Hackathon rules

1. Ownership of Work

All participants retain full ownership of any software, hardware, designs, documentation, or other materials ("Project") created during the hackathon, unless explicitly stated in writing.

2. License to Organizers

By participating, each team grants the hackathon organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

• • Display, demo, and evaluate the Project for judging and event operations; and
• • Publicize the Project (e.g., screenshots, descriptions, non-confidential code snippets, and recordings of demos or presentations) on websites, social channels, press releases, recap videos, and other promotional materials related to this hackathon or future NM Tech Talks, LLC events.

This license does not transfer ownership of the Project and does not prevent participants from further developing, commercializing, or licensing their work elsewhere.

3. Participation requirements

a. Team size

Teams can be a maximum team size of 5 participants. Participants are also allowed to join as an individual without a team.

b. Team matching

Participants are allowed to form their own teams. If participants designate they want a team, but don't have one upon arrival, the Organizer is given permission to match them to a team of its choice. This matching will consider the responses in the participant submission form.

c. Hybrid option

Teams are allowed to participate semi-remotely, as long as a minimum of one team member is physically present at the hackathon. All teams must have at least one presenter physically present at the demo in order to receive prize funds.

4. Relational Community Agreement

By participating in the hackathon, Participants commit to other Participants and event attendees to provide a space that is safe, supported, open, productive and trusting. This clause is explicitly developed and enforced by the group, not by an external authority, and as such must represent a consensus. Rules of engagement must be aligned with the NM Tech Talks core values, including:

In the event of a disagreement, Participants agree to work toward an agreement, resolve, or consensus before notifying Organizers of any issues. If a solution cannot be reached, Participants may be asked to withdraw participation from the event.

5. Third-Party Content & Tools

If a Project incorporates third-party libraries, APIs, datasets, or tools, participants are responsible for ensuring they have the right to use them. All usage must comply with the relevant licenses and terms of service.

6. Future Use

Participants are free to:

• • Continue developing their Project after the event.
• • Open source the code under any license they choose.
• • Pursue commercialization, investment, or partnerships using their Project.

7. No Assignment, No Employment

Participation does not create an employment relationship, joint venture, work-for-hire, or any obligation to assign IP to the Organizer or sponsors.

8. Representations & Warranties

Participants represent that their Projects and submissions:

• • Do not infringe the rights (including IP and privacy rights) of any third party; and
• • Comply with laws and applicable third-party terms.

9. Respect for Others' Work

Plagiarism, misappropriation, or unauthorized use of another team's work is prohibited and may result in disqualification.

10. Media & Likeness

Participants consent to the recording of the event (photo, audio, video) and grant the Organizer the right to use their name, likeness, and voice in connection with the promotional uses described in Section 2, without additional compensation.

11. Determination of Winners & Prizes

DETERMINATION OF WINNER(S)

There will be 3 winning teams for the Project. An NM Tech Talks-determined panel of judges will choose the winning participant(s) during the hackathon event. The vote of each judge will be at its sole discretion, with a view to determining the best technical and useful submissions. Factors that a judge may take into account the following criteria: creativity, usefulness, relevance to category, quality of written and video explanation and visual presentation, and thoroughness. However, a judge may take all or none of these criteria into account, and may choose to take additional criteria into account in its sole discretion. Judges may provide explanations for their votes, but they have no obligation to do so, and no explanation shall be used to undermine the voting choices of any judge. In the event of a tie, the NM Tech Talks Co-Founders present will re-judge the entries with the same methodology set forth above and make a selection.

PRIZES

The prizes for the winning entries are:

• 1st (Grand prize): $500 USD
• 2nd Place: $250 USD
• 3rd Place: $100 USD

Prizes will be awarded to the team in the form of a check from the Organizer, or Organizer sponsored partner.

Disbursement of funds amongst the team for Project is at the sole discretion of the team. The Organizer is not responsible for individual disbursement or separation of funds for the convenience of the team.

Taxes may be incurred by the winner. Each individual is responsible for all taxes with respect to the prizes.

Project prizes are awarded "as is" and are non-refundable and non-transferable.

12. Confidential Information

Participants should not disclose confidential information in their Projects or demos. The Organizer has no duty of confidentiality regarding materials presented at or submitted to the event.