Developer ID
    • The Ribbit AppID (assigned when you create a project for the contest)
    • A title and brief overview of the application to be used as an online description
    • The Killer App Category to which you are submitting
    • Most importantly, a link to the URL where the application can be viewed/downloaded
  2. An image file (jpg, or png) containing a screengrab or graphic representation of your application (no larger than 300x300 pixels)

Note: for Carrier, Network, or ISP Integration and Wildcard Category Submissions, please include a URL where the application or prototype can be viewed/downloaded, or wireframes/drawings/video simulations (25MB limit) that fully illustrate the core functionality and UI.

Payment

Five, $15,000 Grand Prizes will be awarded to the Killer Apps that best utilize the Ribbit platform to captivate, innovate, and have the best overall market potential in each category. From the five category winners, one will be selected as overall winner and receive an additional $15,000 for a total of $30,000. Plus, we'll be awarding $10,000 in prizes to early submitters at three checkpoints along the way. We can't wait to see what develops!



Eligibility

You must be a TopCoder KillerApps member, at least 18 years of age, meeting all of the membership requirements. In addition, you must fit into one of the following categories.

If you reside in the United States, you must be either:

  • A US Citizen
  • A Lawful Permanent Resident of the US
  • A temporary resident, asylee, refugee of the U.S., or have a lawfully issued work authorization card permitting unrestricted employment in the U.S.

If you do not reside in the United States:

  • You must be authorized to perform services as an independent contractor. (Note: In most cases you will not need to do anything to become authorized)


Timeline

Submissions must be received by 11:59PM EDT on March 12, 2009.