FAQs

Quick FAQs

So what exactly is the Health 2.0 Developer Challenge?
Health 2.0 manages a series of virtual and physical events in which developers and challengers can work together to develop (and enhance) applications. Data aggregators (including but absolutely not limited to government agencies) are invited to contribute data sets and other information sources. Developers are invited to build new tools and applications or enhance existing ones. Patients, providers, health care organizations, foundations–and anyone else interested in health care–are invited to take part in the challenge–perhaps by throwing out challenges, or offering prizes for the best solution to specific problems, or to the most innovative applications.

Why are you doing this?
The US Dept. of Health and Human Services announced the Community Health Data Initiative (CHDI) in March 2010. HHS collected and collated several data sets and asked the developer community to use those data in their applications, and to create new applications. On June 2 several applications were shown in a meeting at the Institute of Medicine in Washington DC (video available here). Meanwhile, around that time Health 2.0 started plans to create a series of hackathons to enhance creativity and innovation in the Health 2.0 community. After discussion with HHS and the Office of Science & Technology Policy, Health 2.0 agreed to broaden the scope of its proposed hackathons to include the CHDI data set and other data sets. Our joint goal is to stimulate information across the health care and technology communities, and to highlight the benefits of innovation using data and applications that are aimed at improving health.

Is there a fee to issue a challenge?
Health 2.0 offers a range of bundled packages that provide a sponsor with an easy-to-use turnkey solution for running a challenge or code-a-thon. The basic bundled challenge project is offered for $20,000, with additional levels offered for more complex and involved projects. There is no cost for teams to participate in any of the Health 2.0 Developer Challenge projects.

How specific does my challenge need to be?
It needs to be actionable rather than necessarily specific, although the more specific you make it the more targeted the submissions will be. For example, a challenge might highlight a specific health care problem and ask for new ways to solve it. Or you might offer a data set and ask developers to show the most interesting use of it.

Can you help me shape my challenge?
Yes, we will be happy to work with you on shaping your challenge project.  Consulting on the goals, structure, and management of the challenge is a key element of our bundled challenge service.  You can contact Jean-Luc Neptune, Senior Vice President, at jl@health2con.com to learn more.

I’m not a techie but I have an idea for a challenge, can I still throw one out?
Absolutely. You can submit a challenge here.

Can I work directly with the teams?
Yes, you will receive the emails of challenge team submissions and will be able to access their blogs.

Do I have to interact with the teams?
No, you can judge online submissions directly from the site and choose a winner.

What if no one signs up for my challenge?
Sorry, we don’t guarantee sign-ups but we will do everything we can to promote your challenge project and recruit teams to participate.

If I offer a cash prize, do you pay that or do I?
You (the challenge Sponsor) pays it.

Who judges our challenge? Can you create a panel of judges for me?
You create your own judging panel. But we can provide suggestions and input if you’d like, just ask.

Who owns the applications?
We have created an intellectual property framework that allows developers to retain ownership of any intellectual property that is developed in a challenge and the right to commercialize the intellectual property without restriction.  We do provide some limited rights to sponsors to use and display intellectual property that is developed in a challenge.

What rights does Health 2.0 have to applications?
Health 2.0 maintains a royalty-free non-exclusive worldwide license to use, copy for use, perform publicly, display publicly, applications developed as part of the challenge for the purpose of the Competition until one year after the announcement of winners. This license includes posting or linking to the submission on the official Health 2.0 websites and partner websites. Essentially, we want to be able to show the application without restrictions.

Can I throw out a challenge for a product my organization actually wants to use?
Yes of course, but realize that the Health 2.0 Developer challenge is not a place to get software built that you would normally buy or license. It’s a place to spark innovation and have the creation of prototypes that might solve a specific problem in healthcare.

Can I invest in a team to build a company or product?
Once the challenge is over, you are free to interact with the teams and winners under separate business arrangements.

What do you need from us if we’re offering a challenge or a prize?

  • Title
  • Graphic
  • Prize
  • Links (to toolkits or data sets or site for further instructions)
  • Timeline
  • Judges
  • Description of Challenge
  • Would you like to communicate with the Development team?
  • Any additional terms and conditions

Where do I submit my challenge?
You can submit your challenge here.

Who do I contact for more information on the challenge?
You can email Jean-Luc Neptune at jl@health2con.com, Austin Cohen at austin@health2con.com, or Hemali Thakkar at hemali@health2con.com with any questions or suggestions.