Europe’snew, unique CTF competition
Mine the matrix is a two-round, individual CTF dedicated to Europe’s most talented cybersec enthusiasts, hosted by Hack the Box, organized and sponsored by Bending Spoons.
Are you a European citizen, or living in Europe? You can’t wait to prove your hacking chops? Then apply now!
Winners will be announced at an exclusive awards ceremony, hosted at the Bending Spoons HQ in Milan, Italy.
Total prizes: €10,000
1
First place
€5,000
2
Second place
€3,000
3
Third place
€2,000
All expenses (including travel and accommodation) are covered by Bending Spoons.
The contest
October 19, 2024
Remote qualifiers
At 8:45 am on October 19, 2024 you’ll receive a link to access the contest on the Hack the Box platform. You’ll then have 12 hours to tackle up to 8 challenges.
November 30, 2024
Finals in Milan, Italy
The 30 best contestants will be invited to the Bending Spoons HQ on November 30, to compete in person in a final, 6-hour round of challenges.
Why participate
in mine the matrix?
Prove your hacker skills
Compete with the best in the game and test your skills with the finest cybersec challenges on the market.
Big money prizes
There’s €10,000 in total gross prizes. Third place will get you €2,000, second place will get you €3,000, and if you rank first overall, you’ll take home a whopping €5,000.
Network with the best
Meet other incredibly talented hackers, and have the opportunity to share your passion with like-minded peers.
All expenses paid
Travel, accommodation, food, drinks, activities—it’s all paid for by Bending Spoons, sponsor and organizer of the event.
Made by
Bending Spoons
Bending Spoons was founded in 2013 and is based in Milan, Italy. The company has served over half a billion people across the globe through its suite of digital technology products, including Evernote, Meetup, Remini, and Splice.
The venue
The brand-new Bending Spoons HQ in Milan, at Via Nino Bonnet 10.
FAQ
Where and when does mine the matrix take place?
The mine the matrix qualifiers will take place online on October 19, 2024, while the finals and the awards ceremony will take place at the Bending Spoons HQ, Via Nino Bonnet, 10, 20154 Milan, Italy, on November 30, 2024.
Who is welcome to attend mine the matrix?
Everybody over the age of 18 who lives in Europe or is a European citizen is welcome to apply. As there is limited capacity, applications will be evaluated according to each candidate's demonstrated passion for cybersecurity and related subjects.
Which tools can I use?
You may use any tool you have at your disposal, and creativity is strongly encouraged.
How will prizes be assigned?
The total prize pool is €10,000. As soon as the qualifiers end, the top 30 participants are invited to attend the finals and awards in Milan. The highest ranking participant at the finals will win €5,000, the second will win €3,000, and the third will win €2,000. We’ll transfer the prize money to the bank accounts of the winning participants within 15 working days after the awards ceremony. Payment will take place after we’ve received all your relevant personal data. See the rules for full details.
How much will it cost me?
Mine the matrix is completely free for all participants. For the finals and awards in Milan, everything will be covered by Bending Spoons, including travel costs, meals, and accommodation. If you're going to reach Milan by train or by plane, you'll book the ticket through our partner and we'll purchase it for you.
How can I apply?
Applications remain open until 11.59 pm on September 30, 2024. You can apply using the big button above. We reserve the right to close the application window earlier and at any time. When applying, you’ll be asked to provide your full name, a contact email, your nationality, and your LinkedIn profile.
Apply now