What's N>XT For Canadian Coders? The Masters of Code Global Developer Competition Will Come to Montreal

Canada's best developers vie for a chance at USD$100,000

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TORONTO, May 29, 2015 /CNW/ - MasterCard today announced the search for Canada's next big tech innovation will continue this year at the MasterCard Masters of Code competition in Montreal on September 26^th and 27^th. MasterCard is giving Canadian coders the opportunity to bring their ideas to life by partnering with one of the world's largest technology companies in the global payments industry.

Taking place in Montreal, the MasterCard Masters of Code competition will focus on the connected life and how social and economic challenges can be addressed by our increasing connection with technology. The event will challenge the best and the brightest Canadian developers to create an application that makes it easier for people to learn, travel, commute, shop or pay for everyday items. Those who think they have what it takes to be named Canada's best coders are encouraged to register by visiting the Montreal event page.

MasterCard Canada paved the way for payments hackathons with MasterCard N>XT, the first payment network-hosted developer contest. MasterCard N>XT first debuted in Toronto in 2013 and has launched a number of tech startups via more than $50,000 in prizes, including past winners changeRoom and Tulip, two companies changing the retail experience by blending online and in-store shopping.

The event has now evolved into the global Masters of Code series, which kicked-off in Sydney, Australia earlier this year and includes events in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tel Aviv, and San Francisco, among others. The winning team from each region will be flown to Silicon Valley to complete in The Grand Finale Masters of Code hackathon, held December 5^th to 6^th for a chance to win USD$100,000 to develop their idea, plus unique access to MasterCard technology and mentorship from MasterCard experts.

"Canada is home to some of the best developers and tech enthusiasts in the world. At the Masters of Code hackathon, we're asking teams to solve everyday pain points – from transit to travel to e-learning. This is a real opportunity for developers to turn the spark of an idea into a usable, market-ready app," said Jason Davies, Head of Emerging Payments, MasterCard Canada. "I have no doubt that at the end of the Montreal event we'll be sending a world-class Canadian team to San Francisco. I can't wait to cheer our Canadian developers on."

Montreal, a city emerging as one of Canada's most promising technology hubs, is an ideal location for the first Canadian Masters of Code competition. Fueled by venture capital investment and bolstered by a diversity of culture and language, startups have flourished in Montreal and benefited from the city's commitment to attracting top developer and entrepreneurial talent. The majority of developers participating in the Masters of Code competition are expected to reside in Quebec.

Sponsored and hosted by MasterCard and organized by AngelHack, Masters of Code competition brings together the world's top developers, designers and entrepreneurs to take on the MasterCard APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to build the future of commerce. Using these APIs, developers will have access to unsurpassed assets, data insights, services and products from MasterCard that are focused on powering commerce on a global scale. The participating teams at this event will drive the next generation of commerce applications in Canada and globally. More information about the MasterCard Masters of Code competition including rules, judging criteria and prizes can be seen by visiting www.MastersofCode.com.

About MasterCard
MasterCard MA, www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNewsCAnws, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

About AngelHack
AngelHack is the world's largest and most diverse global hacker community, helping to drive open innovation of tech products, platforms and brands with extraordinary smarts, scale and speed.  Known as pioneers of global hackathons, for more than 3 years, AngelHack has partnered with corporate change-makers at Comcast NBCUniversal, Hasbro, IBM, and Hearst to run themed, global initiatives designed to rapidly get them ideas with market traction while helping them build relationships with the workforce of the future. Find out more at www.angelhack.com.

SOURCE MasterCard Canada