Agoda has recently announced the return to its global programming competition, Codegoda, a competition welcoming coders of all ages, backgrounds, genders and levels of experience.

This is the forth time that the competition will be held.

Amid numerous new technology opportunities across fintech, extended reality (XR), metaverse, AI, satellite connectivity and more – Agoda believes the key to unlock the value within them is recognising great talent, the company said.

The single-round competition will take place on April 1, 2023.

Participants will be tasked to solve six algorithmic problems within a three-hour window, mimicking real-life issues faced by Agoda’s tech team daily. No one-size solution fits all, freeform problem-solving methods are encouraged, and coders can choose to use any programming language to solve the issue.

There is a prize pot of US$8,750 with the overall winner having the chance to scoop up the $3,500 prize

“Codegoda has the distinct advantage of being designed for coders by coders. The freeform style of tackling these problems allows participants to test the limits of their coding capabilities. Whether you are a seasoned tech professional or someone looking to get into this exciting field, Codegoda is mapped out to offer a challenging experience for all. Past results have even proven to help the working teams at Agoda consider solutions from a different perspective,” said Idan Zalzberg, chief technology officer, Agoda.

“The idea of keeping the competition open to all has always been a deliberate choice. At Agoda, anyone, regardless of background and expertise, can choose to work in the technology space and the organisation fosters a culture that encourages innovation and problem solving,” he said.

To date, the competition has hosted over 20,000 participants from 89 markets.

Past winners have emerged from Thailand, Indonesia, Viet Nam, India, and Germany, with some winners having no prior technical work experience. The competition enables participants to demonstrate their programming skills on a global stage, adding credibility to those looking to further their careers in the field. Several participants have gone on to be hired by Agoda and have grown their careers at the company. — VNS