If you’ve got talent, why not make the most of it when you’re young?HackNowis a contest aimed at encouraging Europe’s young developer talent to do just that.

Organised by Germany’sHackFwdfund, HackNow is looking for technically talented people under the age of 18 to create web applications, iPhone hacks, Facebook apps, graphics demos and more – basically anything that shows off their talent. Entrants can code in any language they like as long as the finished product is for any of Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, Linux or the Web.

The first prize is pretty attractive – €5,000 in cash, a new Android phone and a trip to present the winning entry at a HackFwd event in Berlin in September. Second and third prizes will win €1,000 in cash and an Android phone. Entries will be judged on their innovation, usefulness and technical merit.

HackFwd is a pre-seed fund aimed at developers who are starting out, providing funding and support for teams of up to three people. While mainly aimed at adult entrepreneurs, it’s good to see HackNow encouraging the next generation of European development talent too. The contest is open to residents of the EU, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. The deadline for entries is 15 August 2011.

Story byMartin SFP Bryant

Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletter PreSeed Now and technology and media consultancy Big Revolution. He was previously(show all)Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletterPreSeed Nowand technology and media consultancyBig Revolution. He was previously Editor-in-Chief at TNW.

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