New York, N.Y., May 10, 2016 – As government officials prepare for an OECD Ministerial next month to explore the evolution of the digital economy as a platform for economic growth and social progress, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) invites all coders and app developers to compete for cash prizes at a Hackathon contest taking place on June 20 and 21 in Cancun, Mexico, in association with the 2016 OECD Ministerial on the Digital Economy.

“The Hackathon is a fantastic opportunity for young app developers to demonstrate their talents to digital economy policymakers and executives from the world’s leading tech companies,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “We will be treated to an insider’s view on the innovative process that drives the digital economy.”

Organized by the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD, the Hackathon invites coders to compete in teams within the following app categories: cultural heritage, smart city, social inclusion and entrepreneurship. Winners will be announced at the OECD Ministerial dinner on June 22. Several awards and prizes are up for grabs, including the grand prize of $10,000 and four months’ mentorship by Angel Ventures. Free lodging will be provided for those team members selected to attend the dinner.

Hackathon participants are invited to register for the event on BIAC’s website.

As the U.S. affiliate to BIAC, USCIB has played an active role in planning the Hackathon. The following USCIB members are sponsoring the event: AT&T, Cisco, Disney, Google, Intel, Oracle, Microsoft and Verisign.

Members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will gather in Cancun, Mexico from June 21 to 23 for a Ministerial meeting to discuss new approaches to digital economy policy. Click here for more information on the Ministerial.

About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, including BIAC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, VP communications, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org