Facebook hosts inaugural "Hackers Cup"

SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook is challenging software hotshots around the world to show their mettle in the online social networking king's first " Hackers Cup."

Facebook is taking its tradition of all-night "hackathons" to a higher level with an international coding competition promising top contenders cash, glory, and a free trip to the company's Northern California headquarters.

The contest consists of a set of online rounds that kick off in January and a final round in March held at Facebook's campus in the Silicon Valley city of Palo Alto.

Facebook will pay for the top 25 contestants in the online rounds to come to California for the final stage of the competition.

The first place finisher is promised 5,000 dollars and will no doubt catch the eye of recruiters at Facebook. Details about the contest can be found at a Hackers Cup page at Facebook.