Free FOSS Mobile Hackathon.
There’s a hackathon coming up. In the Netherlands. May 16th. It’s for students. They want you to build apps. For phones. Specifically, Lomiri and Ubuntu Touch. If that sounds like your niche, read on. If not, well, it’s free.
OpenSource Science B.V. — or OS-SCi, bless their hearts — is the outfit behind this. They’re based in Tilburg and apparently exist solely to train devs on free and open source software. Bachelor’s programs, modular courses, the whole nine yards. They’ve even roped in the Rust Foundation and the Python Institute. Big names. Still, OS-SCi itself? A bit of a ghost. You’d be forgiven for not knowing they exist. They operate in the educational trenches, quietly integrating FOSS into university curricula. They also have a consultancy arm, FOSSTech. So, they’re not just tweed jackets and ivory towers.
This Lomiri Tech Meeting and CodeFest (let’s just call it a hackathon, shall we?) is their attempt to draw attention. And frankly, it might work.
Building for Lomiri, For Free?
The event itself is a two-day affair. It’s billed as a hackathon, which usually means lots of caffeine and even more frustration. This one, however, seems designed to actually empower attendees. They’re focusing on Lomiri, the UI for Ubuntu Touch, the mobile operating system everyone loves to forget exists. UBports is the group keeping that flame alive.
Two keynote speakers are lined up. Mike Gabriel, the Lomiri UI project leader, will be there. Erik Mols is also confirmed. His big reveal? The Lomiri Bounty Program. This initiative promises actual financial incentives for students contributing to the Ubuntu Touch ecosystem. Translation: they want to pay you to code. Imagine that.
Attendees get free copies of Lomiri App Development Level 1 and Level 2. This isn’t some flimsy PDF download; these are actual course materials. Three volumes in total, apparently. It covers the basics and then some. The real draw, though, isn’t just the freebies. It’s the hands-on sessions. Guided by experts. The stated goal? You leave having built something. Not just attended another dusty presentation.
Why Does This Matter for Developers?
Look, Ubuntu Touch and Lomiri aren’t exactly setting the mobile world on fire. They’re a niche. A very, very small niche. But that’s precisely why this hackathon might be valuable. In a crowded development landscape, finding a place to truly make an impact can feel impossible. Here, you’re not competing with millions of apps. You’re a big fish in a tiny, albeit slightly obscure, pond.
Furthermore, the Lomiri Bounty Program sounds like a genuinely good idea. Most hackathons offer bragging rights and maybe a t-shirt. This offers coin. Real-world incentives for contributing to an open-source project that actually needs developers. It’s a model more projects should emulate. If OS-SCi can pull this off consistently, they might just carve out a sustainable space for themselves and their students.
This isn’t just about learning to code for a defunct phone OS. It’s about understanding how small, dedicated communities can sustain and grow software outside the GAFAM behemoths. It’s a look at alternative mobile futures. And if you’re a student looking for experience that actually stands out on a resume, this is it.
Every student who attends will be given free copies of Lomiri App Development Level 1 and Level 2.
Event Logistics: Don’t Get Lost
The particulars: May 16th and 17th, 2026. Starts at 10 AM each day, wraps up at 4 PM on the 17th. Location: OS-SCi’s headquarters at Spoorlaan 400, Tilburg, Netherlands. It’s right near Tilburg’s main train station. Easy commute for those already in the Netherlands. They mention wheelchair accessibility. Don’t just take their word for it; confirm directly with OS-SCi if that’s a requirement for you. Registration is free, which is good, because frankly, I’d hesitate to pay for it. But free? Fine. Sign up on their event page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Lomiri?
Lomiri is the user interface designed for Ubuntu Touch, an open-source mobile operating system. It’s an alternative to the dominant mobile interfaces from Apple and Google.
Will this hackathon teach me skills for mainstream app development?
While you’ll learn valuable programming and problem-solving skills, the specific technologies are niche. The experience of contributing to an open-source project and potentially earning bounties is transferable.
Is this event open to non-students?
The event is specifically aimed at students, though OS-SCi’s other programs might cater to a broader audience. Check their official event page for registration details.
