How to take part in a contest?

Today, we’re going to talk about a challenge that every hardware engineer has to face... Money!

It shouldn’t be a problem if you are working for a company or a startup with good amount of funding to fuel the project. But things get very difficult very soon when you are doing it as a hobby or doing something on your own with limited funding! Now, what if I told you there’s a way to fund your projects and build a community around them at the same time?

Contest

Contests are not just about winning cash prizes; they’re also helpful in meeting like-minded people, building a community around your work, getting support for your projects, and even finding help when you need it, both in terms of technology and finances!

This guide will walk you through the process of finding a contest, entering it, and even giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how to prepare for these contests, coming up with an idea, executing it, and successfully submitting your work for the contest. There are many websites that host contests Instructables, Hackster.io, Circuit Digest and even at PCBCUPID! for makers. They offer a wide range of contests very regularly, with substantial prize money. But remember, there are other options out there with fewer participants and higher chances of winning; you just have to look for them.

Find reason to motivate

Before even looking at the prize money, make sure the topic interests you. This point is really important to keep myself motivated throughout the contest period and to finish the project.

Secondly, consider the prize money. I would say your skill level and the prize money should be proportional. If you’re highly skilled and the prize money is very low for a not so interesting topic, it might not be worth your time. Because you neither gain new skills nor are you financially worth your time and effort. But if you’re just starting out in hardware engineering for the first time in a contest, I would definitely encourage you to register for every single contest that’s available. It doesn’t matter whether you win or not, because the skill and experience of taking part in a contest will really help you in the long run.

Next, consider the contest dates. These contests usually run for months, and most of the time, you can probably finish your project within that timeframe. But sometimes, life gets in the way. Maybe you’re a student with exams coming up or a working professional with work-related challenges. So, it’s crucial to check the timeline of the contest and try to complete it whenever you can!

Next, go through the contest submission rules. Once you’ve considered all these factors, let your hands get dirty!

Tip /Hack

Here’s a little tip: check out the judges of the contest. Sometimes, doing a little research about them can give you an edge. You can try to figure out what they like and slightly incline your project towards that. But remember, this doesn’t always work, and it’s more important to stay true to your idea.

Thanks for watching, and as always, keep learning and keep creating!