In a string of firsts this year, I applied to be part of an innovation challenge run by the government. I have always liked how NSW Government in Australia had a lot of public data available via APIs. In the last five years, I have wanted to build an app using these APIs, and when I read about the challenge, I started thinking of ideas around the theme of the challenge.

I also did not want to do this alone and asked my good friend James to join in and help think more about the idea. We have been thinking of projects we can work together on, and when the innovation challenge presented itself, I asked him, and I was happy when he agreed to join in.

Going through the APIs, reading the Innovation Challenge Brief, understanding the problem, thinking of solutions has been an interesting change from the day-to-day. Filling in the application together has also been good for getting to think more about the problem and the solution.

Hoping to get selected and getting to build the app. Maybe we should build the app regardless.