TROY – Automation Alley is hosting a 24-hour hackathon to benefit the city of Detroit and is inviting the region?s brightest and best coders and computer programmers to participate for a grand prize of $5,000.

The event, titled #hack4detroit, will take place at Grand Circus Detroit, June 12-13, from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will challenge hackers to solve a technology problem in the city by building an app for a worthy cause.

Last year, teams were challenged to build an app for Detroit Public Library and two interns from Detroit Venture Partners went home with the $5,000 grand prize. Stay tuned to see what the coders will work on this year.

?Automation Alley is committed to fostering innovation and being a partner in Detroit, a city full of talented and creative minds. Last year?s event to benefit Detroit Public Library was extremely successful and we?re excited to partner with another worthy organization this year. We can?t wait to see what our participating #hack4detroit coders will create,? said Diane DeForest, Automation Alley director of events and marketing. ?The developers of the winning app are not only receiving a great cash prize, but they are also giving back to the Detroit community in a charitable way. We?d like to thank Grand Circus Detroit for partnering with us to make this event possible.?

#hack4detroit will include breakfast and lunch. The cost to participate is $20. Participation is limited to 65 people. Registration closes June 5.

Apps will be judged by Beth Niblock, CIO of the City of Detroit, Sean Hurwitz, CEO of Pixo, and others. Sponsors include Comcast, Delphix and Digerati.

Automation Alley?s Detroit office is located inside Grand Circus Detroit on the 4th floor of Broderick Tower, 1570 Woodward Ave. Parking is located in the Detroit Opera House parking structure next door.

To register, or to sponsor #hack4detroit, click on AutomationAlley.Com