Facebook launches Bots for Messenger Developer Challenge

Developers, in teams of up to three people, are invited to create bots in three categories: gaming and entertainment; productivity and utility; and social good.

This aligns with Facebook’s commitment to promote innovation in the Middle East and Africa by providing developers and start-ups with the tools they need to build, grow, monetize, and measure products and services.

Facebook grew out of a hacker culture and thrives by promoting innovation on new platforms. That's why Facebook is launching the Bots for Messenger Challenge, a contest to recognise and reward developers who are able to create the most innovative new bots on Messenger.

Prizes

Finalist teams

The 60 finalist teams (10 per category in each region) will win a Gear VR and mobile phone, one hour of Facebook mentorship and tools and services from FbStart, a Facebook program designed to help early stage mobile startups build and grow their bots.

All student teams who make it to the finals will win an additional US$2,000 (students will be verified against their registration via their government accredited school email accounts).

Runner-up teams

For each region, three runner-up teams (one from each category) will win US$10,000 and three months of Facebook mentorship.

Winning Teams

For each region, three winning teams (one from each category) will win US$20,000 and three months of Facebook mentorship.

Dates

Submissions open: 15 February at 9am (GMT)
Deadline for entries: 28 April at 11:59pm (GMT)
Finalists announced (30 teams each in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East/North Africa): 19 May at 9am (GMT)
Deadline for entries from finalists: 2 June at 11:59pm (GMT)
Winners announced: 19 June at 9am (GMT)

For more, go to www.messengerchallenge.splashthat.com and join the Facebook Group to stay connected.