Topcoder: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:50, 30 April 2018

Revision as of 12:18, 2 May 2018

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==Topcoder Company==

Topcoder was founded in 2001 by Jack Hughes, Chairman and Founder of the Tallan company.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="HuffPost-foudning" /><ref name=":1" /> The name was spelled as TopCoder prior to 2013. Originally, it was running regular competitive programming challenges, known as Single Round Matches (SRMs) – timed, 1.5 hours algorithm competitions, in which contestants competecompeted against each other to solve the same set of problems. The target auditoryaudience were school and college students; and. highHigh prizes, $5k - $10k per match, from corporate sponsors, were offered for tournament winners to bolster the interest inof the community.<ref name=":0" />

As the community grew, in 2003-05 Topcoder started to offer software development services to 3-rd3rd party clients, contracting individual community members to work on specific tasks; though most of the revenue still came from consulting services provided to clients by Topcoder employees.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> From 2006 Topcoder also holds design competition, thus offering design services to the clients.<ref name=":0" /> Also from 2006 Topcoder organizes Marathon Matches – one week long algorithmic competitions.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/marathon-match-how-it-all-began/|title=Marathon Matches: How They All Began|last=|first=|date=April 10, 2018|website=Topcoder Blog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref><ref group="note" name=":0">The first Marathon Match at Topcoder took place from May 10 to May 17, 2006: <nowiki>https://community.topcoder.com/tc?module=MatchDetails&rd=10015</nowiki></ref>

In attempts to optimize expenses, in 2007-08 Topcoder introduced new competition tracks, and delegated more work from its employees to the community. By 2009 the size of Topcoder's staff had stuffbeen reduced to 16 project managers servicing ~35 clients, while most of the actual job was done by the community via crowdsourcingcrowd-sourcing. Topcoder representatives claim that at this point their community had about 170k registered members, and the company's annual revenue was about ~$19m.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2653445/applications/topcoder-eyeing-smb-market.html|title=TopCoder eyeing SMB market|last=Kanaracus|first=Chris|date=October 15, 2008|work=InfoWorld|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

In 2013 Topcoder was acquired by [[Appirio]], and Topcoder Community, ~500k members strong back then, was merged, under the Topcoder brand, with the 75k members strong crowdsourcingcrowd-sourcing community Cloudspokes, created and managed by Apprio.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hub.appirio.com/tech-blog/appirio-is-making-big-changes-to-the-topcoder-community-and-improving-the-member-experience|title=Appirio is Making Big Changes to the Topcoder Community and Improving the Member Experience|last=Klemp|first=Nicole|date=November 19, 2015|work=|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref name=":2">TechCrunch report {{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/09/17/appirio-buys-topcoder-to-add-more-crowdsourcing-and-500k-developers-and-designers-to-its-cloudspokes-network|title=Appirio Buys TopCoder To Add More Crowdsourcing, And 500K Developers And Designers, To Its CloudSpokes Network|last=Lunden|first=Ingrid|date=September 17, 2013|website=TechCrunch|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|accessdate=2014-01-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/appirio-officially-unifies-cloudspokes-and-topcoder/|title=Appirio officially unifies CloudSpokes and topcoder|last=Clancy|first=Heather|date=January 21, 2014|work=ZD Net|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.itnews.com/article/2115211/development/topcoder-merges-appirio-cloudspokes.html|title=Topcoder lets developers compete to build the best app for your business|last=Weinberger|first=Matt|date=January 15, 2014|work=IT News|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/appirio-relaunches-topcoder-140000263.html|title=Appirio Relaunches Topcoder|last=|first=|date=January 15, 2014|work=Marketwire|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tbkconsult.com/appirio-acquires-topcoder-creating-the-worlds-largest-professional-development-and-design-community/|title=Appirio Acquires Topcoder, Creating The World's Largest Professional Development And Design Community|last=Vanbecelaere|first=Luc|date=October 11, 2013|work=TBKconsult|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

In 2016 Topcoder, along with Appirio, was acquired by [[Wipro]] as a part of $500M deal, and continued to operate as a separate company under its own brand.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/wipro-acquires-appirio-a-topcoder-community-members-perspective/|title=Wipro Acquires Appirio - A Topcoder Community Member's Perspective|last=Kheterpal|first=Gaurav|date=October 24, 2016|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/deals/-ma/Appirios-TopCoder-too-is-a-big-catch-for-Wipro/articleshow/54970568.cms|title=Appirio's TopCoder too is a big catch for Wipro|last=Phadnisi|first=Shilpa|date=October 21, 2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/news-item-wipro-acquires-appirio/|title=News Item: Wipro Acquires Appirio|last=Morris|first=Mike|date=October 20, 2016|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3133413/wipro-is-buying-cloud-consultant-appirio-for-500m.html|title=Wipro is buying cloud consultant Appirio for $500M|last=Sayer|first=Peter|date=October 20, 2016|work=PCWorld|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www2.staffingindustry.com/row/Editorial/Daily-News/India-Wipro-to-acquire-cloud-services-company-Appirio-39788|title=India - Wipro to Acquire Cloud Services Company, Appirio|last=|first=|date=October 24, 2016|work=Staffing Industry Analysts|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.horsesforsources.com/abid-HfS-interview_301116|title=Wipro bids for As-a-Service... with Abid|last=Fersht|first=Phil|date=November 29, 2016|work=Horses for Sources|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/ites/with-the-acquisition-of-appirio-wipro-expects-to-stay-ahead-of-the-game/articleshow/55020652.cms|title=With the acquisition of Appirio, Wipro expects to stay ahead of the game|last=Mendonca|first=Jochelle|date=October 24, 2016|work=The Economic Times|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> That year it also reached the milestone of 1 million registered members.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/1-million-members-strong/|title=Topcoder Community: 1 Million Members Strong|last=|first=|date=May 8, 2016|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

Since the end of 2017, Topcoder offers to its enterprise clients the so-called Hybrid Crowd platform, as the way to protect intellectual property in crowdsourcingcrowd-sourcing projects. In addition to the public Topcoder community, it allows to create certified and private crowdsourcingcrowd-sourcing communities. InIts certified communtiescommunities include members of public Topcoder communities, who are vetted for a customer's specific requirements, such as signing additional [[Non-disclosure agreement|NDA]], completing a background check, or any other specific certifications. The private communities include an enterprise's employees, contractors. As the first user of Hybrid Crowd, Wipro integrated its internal (employee-only) crowdsourcingcrowd-sourcing platform TopGear with Topcoder.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wipro.com/newsroom/press-releases/2017/topcoder-launches-hybrid-crowd-to-deliver-new-levels-of-on-demand-talent-to-the-enterprise/|title=Topcoder Launches Hybrid Crowd to Deliver New Levels of On-Demand Talent to the Enterprise|last=|first=|date=December 12, 2017|work=Wipro Newsroom|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://smartinvestor.business-standard.com/market/interviews-438102-interviewsdet-We_have_put_in_the_basic_ingredients_to_execute_well_Wipro_COO.htm#.WtJt6nVuYUE|title=We have put in the basic ingredients to execute well: Wipro COO|last=Peermohamed|first=Alnoor|date=January 25, 2017|work=SmartInvestor.in|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|last2=Krishnan|first2=Raghu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://research.nelson-hall.com/sourcing-expertise/it-services/?avpage-views=blog&type=post&post_id=722|title=Wipro Converging its Crowdtesting Activities Around QaaS & Topcoder|last=Raviart|first=Dominique|date=October 4, 2017|work=Nelson Hall|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/LNwDEZfTOVghZcdibAJypM/Wipros-Top-Gun-A-new-work-construct-in-the-digital-age.html|title=Wipro's Top Gear: A new work construct in the 'digital' age|last=Pai|first=Siddharth|date=June 6, 2017|work=Live Mint|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterbendorsamuel/2017/12/18/wipro-launches-hybrid-crowd-in-move-to-capture-digital-expertise/#7155a586732a|title=Wipro Launches Hybrid Crowd In Move To Capture Digital Expertise|last=Bendor-Samuel|first=Peter|date=December 18, 2017|work=Forbes|access-date=April 29, 2018}}</ref>

== Topcoder Community ==

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|~1 000 000<ref name=":6" />

|}

Topcoder community is the primary source of workforce behind all Topcoder projects. It is open and global: anybody, with a few legal restirctionsrestrictions dictated by US laws, and listed in Community Terms, can join and compete, without any financial commitment to Topcoder.In ParticipationAddition, participation in challenges organized in the interests of commercial clients, in general,generally requires the community member to accept non-disclosure agreement, as well. Intellectual property for the winning submissions to commercial challenges is passed to the client, in exchange offor monetary prizes paid to the winners.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://help.topcoder.com/hc/en-us|title=Topcoder Help Center|last=|first=|date=|website=Topcoder Help Center|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topcoder.com/community/how-it-works/terms/|title=Terms & Conditions of Use at Topcoder|last=|first=|date=|website=Topcoder|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref>

While the majority of community members participate in Topcoder challenges as regular competitors, those who become recognized for their performance, and involvmentinvolvement in community life (via communication in Topcoder forums, attending Topcoder events, etc.), are offered to take additional roles in the community, which includes: copilots (technical coordinators of challenges), problem writers, reviewers, etc.<ref name=":3" /> Since the end of 2014 till the end of 2017 Community Advisory Board (CAB) was selected from active community members for a one-year term to help with better communications between Topcoder company and its community.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/the-topcoder-community-advisory-board-is-finally-here/|title=The Topcoder Community Advisory Board is Finally Here!|last=|first=|date=October 31, 2014|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://help.topcoder.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001040628-Topcoder-Community-Advisory-Board|title=Topcoder Community Advisory Board|last=|first=|date=February 9, 2018|website=Topcoder Help Center|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topcoder.com/community/member-programs/topcoder-community-advisory-board/|title=2017 Community Advisory Board|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topcoder.com/community/member-programs/cab-yearbook/|title=Community Advisory Board Yearbook|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref> In 2018 the CAB was replaced by Topcoder MVP (Most Valuable Player) program.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/introducing-2018-topcoder-mvp-members/|title=Introducing the 2018 Topcoder MVP Members!|last=|first=|date=January 25, 2018|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topcoder.com/community/member-programs/mvp-program/|title=MVP Program|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref>

There are four primary segments of each Topcoder community, open to every member: Design, Development, Data Science, and Competitive Programming.<ref name=":3" /> Also, since the end of 2017 Topcoder, as a part of their Hybrid Crowd offering, creates sub-communities dedicated to specific clients / projects, that may emposeimpose additional eligibility criteria for members to join.<ref name=":9" />

=== Design ===

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** '''Presentation Design''' – [[Infographic|Infographics]], print materials, powerpoint presentations.

Two special types of Topcoder design challenges are LUX (Live User Experience, 24 - 48 hours long) and RUX (Rapid User Experience, 3 days long). In both cases larger prizes, compared to regular design challenges with the similar goals, are offered in exchange offor the shorter timeline. Short timelines allow Topcoder managers to demonstrate to customers how crowdsourcingcrowd-sourcing works, on real cases, during live, few-days meetings with the clients.<ref name=":4" />

=== Development ===

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* '''Bug Bash''' – Challenges focused on fixes of numerous small bugs in an existing software product.

* '''Code''' – Generic software development challenges, typically with 5 days competition phase, and 4 more days for review, appeals and appeal responses. Usually, two prizes are offered, ~ $600 ÷- $1200 for the winner, and a half of that for the second place.

* '''First-to-Finish (F2F)''' – Rapid software development challenges with no fixed timeline for the competition phase. The first participant who submits a solution satisfying the specifications wins the only prize. In case of defects in a submission, that competitor is provided with review feedback as soon as possible, and allowed to submit again, with no penalty for the failed submission. Typically, the such challenges have small scope, compared to other challenge types.

* '''Quality Assurance''' – Challenges focused on testing and search of bugs in the provided software products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topcoder.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-qa-challenges/|title=What is QA?|last=|first=|date=|website=Topcoder|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref>

* '''UI Prototype''' – Challenges focused on [[Front and back ends|frontend]] development. Typically, they are reviewed by scorecards paying more attention to the exact match with provided visual design specifications, and include additional phases for final fixes, compared to the regular code challenges.

=== Data Science ===

There are several types of data science challenges at Topcoder; typically they are longer than software development challenges, and focused on data science and algorithms, rather than ofon end-user software products:<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://help.topcoder.com/hc/en-us/articles/230881408-Data-Science-Challenge-Types|title=Data Science Challenge Types|last=|first=|date=March 3, 2017|website=Topcoder Help Center|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref>

* '''Marathon Match''' '''(MM)''' – A week-long algorithmic contest, in which submissions are judged objectively by an automated scoring function that feed a live leaderboard, and multiple submission from the same competitor are encouraged during the match with no penalty. Programming languages allowed in MMs are: [[C++]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[Python (programming language)|Python]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#.NET]], [[Visual Basic .NET|VB.NET]]. Topcoder organizeshas organized Marathon Matches since 2006; and 100^-th MM will be held in April 2018. There are few simularsimilar types of challenges ('''Banner Match''', '''Mini-Marathon Match'''), different by length and allowed programming languages.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/marathon-match-100-prizes-t-shirts/|title=Marathon Match 100 with Prizes & T-Shirts|last=|first=|date=April 11, 2018|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=April 12, 2018|dead-url=}}</ref><ref group="note" name=":0" />

* '''Data Science First to Finish''' – Algorithmic contests scored by an automated scoring functions, where the first competitor that reaches the specified score thresholds wins.

* '''Data Science Sprint''' – A series of rapid data-science challenges, scored by a manual scoring function, and with no leaderboard.

* '''Data Visualization''' – Subjectively -judged competition that asks to analyze data and propose the best way to visualize them, along with trends and/or pecularitiespeculiarities in data that should be highlighted. The output of such challenges serves as input into design competition that outputs the actual visualizations of the data.

* '''Data Science Ideation''' – A challenge to discover new data / approaches / ideas for a problem with help of community.

=== Competitive Programming ===

The Competitive programmingProgramming track of Topcoder community rotates around Single Round Matches (SRMs) – timed 1.5 hours competitions in which all participants compete online trying to solve the same set of problems as fast as possible,. whichThese wherewere the first type of challenges at Topcoder.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://help.topcoder.com/hc/en-us/articles/115006162527-SRM-Overview|title=SRM Overview|last=|first=|date=April 25, 2017|website=Topcoder Help Center|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref>

=== Specialized Sub-Communities ===

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== Topcoder Open ==

[[Topcoder Open|Topcoder Open (TCO)]] is an annual design, software development, data science and competitive programming championship, organized by Topcoder, and hosted in different venues around the US. Each year, the most successful participants of each competition track included into TCO are selected and invited for a free one-week trip to on-site finals, where they compete for prizes, and also socialize with each other, helping to build community sprit among the most active members. In the first two years, 2001 and 2002, the tournament was titled TopCoder Invitational.

In addition to the main championship, from 2001 to 2007 Topcoder was organizingorganized an annual TopCoder Collegiate Challenge tournament, for college students only. Also from 2007 to 2010 a TopCoder High School competition was held.

FromSince 2015, Topcoder Regional events arehave been held through the year in different countries.

== Notable Clients and Projects ==

=== ConsenSys ===

SinceIn 2017 Topcoder entered into partnership with [[ConsenSys]], an incubator of [[Ethereum]] projects, to promote the Topcoder Blockchain Community, and provide ConsenSys with design and development support for their [[blockchain]] projects.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=http://blockchain.topcoder.com/|title=Topcoder Blockchain Community|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.computerworld.in/media-releases/topcoder-consensys-partner-create-blockchain-engineers-community|title=Topcoder, ConsenSys partner to create blockchain engineers community|last=|first=|date=September 29, 2017|work=ComputerWorld|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite news|url=http://blocktribune.com/consensys-topcoder-partner-create-ethereum-engineering-community/|title=ConsenSys, Topcoder Partner to Create Ethereum Engineering Community|last=Pimentel|first=David|date=September 29, 2017|work=Block Tribune|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blockchain-for-social-impact-coalition--topcoder-announce-decentralized-impact-incubator-300623661.html|title=Blockchain for Social Impact Coalition & Topcoder announce Decentralized Impact Incubator|last=|first=|date=April 3, 2018|work=CISION PR Newswire|access-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

=== Eli Lilly and Company ===

It was reported in 2008 that [[Eli Lilly and Company|Eli Lilly and Co.]] willwould use Topcoder platform to crowdsourcecrowd-source developementdevelopment of IT applications for its global drug discovery operations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2535921/app-development/eli-lilly-aims-to-tap--rock-star--programmers.html|title=Eli Lilly aims to tap "rock star" programmers|last=Havenstein|first=Heather|date=May 18, 2008|work=Computerworld|access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref>

=== Harvard Medical School ===

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=== IBM ===

Since 2016 [[IBM]] collaborateshas been collaborating with Topcoder to promote their cloud platform, [[IBM cloud computing|IBM Cloud]], and [[Watson (computer)|IBM Watson]] services, in particular.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/topcoder-and-ibm-partner-to-bring-watson-to-the-topcoder-community/|title=Topcoder and IBM Partner to Bring Watson to the Topcoder Community|last=|first=|date=November 10, 2016|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/51034.wss|title=IBM and Topcoder Bring Watson to More than One Million Developers|last=|first=|date=November 9, 2016|work=IBM Press Release|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sdtimes.com/ai/ibm-watson-topcoder-bring-ai-capabilities-1-million-developers/|title=IBM Watson, Topcoder bring AI capabilities to more than 1 million developers|last=Moore|first=Madison|date=November 10, 2016|work=SD Times|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/article/ibms-watson-cloud-now-available-to-topcoder-community-cm707062|title=IBM's Watson & Cloud Now Available to Topcoder Community|last=|first=|date=November 10, 2016|work=Nasdaq|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://icrunchdata.com/blog/109/ibm-launches-experimental-platform-to-embed-watson-in-any-device/|title=IBM Launches Experimental Platform to Embed Watson in Any Device|last=|first=|date=November 9, 2016|work=iCrunchData|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fintechnews.sg/6914/fintech/ibm-helps-fintechs-drive-new-innovation-payments-lending-blockchain-know-customer/|title=IBM Helps FinTechs Drive New Innovation In Payments, Lending, Blockchain And Know Your Customer|last=|first=|date=November 16, 2016|work=Fintechnews Singapore|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> Within this parntership, Topcoder has created a dedicated Cognitive sub-community and run numerous educational and customer-oriented challenges.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=http://cognitive.topcoder.com/|title=Topcoder Cognitive Community|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.imwuc.org/blog/build-better-government-on-blockchain---topcoder-challenge|title=Build Better Government on Blockchain - TopCoder Challenge|last=Meren|first=Kathryn|date=July 20, 2017|work=IBM Middleware User Community Blog|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thenewstack.io/ibm-brings-low-code-app-development-bluemix/|title=IBM Brings Low-Code App Development to Bluemix|last=Taft|first=Darryl|date=April 13, 2017|work=The News Stack|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

=== NASA ===

In 2010 [[NASA]] asked the Topcoder community to optimize the contentcontents of medical kits for future human space exploration missions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.solardaily.com/reports/TopCoder_Community_Refines_Medical_Kits_For_Future_NASA_Space_Missions_999.html|title=TopCoder Community Refines Medical Kits For Future NASA Space Missions|last=|first=|date=July 28, 2010|work=Solar Daily|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

In 2013 NASA Tournament Lab cooperated with Topcoder to run data-science challenges targeting to improve computer vision algorithms for their [[Robonaut|Robonaut 2]] humanoid robot;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/nasa-and-topcoder-to-issue-robonaut-2-sight-challenge/2013/03/29/5e513c16-989a-11e2-814b-063623d80a60_blog.html|title=NASA and TopCoder to issue Robonaut 2 "sight" challenge|last=Kolawole|first=Emi|date=March 29, 2013|work=The Washington Post|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/nasa-topcoder-team-up-on-an-advanced-robotics-algorithm-challenge/|title=NASA + Topcoder Team-Up on an Advanced Robotics Algorithm Challenge|last=|first=|date=February 6, 2016|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/514/20130118/nasa-topcoder-contest-power-output-iss.htm|title=NASA, TopCoder Announce $30,000 Contest to Maximize Power Output to ISS|last=Miller|first=Sarah|date=January 18, 2013|work=Nature World News|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> in another challenge Topcoder members were asked to develop algorithms for optimization of ISS solar arrays usage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sylvainzimmer.com/2013/02/06/optimizing-the-iss-solar-arrays-a-python-solution-to-the-nasa-longeron-challenge/|title=Optimizing the ISS solar arrays, a Python solution to the NASA Longeron Challenge|last=Zimmer|first=Sylvan|date=February 6, 2013|work=Sylvan Zimmer's Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> Also in 2013 Topcoder helped NASA to develop software solution for tracking food consumption by astornauts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/techonomy/2013/02/26/nasa-asks-the-crowd-to-help-track-what-astronauts-eat/#793c1ef24780|title=NASA Asks The "Crowd" To Help Track What Astronauts Eat|last=Burke|first=Adrienne|date=February 26, 2013|work=Forbes|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> In another challenge, Topcoder community helped NASA and [[National Geographic]]'s explorer [https://www.nationalgeographic.org/find-explorers/explorers/4642934E/albert-lin Albert Lin] to develop an algorithm to identify human-build structures in [[Genghis Khan]]'s homeland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/topcoder-teams-with-nasa-and-national-geographic-emerging-explorer-albert-lin-to-create-a-powerful-algorithm-that-identifies-human-built-structures-in-genghis-khans-homeland-223508431.html|title=TopCoder Teams with NASA and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Albert Lin to Create a Powerful Algorithm that Identifies Human-Built Structures in Genghis Khan's Homeland|last=|first=|date=September 12, 2013|work=CISION. PR NewsWire|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chei.ucsd.edu/2013/09/13/calit2-research-scientist-albert-lin-teams-with-topcoder-nasa/|title=Calit2 Research Scientist Albert Lin Teams with TopCoder, NASA|last=Ramsey|first=Doug|date=September 13, 2013|work=CHEI|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

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In 2014, Asteroid Data Hunter, Asteroid Tracker, and a number of other challenges were carried on to develop better algorithms for asteroids detection in space images.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/asteroid-data-hunter-challenge-0|title=Asteroid Data Hunter Challenge|last=|first=|date=March 17, 2014|work=NASA|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/asteroid-data-hunter-app/|title=Asteroid Data Hunter App|last=|first=|date=|work=Solar System Exploration Research. Virtual Institute.|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/PlanetaryResources/NTL-Asteroid-Data-Hunter|title=NTL Asteroid Data Hunter|last=|first=|date=|website=GitHub|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://astronomynow.com/2015/03/16/download-nasas-asteroid-data-hunter-software-and-help-save-the-planet/|title=Download NASA's Asteriod Data Hunter software and help save the plant|last=|first=|date=March 16, 2015|work=Astronomy Now|access-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh6FGU0Xm5k|title=NASA & Planetary Resources Asteroid Data Hunter Challenge|last=|first=|date=March 17, 2014|website=YouTube|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.space.com/25029-nasa-dangerous-asteroid-contest-prizes.html|title=NASA Offers Cash Prizes for Help Hunting Dangerous Asteroids|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=March 11, 2014|work=Space.com|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|last2=|first2=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/10/nasa-asteroids-data-hunter-dinosaurs-sxsw|title=Nasa Asteroid Data Hunter contest hopes humans will outsmart dinosaurs|last=Dredge|first=Stuart|date=|work=The Guardian|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?type=webcontent&articleId=1502050|title=A look at how NASA is tapping into the open source revolution|last=Rowley|first=Melissa|date=October 27, 2014|work=CISCO The Network|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fedscoop.com/nasa-topcoder-challenge/|title=NASA taps massive coding community for deep space solutions|last=Otto|first=Greg|date=August 12, 2014|work=FedScoop|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72bKusFX0Tg|title=NASA's Asteroid Tracker|last=|first=|date=June 13, 2014|website=YouTube|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://asteroids.topcoder.com/|title=NASA & Planetary Resources Asteroids Data Hunter App|last=|first=|date=|website=asteroids.topcoder.com|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/topcoder-and-the-challenges-of-mankind-solving-the-stuff-of-dreams/|title=Topcoder and the Challenges of Mankind - Solving the Stuff of Dreams|last=|first=|date=August 7, 2014|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/asteroids-v-2-0-help-identify-asteroids-protect-planet-earth/|title=Asteroids, v2.0 - Help Identify Asteroids & Protect Planet Earth|last=|first=|date=August 8, 2014|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/climate-resilience-data-challenge-35k-in-prizes/|title=Climate Resilience Data Challenge - $35k in Prizes|last=|first=|date=December 9, 2014|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 6, 2014|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/name-nasas-new-free-flying-robot/|title=Name NASA's New Free Flying Robot!|last=|first=|date=October 7, 2014|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/nasas-asteroid-data-hunter-launch-at-sxsw/|title=NASA's Asteroid Data Hunter Launch at SXSW|last=|first=|date=April 16, 2015|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topcoder.com/about-topcoder/customer-stories/nasas-asteroid-data-hunter/|title=NASA's Asteroid Data Hunter. Machine Learning Algorithm|last=|first=|date=|website=Topcoder. Customer Stories.|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/mgb7nq/with-help-from-topcoder-nasa-is-contestsourcing-its-deepest-problems|title=NASA Is Contest-Sourcing Solutions to Its Deepest Problems|last=Teitel|first=Amy Shira|date=August 10, 2014|work=Motherboard|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aticourses.com/blog/index.php/2014/10/16/name-nasanew-free-flying-robot-and-win-1000/|title=Name NASA New Free-Flying Robot and Win $1,000!|last=|first=|date=October 16, 2014|work=Applied Technology Institute|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3034090/nasa-plans-to-deploy-these-crowdsourced-projects-in-space|title=NASA Plans To Deploy These Crowdsourcing Projects In Space|last=|first=|date=July 8, 2014|work=Fast Company. Fast Feed.|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

In 2015 the Topcoder Data Science community was challenged by NASA, [[QuakeFinder|Quakefinder]], [[Harvard innovation lab|Harward Crowd Innovation Lab]], and [[Amazon Web Services]], to come up with an algorithm that finds correlations between ultra-low frequency electromagnetic signals emanagingemanating from the earth, and subsequent moderate and large earhquakesearthquakes<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.topcoder.com/blog/make-a-difference-win-prizes-in-nasas-quest-for-quakes/|title=Make a Difference, Win Prizes in NASA's Quest for Quakes|last=|first=|date=July 22, 2015|work=Topcoder Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://phys.org/news/2015-07-nasa-hosts-quest-quakes.html|title=NASA hosts "Quest for Quakes" data challenge|last=|first=|date=July 27, 2015|work=Phys.org|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>.

In 2017 NASA, HeroX, and Topcoder announced a challege to optimize their computational-intensive software solution for fluid dynamics, FUN3D,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.i-programmer.info/news/204-challenges/10746-nasa-high-performance-fast-computing-challenge.html|title=NASA High Performance Fast Computing Challenge|last=Gee|first=Sue|date=May 8, 2017|work=I Programmer|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.universetoday.com/135414/faster-supercomputer-nasa-announces-high-performance-fast-computing-challenge/|title=Faster Supercomputer! NASA Announces The High Performance Fast Computing Challenge|last=Williams|first=Matt|date=May 5, 2017|work=Universe Today. Space and Astronomy News|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.space.com/36755-nasa-supercomputer-software-coding-contest.html|title=NASA Wants Your Code! Boost Supercomputer Software Speed and Win $55,000|last=O'Neill|first=Ian|date=May 8, 2017|work=Space.com|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasa.gov/aero/nasa-issues-a-challenge-to-speed-up-its-supercomputer-code|title=NASA Issues a Challenge to Speed Up Its Supercomputer Code|last=|first=|date=October 1, 2014|work=NASA|access-date=April 6, 2014|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://silvertonconsulting.com/blog/2017/05/07/know-fortran-optimize-nasa-code-make-money/#sthash.ze5BiPBY.dpbs|title=Know Fortran, optimize NASA code, make money|last=|first=|date=May 7, 2017|work=Silverton Consulting Blog|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> which was cancelled later due to a high number of applicants (more than 1,800) during the registration, coupled with concerns about control over the public distribution of the software to optimize.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.herox.com/HPFCC/updates|title=NASA Cancels its High Performance Fast Computing Challenge|last=Murtha|first=Maureen|date=June 16, 2017|work=NASA Tournament Lab|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

=== Topcoder Veterans Community ===

InAt the end of 2017 Topcoder, together with Operation Code [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit charity]], announced the launch of Topcoder Veterans Community, that will focus on helping US military veterans to make their way into tech careercareers in software development, via education programs and paid crowdsourcingcrowd-sourcing challenges.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=http://veterans.topcoder.com/|title=Topcoder Veterans Community|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://operationcode.org/|title=Operation Code|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wipro.com/newsroom/press-releases/2017/topcoder-launches-crowdsourcing-community-to-help-us-military-veterans-transition-to-technology-jobs/|title=Topcoder Launches Crowdsourcing Community to Help U.S. Military Veterans Transition to Technology Jobs|last=|first=|date=December 14, 2017|work=Wipro Press Release|access-date=April 8, 2017|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite news|url=http://www.computerworld.in/media-releases/topcoder-provides-employment-oppurtunities-us-military-veterans|title=Topcoder provides employment oppurtunities for US Military veterans|last=|first=|date=December 18, 2017|work=Computer World|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>

== See also ==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->