What is the purpose of a hackathon?

Hackathons are not single-purpose events, but rather multifaceted opportunities for both the host organization(s) and participants to achieve a diverse set of objectives. Some of the most common applications for the host(s) include; discovering business solutions, accelerated product/service launch, staff training and engagement, canvassing for new talent, and improved developer relations.

What happens during a hackathon?

A hackathon is a versatile competition that brings together creative thinkers to solve various problems in a predetermined (typically short) amount of time. There is a wide variety of hackathon event structures but the typical framework is as follows; 1. The event challenges, objectives, rules, parameters and timelines are clearly defined by the host organization(s), 2. Members from ideal/target demographics are invited and encouraged to participate, 3. Participants form teams of 4-6 people, 4. Teams work to find creative solutions to the challenge and build a prototype of their concept, 5. Once complete teams demonstrate their product to a panel of expert judges, 6. Winners are announced and prizes awarded, the organizer announces the winning team

Why is it called a hackathon?

The term “hackathon” is an amalgamation (more formally known as a portmanteau) of the words “hacker” and “marathon”. A “hacker” generally refers to computer programmers, designers, innovators, and other domain experts. The marathon component is derived from the short time frame in which most hackathons are structured. Challenges typically push participants to work for extended hours without sleep in order to complete their prototype. The term hackathon was first coined in Calgary, Canada, on June 4, 1999 for the OpenBSD Hackathon. Check out our article What is a Hackathon?

How long is a hackathon?

Typically hackathons run for 24-48 hours depending on the expected outcome, however some extend beyond this typical frame if more extensive prototyping is needed.

How do I prepare for my first hackathon?

1. Study and explore previous hackathons by the host organization and winning solutions. These insights will help you to anticipate the types of challenges you’ll face, 2. Determine where to find the resources you will need during the hackathon, 3. Learn how to effectively work in teams, by attributing the right task to the individual with the correct skillset, 4. Explore and research the host organization’s industry

Are hackathons worth it?

Hackathons offer added value to both organizers and attendees. They are a great option when looking to find and assess business solutions, work with startups, train your staff, build a talent pool or launch a new product/service. As an attendee it’s a chance to network with others in similar fields, bring your ideas to life, learn new skills, or push outside your comfort zone and improve your skills.

Who can take part in Hackathon?

Each hackathon is unique and may or may not have specific prerequisites. Some events are open to anyone interested, while others may be specific to students, those with particular certifications or credentials, for example. It’s best to explore the guidelines before registering.

4 Criteria to Apply When Judging a Hackathon

Posted on

September 1, 2022

When you're running a hackathon, not only do you have to come up with the theme, challenges, and tools for the hackathon, but you also need to judge the winners. However, when it comes to knowing who did better, you might find yourself at a loss. How does one know which group presented a solution better? Is it one with the most innovation? Is it one that looks the most interesting? Well, those are just some of the many criteria to have to pick the right hackathon winners!

So, as a judge, here are the criteria you need to be applying to judge a hackathon properly:

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1. Does It Offer Any Value to Businesses?

Even if a hackathon is meant to be fun, you need to significantly consider the hackathon participants that have something relevant to businesses. For instance, do they have an excellent idea for improving productivity? That's something that can be of interest to businesses that are looking to streamline their workflow. Is there a way to improve the consumer experience? That's also a valuable solution, which would work well for businesses.

So, you're probably looking for something that has something that's of value to businesses.

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2. Does It Make People Go, "Wow?"

If you're looking to make people go, "wow," you'll have to apply this in your evaluation. It's very simple. Just consider the wow factor of the hackathon participants. If they have a solution to a problem that many people have, then they'd probably get a lot of folks saying, "wow," at the idea.

However, if the solution is meant for a niche group of people, then you probably wouldn't get that many people saying "wow."

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3. Can It Be Done in the Real World?

When it comes to judging hacks, you'll want some which are practical enough to be used in the real world. For example, if the solution is neat, it's certainly practical enough, just like how you can use an iPhone app. Of course, there are those that have a more limited application, like those apps meant to be used in hospitals only. However, if the hackathon participants have a practical solution that can be used in the real world, you'll definitely be interested in the solution.

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4. Was It the Most Innovative Solution?

The hackathon participants must show you a solution that has the highest degree of innovation. But how can you determine that? Well, you can ask yourself this question: what are the ways in which the hackathon participants have solved the problem?

For instance, if they have figured out a solution to a problem that you haven't thought of, they get a lot of points, allowing them to win the hackathon.

So, by asking yourself, "what are the ways in which the hackathon associates have solved the problem?" and then finding the answer, you can easily determine the most innovative solution.

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Pick the Right Winners for Your Hackathons!

Hopefully, these tips will help you determine the best participants in your hackathon. Of course, you can't use just one criterion to determine which team is the best. You have to consider the overall picture to get a better idea of how good each team did, helping you to make the most educated decision possible on who did best in the hackathon!

Hackathon.com is the world's largest online hackathon community, connecting millions of members who live and breathe hackathons. If you are looking for the best hackathon ideas and more for your hackathons, reach out to us today!

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