Hey Hackers! If you’re ready to build the next generation of web services and storage now is your chance to shine. Gitcoin is excited to announce our first exclusive virtual hackathon featuring Skynet by Sia, launching this Friday, February 28th.

Sia is a blockchain-based decentralized cloud storage network. Sia helps users “rent” space on peers’ hard drives around the world, encrypting and breaking up file contents to protect data privacy. Sia recently launched Skynet, a CDN and web hosting service built on the core Sia network that allows anyone to host public files and apps across multiple peers with redundancy, making those files and apps effectively permanent and censorship-resistant.

Skynet already hosts some awesome decentralized applications, including a Pastebin-style text uploader, video and audio hosting services, and a blog publishing tool. Now, for the Sia Virtual Hackathon, they want to see what YOU will create using Skynet!

Any project that uses Skynet creatively will be eligible for prizes. This includes building new functionality on the apps mentioned above, or creating core infrastructure for Skynet itself. The grand prize winner will receive 1,000,000 Siacoin (~$2,700) for their submission. Three runner-up entrants will win 250,000 SC each, and all others who put in work to build an incredible app will earn 25,000 SC a piece.

We can’t wait to see how you’ll build on Skynet to help make the decentralized web useful and fun. Register now to make sure you’re ready to join when we launch Friday, and hop into the Skynet Virtual Hackathon Town Square channel once you do to share your project ideas. See you there!