> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cortensor.network/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cortensor.network/community-and-ecosystem/contests/product-demo-video-contest-testnet-phase-2.md). # Product Demo Video Contest (Testnet Phase #2) **Status:** Announced – **Submission Window: Jan 26 → Feb 23, 2026**\ **Scope:** Testnet-0 Dashboard · Product Demo Videos (1–2 minutes)\ **Dashboard:** [https://dashboard-testnet1a.cortensor.network/](https://dashboard-testnet0.cortensor.network/) *** #### Overview With **Testnet Phase #1 completed** and the **Testnet-1a dashboard** now refined for end-to-end flows, this is a good moment to showcase Cortensor from a **product** point of view — not just from infra or code. To do that, we’re running a **Product Demo Video Contest** during **Testnet Phase #2**, focused on: * How the **Testnet-1a dashboard actually behaves in practice** * How node operators, developers, and observers experience Cortensor day to day * Collecting feedback on what still feels confusing or missing This is lighter-weight than a hackathon: you’re not building a new app, you’re **telling the story** of the product as it exists today. *** #### What We’re Looking For Short, **story-style product demos**, not just UI fly-throughs. **Video length:** * \~**1–2 minutes** per submission **Suggested perspectives (pick one or mix):** * **Node Operator View** * How you see capacity, rewards, and performance * What matters on the dashboard (uptime, precommit, rankings, node status, etc.) * **Developer View** * How you trigger and monitor sessions & tasks * How you use long-context, model selection, and parameters * How you’d explain the dashboard to another developer integrating Cortensor * **Observer / Ecosystem View** * “What is Cortensor?” explained *through* the dashboard * How Testnet-1a behaves under load or during live testing * How nodes, sessions, tasks, and payments fit together visually **Accessibility:** * Please **include captions or on-screen text** so the video is understandable without sound. *** #### Why Now We’ve just completed a round of **UI/UX refinements** around: * Testnet-1a **dashboard flows** * End-to-end **task execution and monitoring** * **Node/operator visibility** and basic metrics The contest helps us: * **Showcase** the dashboard in real usage, not just static screenshots * **Collect feedback** on what’s confusing, missing, or hard to discover * **Highlight community perspectives** on how Cortensor feels as a product *** #### Submission Guidelines **Content** * Must primarily feature the **Testnet-1a dashboard**\ * Focus on a **clear narrative**: * Who you are (operator / dev / observer) * What you’re showing * Why it matters for Cortensor * Realistic flows only – no fake data or misleading claims **Format** * 16:9 or vertical is fine; UI elements must be clearly readable * **1–2 minutes** total runtime * Captions or readable on-screen annotations required **How to Submit (Important)** To make sure your entry is counted, please follow **all three** steps: 1. **Quote-post** the official contest announcement on X with your **product demo video** attached. 2. In your quote post, include both tags: * `#Cortensor` * `#CortensorProductVideo` 3. After posting on X, **share the X link** in our Discord **#social-posts** channel:\ Only entries that complete **all three steps** (quote post + tags + Discord link) will be considered for judging and prizes. **Who Can Participate** * Open to **Cortensor community members** who are: * Building on or running nodes against the **Testnet-1a dashboard** during Phase #2 * Actively using the dashboard in a realistic way (operators, devs, ecosystem contributors) *** #### Judging & Awarding Policy Placements **aren’t automatic or first-come** — they’re decided by the Cortensor team based on **quality, clarity, and usefulness** of the demo (how well it explains the dashboard and flows). **Quality over rank** Prizes are **not** awarded strictly by “first to submit,” view count, or any numerical leaderboard. Cortensor will judge qualified demo videos based on: * **Overall quality and clarity** * How clearly the video explains what’s happening on the **Testnet-1a dashboard**\ () * Pacing, structure, and how easy it is to follow (with captions/on-screen text). * **Impact and storytelling** * How well the demo tells a story: *who* is using Cortensor, *what* they’re doing, and *why it matters*. * Does a new viewer “get” Cortensor in 1–2 minutes? * **Technical accuracy and depth** * Are the flows shown (sessions, tasks, node views, rewards, etc.) **technically correct** for Testnet-1a? * No unrealistic claims or invented behavior; demos should reflect how the dashboard actually works. * **Usability and product explanation** * How well the demo explains *how to use* the dashboard: * Where to click * What key metrics mean * How to interpret results or task runs * Could a new node operator or developer watch this and feel more confident using the product? * **Alignment with Cortensor’s roadmap and positioning** * Does the video portray Cortensor as **decentralized AI infrastructure** (miners, router, sessions, validation), not just “another UI”? * Bonus if it connects naturally to Testnet phases, decentralized inference, or verifiable AI — without over-promising. **Discretionary placement** * Judges may award a prize to **any qualified entry** at a given place. * Example: a later submission that’s clearly higher quality may receive 1st or 2nd place. **No guarantee to fill all places** * Cortensor may **withhold or reallocate** any prize tier if submissions do not meet the expected quality bar. **Internal decision** * Final decisions are made **internally by the Cortensor team** and are not subject to appeal. *** #### Prize Pool (in $COR equivalent) Updated prize pool for this contest: * **1st place:** $150 * **2nd place:** $100 * **3rd place:** $50 * **4th–5th place:** $25 each These are **thank-you rewards** for high-quality demos that help explain Cortensor to future users, node operators, and developers. *** #### Timeline * **Submission Window:**\ **Jan 26 → Feb 23, 2026** * **Who’s Eligible:**\ Anyone **building on or running against** the **Testnet-0 dashboard** during **Testnet Phase #2**. * **Details & Reminders:** * Ongoing reminders and updates will be posted via: * Telegram / Discord * X ([@Cortensor](https://x.com/Cortensor)) * Docs updates You can already start planning your walkthrough — the goal is to **show how the Testnet-1a dashboard works in real usage** and help the next wave of operators and developers onboard faster.