Force.com Cloud Computing Challenge


As more and more startups adopt Force.com’s proven enterprise cloud computing platform, new killer apps are being developed every day. To inspire a new generation of cloud entrepreneurs, salesforce.com is launching the Force.com Cloud Computing Challenge, a contest series designed to spawn new killer Force.com startups for key application categories. The first contest is kicking things off with a focus on expense reporting and management.

 

Why Enter?

Entrants will compete for:

  • A $50,000 cash prize
  • Ongoing marketing exposure and customer visibility through salesforce.com events, PR, Web sites including the Force.com Forty Showcase, plus the chance for an on-stage demo at Dreamforce ’09
  • Exclusive access to expert judges, including industry analysts, VCs, and salesforce.com execs and technologists
  • Potential investment from salesforce.com
  • Free full conference pass to Dreamforce 2009

 

How it Works

Official entries for the Force.com Cloud Computing Challenge will be accepted beginning April 20, 2009. Top entrants will be invited to Demo Days at salesforce.com offices to present their applications to an expert judging panel based on the following schedule:

Contest Starts Monday, April 20
Early Round Deadline Monday, May 29
Demo Day #1 Thursday, June 11
Final Round Deadline Monday, July 27
Finalists Selected Friday, July 31
Demo Day 2 Thursday, August 13
Winner Announced Monday, August 24

 

Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Effectiveness of the application to deliver expense reporting and management functionality
  • Innovative use, implementation, and integration of Force.com technologies
  • Strong visual design and user-centric execution
  • Early customer success with the application or feedback from customers planning to implement it
  • Credible business plan to develop a commercial ISV business
  • Likelihood of long-term company success
  • Entrepreneur and/or team make-up

 

Please see the FAQ page and Force.com Cloud Challenge official rules for more details.

 

 

Getting Started Resources

 New to Force.com? Here are some tools and useful information to help to get started:

 

There are two deadlines to give you plenty of time to build an app and compete. So if you're looking to build a new Force.com app, enter now for a chance at recognition, fame, and fortune!