SmartFile Launches Programming "Bake-Off" for Indiana College Students

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, March 02, 2013 (Press-News.org) SmartFile, a leader in business file sharing and FTP hosting, launched today the '2013 SmartFile Platform Bake-Off', an open source programming and design contest offering $17,000 in cash prizes to student competitors from Indiana colleges. Registered students from schools like Purdue, IU, IUPUI, Rose-Hulman, Ivy Tech, and IPFW were provided with a free SmartFile account in addition to a collection of helpful resources for getting started.

Based on feedback from local colleges regarding scheduling, SmartFile will leave registration open throughout the 50-day development period, which ends on April 18th, 2013. The apps created will then be judged on the most critical criteria during three elimination rounds. SmartFile has invited some of the top business minds in Indiana from companies like Tinderbox, Developer Town, Right on Interactive, Kristian Andersen + Associates, and The Basement to help narrow down the final three teams at the judging party on April 23rd.

From the students' perspective, the cash prizes are certainly enticing, but it's also the opportunity to gain experience, showcase technical skills, and network with peers. "When I first heard of the SmartFile contest, my attention was snagged instantly. I have always loved the open source world and working together with others," said Taylor Brazelton, an IUPUI student and 2013 SmartFile Bake-Off contestant. "I found myself a partner for the Bake-Off soon after. We hope with our strange and obscure talent to accomplish and maybe even place with-in the competition. But, it's really all about the fun we have programming more than anything."

Professors, instructors, advisors and more joined SmartFile in helping spread the word about the Bake-Off as an opportunity to expand their boundaries to learning outside the classroom. "I teach a course in Competitive Programming at Purdue and encourage our students to participate in programming challenges, hack-a-thons, entrepreneurship competitions, and similar events. These competitions stretch their skills and are great motivators to go beyond what they learn in the classroom," said Tim Korb, Purdue's Assistant Head of Computer Science.

Kevin Hewerdine, Rose-Human's Director of Career Services and Employer Relations added, "We encourage our students to find internships, join organizations and clubs, network with local businesses, think outside-of-the-box and participate in projects and/or competitions like SmartFile's Platform Bake-Off. Combined with excellent academic preparation, Rose-Hulman students are ready to make a difference."

For more information about the 2013 SmartFile Platform Bake-Off, please visit http://www.smartfile.com/bakeoff. Updates will be shared on Twitter at @SmartFile using the hashtag #SFbakeoff.

About SmartFile
SmartFile is a business file sharing & FTP hosting platform built on an open source API. SmartFile provides service to companies in over 140 countries and includes General Mills, Yahoo, EA Sports, Skechers and Roche Diagnostics among a list of clients. From Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, SmartFile is the trusted platform chosen by businesses of all sizes to store, transfer, and share files online. For more information, call 877-336-3453 or visit http://www.smartfile.com.