BigCommerce X Google BigAI Hackathon: Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. CONTEST IS OPEN GLOBALLY EXCEPT TO RESIDENTS OF ITALY, BRAZIL, QUEBEC (CANADA), CRIMEA, CUBA, IRAN, SYRIA, NORTH KOREA, AFGHANISTAN, EGYPT, HAITI, IRAQ, LEBANON, MALAYSIA, PAKISTAN, RUSSIA, SOMALIA, SUDAN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, TUNISIA, VENEZUELA, YEMEN.
ENTRY IN THIS CONTEST CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES.
The BigCommerce X Google BigAI Hackathon (the “Contest”) is a virtual hackathon to use the BigCommerce platform & Google AI products to build solutions, enhance existing products, or something in between. Submissions will require that you follow all of the requirements and the instructions on the Contest Site (as defined herein), including without limitation the submission of a GitHub repo that was not initiated prior to August 7th at 10:00am Central Daylight Time (a “Contest Submission''). The contest consists of a coding challenge explained in more detail below.
The application/software/code/project that you develop and submit will be evaluated by judges who will choose the winner(s) in accordance with these Official Rules. The prize(s) will be awarded to entrant(s) selected by the Judges.
Event Description: Using Generative AI in Google Cloud along with the BigCommerce platform, develop an AI-driven solution that enhances the customer experience, efficiency, personalization, and/or profitability for BigCommerce merchants.
About the hackathon
In the BigCommerce x Google BigAI Hackathon, you’ll explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and ecommerce to design and build an innovative AI solution for the BigCommerce ecosystem that’s powered by Google’s AI solutions. The goal is to improve the ecommerce experience for BigCommerce merchants and/or shoppers with Google’s AI solutions in a unique way!
- BINDING AGREEMENT: In order to enter the Contest, you must agree to these Official Rules (“Rules”). Therefore, please read these Rules prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree. You agree that registering for the Contest or submitting an entry in the Contest constitutes agreement to these Rules. You may not submit an entry to the Contest and are not eligible to receive the prizes described in these Rules unless you agree to these Rules. These Rules form a binding legal agreement between you and BigCommerce with respect to the Contest.
- ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to enter the Contest, you must be: (1) 18 years of age or older; (2) have access to the Internet as of the contest period, and (3) not be a resident of nor located in Italy, Brazil, Quebec (Canada), Crimea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Afghanistan, Egypt, Haiti, Iraq, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Venezuela, Yemen, or any other country currently subject to United States embargo. Contest is void where prohibited by law.
Employees, interns, contractors, and official office-holders of BigCommerce, and/or invited Judges and their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, advertising and promotion agencies, representatives, and agents (“Contest Entities”), and members of the Contest Entities’ and their immediate families (parents, siblings, children, spouses, and life partners of each, regardless of where they live) and members of the households (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors are ineligible to participate in this Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility and to adjudicate on any dispute at any time.
If you are entering as part of a company or on behalf of your employer, these rules are binding on you, individually, and/or your employer. If you are acting within the scope of your employment, as an employee, contractor, or agent of another party, you warrant that such party has full knowledge of your actions and has consented thereto, including your potential receipt of a prize.
You further warrant that your actions do not violate your employer’s or company’s policies and procedures.
- SPONSOR: The Contest is sponsored by BigCommerce, Inc. (“BigCommerce” or “Sponsor”), a Texas corporation with principal place of business at 11305 Four Points Drive, Building II Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78726, USA. Sponsor’s decisions concerning the Official Rules or any other matter relating to the Hackathon are final and binding.
- CONTEST PERIOD: The Contest begins at 10:00 am Central Daylight Time (CDT) on August 7, 2023 and ends at 11:59 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT) on August 16, 2023 (“Contest Period”).
- HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. To enter the Contest, visit the Contest website located at https://developer.bigcommerce.com/bigai-hackathon (opens in a new tab) (“Contest Site”) and complete registration during the Contest Period and follow the instructions for developing, building and deploying apps on the BigCommerce services. The Contest Submission must, at a minimum, support English language use.
LIMIT ONE (1) ENTRY PER PERSON. Each Participant must register individually. Participants can join/form teams but no participant can be on more than one team. No team or individual can submit more than one project submission. Participants must provide the information requested on the Contest Site and the registration page. This information is required for the completion of the registration. Subsequent entries will be disqualified. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT) on August 16, 2023. Entries are void if they are in whole or part illegible, incomplete, damaged, altered, counterfeit, obtained through fraud, or late. All entries will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry, and the potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder for that email address. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned to an email address by an Internet service provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email address for the domain. During the Contest Period, the Sponsor, its agents and/or the Judges (defined below) will be evaluating each Contest Submission to ensure that it meets the Requirements. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant who submits a Contest Submission that does not meet the Requirements.
- JUDGING: Each entry will be judged by a panel of experts who are employees of Sponsor (“Judges”). On or about August 16, 2023 thru August 23, 2023, each Contest Submission will be evaluated by the Judges based on the criteria provided on the Contest Site. Judges will evaluate and attribute a score to each Contest Submission made up of scores based upon the criteria provided on the Contest Site and hackpack. In the event a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, the Contest Submission that received the next highest total score will be chosen as the potential winner. On or about August 23rd, 2023, the potential winner(s) will be selected and notified by telephone and/or email, at Sponsor’s discretion. If a potential winner does not respond to the notification attempt within 3 business days from the first notification attempt, then such potential winner will be disqualified and an alternate potential winner will be selected from among all eligible entries received based on the judging criteria described herein. If required, potential winners must return all such required documents within 5 business days following attempted notification or such potential winner will be deemed to have forfeited the prize and another potential winner will be selected based on the judging criteria described herein. All notification requirements, as well as other requirements within these Rules, will be strictly enforced. In the event that no entries are received, no prize will be awarded. Determinations of judges are final and binding.
- PRIZES: Competition Total Prize Pool: $6,000 USD which will be distributed in the following manner:
| Award | Award Description | AppSubmission Benefit | Rev Share Benefit (net new apps) | Voucher Prize* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcomAI Excellence Award | Celebrating excellence in leveraging Google’s AI solutions to enhance BigCommerce merchant experiences, optimizes operations, and drive remarkable growth in the ecommerce industry. | $0 app submission | 6 months no rev share for net new apps from this event. | $3000 |
| Innovator’s Choice Award | Chosen by fellow innovators, this award honors this team for making the most significant impact on AI-driven e-commerce through their inspiring solutions and transformative ideas. | $0 app submission | 6 months no rev share for net new apps from this event. | $2000 |
| AI-Commerce Disruptor Award | Recognizing the disruptors who have challenged traditional e-commerce patterns and adopting AI to revolutionize industry norms or to unlock new opportunities. | $0 app submission | 6 months no rev share for net new apps from this event | $1000 |
| Outstanding Achievement Award | Acknowledging the remarkable accomplishments this team has created through AI integration into the BigCommerce platform, setting new benchmarks for success. | $0 app submission | 6 months no rev share for net new apps from this event. | Non-monetary award. |
Codes will be emailed to individuals on each winning team to access their share of the split total ‘Voucher Prize.’ Winners can expect voucher codes to be emailed by August 30th, which is 2 weeks after close out. Prizes available range from physical items, to gift cards. The platform we’re utilizing supports international gifting. Once voucher codes are received, we encourage winners to redeem prizes within 10 days.
- PRIZE DISTRIBUTION AND TAXES: Prizes will be distributed by the Sponsor to eligible winners within approximately 120 days of the official prize winners announcement. Prize amount will be equally distributed among team members. BigCommerce will notify the selected winners via email within 10 business days of the official announcement. Winners are required to provide their full legal name, email address, mailing address, phone number, and relevant payment information to the Sponsor within 14 days of initial attempted notification. The winners may also be required to complete an income tax form, or provide other relevant documents as requested by the Sponsor. The winners may be disqualified and forfeit the prize if (1) any of the required payment information or documentation provided by the winners is unusable (illegible, incomplete, or erroneous); (2) the winners fails to provide the requested documentation or comply with the applicable tax laws and filing requirements; (3) a winner is ineligible to receive the prize under United States or local law. The Sponsor cannot be held liable for loss of prize due to error in routing (electronic or by mail), ineligibility to receive the prize, or inability to contact the winner(s). The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value where permissible under law. All taxes and fees are the sole responsibility of the winners, as well as loss to profit of prize due to incurred distribution fees or currency exchange. Winners will adhere to the income tax rules and regulations as outlined by the IRS and the United States Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.
- GENERAL CONDITIONS: All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. BigCommerce reserves the right to disqualify any entrant from the Contest if, in BigCommerce’s discretion, it reasonably believes that the entrant has attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices or annoys, abuses, threatens or harasses any other entrants, Sponsor or the Judges.
- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Licensed Rights To Contest Submissions: Participants will retain ownership of any intellectual property rights in their Contest Submissions, except to the extent of any Sponsor Content (defined below), including, without limitation, Sponsor technologies, materials, content, ideas or intellectual property rights are embodied or incorporated therein. During the Contest, the participants shall only use elements, content and materials, which are clear of any intellectual property or other third party rights. By entering, each participant acknowledges and expressly agrees that their Entry may be promoted by the Sponsor on its website and/or in various media (including via paper, data and digital media) at the Sponsor’s discretion.
Waiver of Contest Submission Claims: Each participant acknowledges that Contest Submissions are not being submitted in confidence or in trust to Sponsor and that no confidential or fiduciary relationship is intended or created. Each participant acknowledges that Sponsor and other participants may have created ideas and concepts contained in their Contest Submissions that may have familiarities or similarities to his/her own Contest Submission, and that he/she will not be entitled to any compensation or right to negotiate with the Contest Entities because of these familiarities or similarities. Notwithstanding any custom and practice in the industry to pay an individual for an idea (if any), nothing herein shall create an implied or express contract to compensate participants for their Contest Submission and there is no obligation for any Contest Entity to pay or otherwise compensate participants for any of their ideas or materials in any communications with Sponsor, whatsoever. By entering the Contest, participants acknowledge that Sponsor may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to participant Contest Submissions and participants waive any claims resulting from any similarities to a Contest Submission incorporated in commercial products/services of Sponsor. Contest Submissions are not confidential and the Contest Entities’ only obligations to participants regarding Contest Submissions are to award the prizes to the winning Contest Submissions. The participant acknowledges and agrees that Sponsor has a strong reputation for innovation, may be working on similar ideas independently whether now or in the future and no participant will receive any compensation or credit for use of similar or the same ideas presented in Contest Submissions and independently developed by Sponsor in Sponsor products or services.
Sponsor reserves the right to request from participants at any time proof that participant maintains all necessary rights in their Contest Submission in order to grant Sponsor the rights required herein in a form acceptable to Sponsor. Failure to provide such proof may lead to, among other things, the participant being disqualified from the Contest.
Limited License from Sponsor to Participants To Use Sponsor Content: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the participant shall not acquire any full or partial right of any kind to the name, trademark or other intellectual property owned or controlled by Sponsor. As participants may include ideas, materials or content provided by Sponsor for inclusion in Contest Submissions (collectively, “Sponsor Content”), Sponsor grants each participant a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non- sublicensable, revocable, limited right and license solely to use the Sponsor Content in connection with the development and submission of their Contest Submission to the Contest. Participant acknowledges that as between Sponsor and participant, Sponsor is the owner of all right, title and interest in and to all copyrights, trademarks, trade-dress and other rights associated with its name, intellectual property, its services, products and product designs; and the goodwill pertaining to all of the foregoing.
- PRIVACY: Entrant acknowledges and agrees that BigCommerce may collect, store, share and otherwise use personally identifiable information provided during the registration process and the contest, including, but not limited to, name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. BigCommerce will use this information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (http://www.bigcommerce.com/privacy (opens in a new tab)), including for administering the contest and verifying entrant’s identity, postal address and telephone number in the event an entry qualifies for a prize.
- SECURITY: Entrant acknowledges and agrees that any Contest Submission shall not undermine or otherwise compromise Sponsor’s information security posture, systems, and procedures. To the extent applicable, any Contest Submission shall comply with Sponsor’s API Terms (https://www.bigcommerce.com/terms/api-terms/ (opens in a new tab)) and Acceptable Use Policy (https://www.bigcommerce.com/terms/acceptable-use-policy/ (opens in a new tab)).
- PUBLICITY. By entering into the Contest, entrant agrees to the Contest Entities’ and their marketing agencies’ use of entrant’s name, image, likeness and/or Contest Submission for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.
- WARRANTY, INDEMNITY AND RELEASE: Entrants warrant that their Contest Submissions are their own original work and, as such, they are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the submitted Contest Submission and that they have the right to submit the Contest Submission in the Contest and grant all required licenses. Each entrant agrees not to submit any Contest Submission that (1) infringes any third party proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, personal or moral rights or any other rights, including without limitation, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, privacy, publicity or confidentiality obligations; or (2) otherwise violates the applicable state or federal law.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, each entrant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any and all claims, actions, suits or proceedings, as well as any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) arising out of or accruing from (a) any Contest Submission or other material uploaded or otherwise provided by the entrant that infringes any copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent or other intellectual property right of any person or defames any person or violates their rights of publicity or privacy, (b) any misrepresentation made by the entrant in connection with the Contest; (c) any non-compliance by the entrant with these Rules; (d) claims brought by persons or entities other than the parties to these Rules arising from or related to the entrant’s involvement with the Contest; and (e) acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any Contest-related activity or participation in this Contest.
Each Entrant releases the Contest Entities from any liability associated with: (a) any malfunction or other problem with the Contest Site; (b) any error in the collection, processing, or retention of entry information; or (c) any typographical or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of any prize or winners.
- ELIMINATION: Any false information provided within the context of the Contest by any entrant concerning identity, mailing address, telephone number, email address, ownership of right or non-compliance with these Rules or the like may result in the immediate elimination of the entrant from the Contest.
- INTERNET: Contest Entities are not responsible for any malfunction of the entire Contest Site or any late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed Contest Submission due to system errors, failed, incomplete or garbled computer or other telecommunication transmission malfunctions, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, typographical or system/human errors and failures, technical malfunction(s) of any telephone network or lines, cable connections, satellite transmissions, servers or providers, or computer equipment, traffic congestion on the Internet or at the Contest Site, or any combination thereof, including other telecommunication, cable, digital or satellite malfunctions which may limit an entrant’s ability to participate.
- RIGHT TO CANCEL, MODIFY OR DISQUALIFY: If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest, BigCommerce reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. BigCommerce further reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who tampers with the submission process or any other part of the Contest or Contest Site. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any web site, including the Contest Site, or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, BigCommerce reserves the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent of the applicable law.
- NOT AN OFFER OR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT: Under no circumstances shall the submission of a Contest Submission into the Contest, the awarding of a prize, or anything in these Rules be construed as an offer or contract of employment with either BigCommerce, or the Contest Entities. You acknowledge that you have submitted your Contest Submission voluntarily and not in confidence or in trust. You acknowledge that no confidential, fiduciary, agency or other relationship or implied-in-fact contract now exists between you and BigCommerce or the Contest Entities and that no such relationship is established by your submission of a Contest Submission under these Rules.
- FORUM AND RECOURSE TO JUDICIAL PROCEDURES: These Rules shall be governed by, subject to, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, United States of America, excluding all conflict of law rules. If any provision(s) of these Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect. To the extent permitted by law, the rights to litigate, seek injunctive relief or make any other recourse to judicial or any other procedure in case of disputes or claims resulting from or in connection with this Contest are hereby excluded, and all entrants expressly waive any and all such rights.
- ARBITRATION: By entering the Contest, you agree that exclusive jurisdiction for any dispute, claim, or demand related in any way to the Contest will be decided by binding arbitration. All disputes between you and BigCommerce of whatsoever kind or nature arising out of these Rules, shall be submitted to Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) for binding arbitration under its rules then in effect in the Austin, Texas, USA area, before one arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by both parties. The parties agree to share equally in the arbitration costs incurred.