For too long, the systems that decide which academic work gets seen — and which gets ignored — have not been built for us.
The Global South Index (GSI) is changing that.
A new academic indexing platform, designed specifically to give African and Global South researchers the recognition, reach, and permanence their work deserves. Built on technology that is fair, transparent, and community-owned.
Because the future of global knowledge includes all of us.
The GSI Buildathon is how we're hiring the founding team — and how we're mapping the top 1% of design and engineering talent across Southern and Eastern Nigeria. 6-hour sprint. Balanced product teams. One MVP that has to feel inevitable.
We didn't want to write a job posting. So we built a stage.
Open call across community chapters, GDGs, and tech hubs in the South and East.
Hiring key designers, developers, and product leads live from the finale stage.
A fast-paced sprint to build and ship the "Proof of Impact" Academic Node.
Currently, Western platforms rank research strictly by global citations, ignoring local impact. Your task is to build a "Proof of Impact" Academic Portal. Teams must build a lightweight Web3 application where a researcher can upload the metadata of a local African research paper (e.g., Title, Abstract, Field, Local Policy Mentions, and Open-Access Citations). The system must process this data, calculate a unique "GSI Score", and display the indexed paper on a clean public dashboard.
Write a backend algorithm or smart contract that processes inputs (like local citations, government policy mentions, and NGO adoptions) and calculates a weighted GSI Score. Utilize Space and Time (SXT) SQL queries or Avalanche smart contracts to store and process this logic.
Build the frontend interface containing a submission form for researchers and a public dashboard showing scores. Keep the design clean, intuitive, and accessible for older professors, avoiding Web3/crypto complexity.
Ensure the product directly aligns with GSI's mission to highlight Global South research. Show practical value that an institution's VC would immediately recognize, bypassing traditional paywalls.
Work seamlessly as a cohesive unit during the 6-hour sprint. Show a balanced, active commit history in GitHub across product design, frontend, and backend components.
Deliver a compelling 5-minute pitch (3 minutes for a live working demo, 2 minutes explaining your Web3 architecture) followed by Q&A with the judges.
From application deadline to the live finale in Port Harcourt — here's how the timeline unfolds.
Here’s what we’ve committed to building — decided, scoped, and funded for the first release. Plus what comes next.
Submit your application now. We review every submission personally — shortlisted candidates are emailed within 5 days of the close date alongside the official brief, judging rubric, and sprint timeline.
The application is on Google Forms — takes 3 minutes, no account required. We review every submission personally and email shortlisted candidates within 5 days of close.
Open Application Form →Seven roles. One event in Port Harcourt. Whether you’re managing the stage schedule, keeping teams compliant, handling VIP protocol, overseeing logistics, or covering it on social media — pick your function and help us run the buildathon that finds Nigeria’s next great builders.
Every applicant is also a candidate for our partner startups — over a dozen firms looking for elite builders from the South/East to fill product, design, and engineering seats.
The real prize is the contract. But we've worked with Web3 sponsors and partner startups to make sure no one leaves Port Harcourt empty-handed.
Hired into the GSI founding team with equity, relocation stipend, and full-time role to build GSI from the first commit.
Hired into the GSI founding team with equity, remote working contract, and same core opportunities to develop GSI systems.
Skip the line. Direct introductions, portfolio context, and hiring fast-track to partner startups and tech firms across Africa.
Final partner list publishes alongside applications on August 1. If you'd like to be on it — academic, community, startup or Web3 — we're listening.
Anything we've missed? Email buildathon@globalsouthindex.org — the team gets back within 24 hours.
Applications are open now. Three days to ship. Two founding jobs on the line. One stage in Port Harcourt.
Apply now →