About the Hackathon

Who Should Attend?
The BROTHER MOBILE APP HACKATHON (the “Contest”) is designed to encourage programmers to submit software apps that integrate with a Brother QL Label Printer, P-touch label maker, a PocketJet series printer, a RuggedJet series printer/labeler, a TD series printer/labeler, or a Full size printer/scanner (“Brother Device”). Each person or team will need to build an application that utilizes a Brother Device to print labels, receipts or full-page outputs (invoices, logs, contracts, etc.) as part of the application. Judged by key influencers within the industry, the Contest seeks to identify talented programmers from across the U.S. The prizes will be awarded to the best entries submitted. Winning submissions will be as determined by the Judges (defined below) in accordance with the Judging Criteria below and these Official Rules and are subject to verification.

What Should We Do?
An iOS or Android coder can spend as little as 30 minutes downloading the SDK and printing your first label within minutes. This year we also added support for Flutter developers. Together you will try to complete the mobile app as much as possible using any one of the Brother's printers. There are lots of things you can do. The best part is that you can start now. But why wait? Please visit the FAQ below to download SDK instruction, sample code tutorials (Objective-C, Swift, Android, Flutter, Cordova), and reading the optional reference guide. Check out our meetup group for all the workshops.

How to Register?
Click here to get your free Eventbrite ticket!.

What are the Prizes?
There are a total of 6 prizes provided by Brother: 1. Platinum Award ($5000), 2. Gold Award ($1000), 3. Silver Award ($500), 4. Vertical Awards (Brother VC500W: Retail, Healthcare, Education), 5. Mini-Hackathons (cash prizes and signup bonuses will be announced in the workshops). All prizes are per team.

Contact Us

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Agenda

Our two-day virtual hackathon will be jam-packed with fun activities and coding workshops! At the first night of the event, each team will be given a 3-minute introduction via Zoom Video Conferencing. Teams will get together to prepare the presentation. Participants are welcome to continue their projects with overnight virtual hackathon with one-on-one support from Brother engineers. On Saturday, teams will complete the apps. Each team will shoot a 3-minute video, and upload it to Youtube. There will be several panel discussions, including multiple virtual rooms to assist participants with coding, design, and video production. Winners will be announced at 7PM, with award ceremony and a raffle of many great prizes.

  • 5.00 PM

    Online Check-in

  • 6.00 PM

    Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching

  • 7.00 PM

    Welcome and Introduction

  • 7.30 PM

    Team Introduction

  • 9.00 PM (overnight available)

    Team Collaboration. Overnight Continuous Hacking.

  • 09.00 AM

    Online Check-In

  • 09.30 AM (optional)

    One-on-One Support Virtual Rooms

  • 10.00 AM (optional)

    Submission Support All Hands

  • 2.00 PM

    Video Submission Due

  • 3.00 PM

    Live Viewing Presentation Judging

  • 5:00 PM

    Mini-Hackathon Winners Live Viewing

  • 6:30 PM

    Raffle, Feedback and Survey

  • 7:30 PM

    Winner Announcement, Q&A, Award Ceremony

Judges & Speakers

Bob Brady

Sr. Product Manager, QL Label Printers, Brother International Corp. Judge

Ronak Patel

Technical Marketing Specialist, QL Label Printers, Brother International Corp. Judge

Tom Sickles

Manager, Solution Support & QA, Printers & Scanners, Brother International Corp. Judge

Berard McLaughlin

Manager, Application Development,Printers & Scanners, Brother International Corp. Judge

Greg O’Connell

Vice President of Sales, Brother Mobile Solutions Inc.

Dan Anderson

Celebrity Judge, the Voice behind Dad Logic, a Seattle-based tech blog.

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terms and conditions

Our Sponsor

Brother is a leading provider of office equipment technology and document management solutions, including award-winning color and black and white multifunctional printers, scanners, label printers and device-based cloud and mobile technologies. The Brother P-touch line of features label and ribbon printers that feature laminated and specialty tapes along with printable ribbons. Brother printers are recognized as the best in the industry, and consistently earn product and industry accolades including PC Magazine’s 2017 Readers’ Choice and Business Choice awards for reliability and overall customer satisfaction. Brother International Corporation’s At Your Side philosophy demonstrates a dedication to product quality, customer service and dynamic partnerships. Established in 1954 and headquartered in Bridgewater, N.J., Brother markets business, home office and industrial products, along with home appliances. For more information, visit www.brother-usa.com.


Brother Mobile Solutions is a division of the multinational Brother Group of companies, and is headquartered in Westminster, CO. We offer a wide range of mobile printing and mobile/desktop labeling solutions to improve performance and efficiency across multiple industries. With custom engineering, cutting-edge technology, and expert support, Brother Mobile Solutions delivers the latest thermal printing technology and trusted, reliable designs to suit virtually any market need, helping equip businesses with superior printing mobility for the modern world. For more information, visit www.BrotherMobileSolutions.com.

FAQ

Hackathon Frequently Asked Questions

We will update this FAQ for all questions submitted to us. Feel free to use the contact information here, or via the meetup messaging.

Is it just a printer that prints labels?

This is the most frequently asked questions. The QL printers print on a variety of labels and films. It also prints on non-sticky heavy-weight paper, such as tickets, coupons, etc. The RJ and PJ printers print on thermal papers from 2" to full letter or legal sizes. They all require no ink. They are professional grade printers designed to last for a long time and will work under some extreme environments. We want you to explore their endless possibilities.

Where can I download the SDKs?

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND TO DOWNLOAD SDK. When filling out information, please enter "BROTHER HACKATHON 2021" under Company Name. Proceed to download the SDK after the registration. For Android developers, we will provide you with a beta SDK, or you can use the current SDK.

Are there any code samples?

Yes, the SDK includes a fully functional sample app for Objective-C, Swift, and Android. It should take you no more than 30 minutes to have your sample code running and have your first beautiful label printed. CLICK HERE TO READ THE BROTHER HACKATHON 2021 UNOFFICIAL SDK GUIDE.

Can I participate as an individual without teammates?

Yes of course. Coders who wish to work alone can participate as an individual. We also welcome industry executives who wish to challenge coders and designers with any problems they wish to solve.

Where can I get some app ideas on how to use these printers?

Click here to view our Big Idea Book. Brother Hackathon organizers have put together this reference guide for everyone. It contains lots of information on the verticals and the horizontals. Verticals include all U.S. 20 sectors, from Agriculture to Public Administration. It also includes product information, success stories, links to Brother's websites, and additional resources. Enjoy!

What are the available Brother printers?

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BROTHER HACKATHON 2021 Product Catalog. If you sign up before May 10th, you are guaranteed to receive a Brother QL-820NWB printer and supplies or a Brother QL-1110NWB. You can pick an alternate printer if your app requires it. We will begin shipping the printers to you on March 24th. If your app requires more than one printer, please contact the organizer.

Where can I get support for questions on the SDKs?

Please email SDKSupport@brother.com. Brother usually responds within a business day. You may also contact the organizer from here, or via the meetup site. We normally respond within 2 business hours.

Can we use Xamarin?

Yes, of course. Here is a link to a sample Xamarin iOS binding with Brother SDK. CLICK HERE. For more information, contact us.

Can we use React Native?

Yes, of course. Here is a link to an instruction by a developer who had successfully done so. CLICK HERE. There are a lot of information available online to show you how to import third-party native SDKs into React Native. Feel free to contact us for more information.

(New) Can we use Flutter?

We welcome Flutter developers. We encourage cross-platform development. You are free to use the Github by Sri for a working iOS and Android app. CLICK HERE

Do I need to buy anything?

Not a single penny. We will provide a QL-820NWB label printer for each registered team. You may keep the equipment if you attend and complete the hackathon.

Is there a "theme" for this hackathon?

The theme is "Mobile App Printing Innovations." Do you know that there are 1000 plus industries in the U.S.? Every one of them can be an opportunity and a niche market. Be creative, be courageous, and please spend a few minutes read the hackathon rules.

What are the judging criteria? How can we be assured with the fairness of the judging?

The judging criteria are clearly defined inside the hackathon rules. All judges are from Brother International Corp., None Brother's employees or family members are eligible to participate in the competition.

How easy is to sign up the hackathon?

Super easy! Official sign up is available on February 15th, 2021. Feel free to contact us if you wish to learn more.

Does the SDK support Android apps?

Yes it sure does. We welcome Android, iOS, Flutter developers to participate in this hackathon. There are lots of information on Brother's website for Android developers. If you wish to help other developers, please reach out to us and we will set up a hotline for you.

Where and when can we pick up the printer and supplies to test my app?

We will ship to you via USPS Priority Mail.

Can we really keep the printer? What is the catch?

Yes, you certainly can. There is no catch. Obviously you must attend the hackathon and compete.

I need a partner to complete my app idea, how do I find one?

You can participate as an individual. You can find your coding and design partners from your network of people. There are lots of iOS and Android meetup groups in the U.S.

This is my first hackathon. Can I know more about this Brother Hackathon?

Hackathon is a lot of fun. More than 90% of hackathon first-time attendees return again and again. Brother Hackathon is many times better because you get free hardware, you can start early, you get lots of support via workshops, and you can ask questions anytime. The judging criteria is clearly defined under the rules and terms and conditions link from this website.

Can students participate in your hackathon?

Students are always welcome. We normally have 2 or 3 teams from colleges or coding schools. Keep in mind that you should possess the basic coding skills in either iOS or Android platform. Most of our student teams from the past worked extra hard and they did win some of the top prizes. Many of them are getting internship jobs quickly because of the experience. So, why not?

I have a great idea, can I form a team at the hackathon event?

Brother Hackathon is unique because each team is being treated like a VIP start-up. We support teams from idea inception to the completion of the project. With that said, team formation is done prior to the event. Please read the terms and conditions of our hackathon. You are welcome of course, to join any of our pre-hackathon events, which we have at least 2 per months. You can meet other developers, designers and pitch your idea. Again, at the event, only those who already have a team can participate. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We really appreciate your interest.

I am not from the U.S, can I still sign up for Brother Hackathon?

Unfortunately only U.S. residents can compete at our 2021 Brother Hackathon. Please read the hackathon's terms and conditions.