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.

Organizing the Ideal Hackathon for Your Participants: A Quick Guide

Posted on

September 1, 2022

Organizing an event can have various goals in mind, from high attendance to considerable profits. As for a hackathon, there are several goals that you can achieve. One main point would be to encourage participants to have a fruitful experience while honing many tech talents during their journey.

Creating a hackathon where everyone's destined to fail isn't the ideal way. Procure the opposite and host meaningful hackathons where participants can have fun and express themselves. Allow participants to have a chance at creating a good product and possibly winning the event.

Here's a short guide about how you can best organize the ideal hackathon for coders, developers, and other participants:

1) Think About Your Target Audience

Think about your target audience when you're organizing an event such as a hackathon. It's important to know what your participants are thinking, what they like and what they're comfortable with.

You'll be able to understand your target audience once you've surveyed in advance, from the location to the rules. Running a survey will allow you to get information about your participants to know more about them.

2) Have Quality Mentors Ready

If you seek to have a winning hackathon, you better have quality mentors available. A good hackathon can only be possible if you have the right teachers who are willing to invest their time in guiding participants and answering their queries.

Along with that, make sure to have another group of mentors who are can interact with the audience, providing both knowledge and entertainment. If the event is a fun one, the audience should feel engaged rather than bored.

3) Provide Platforms for Communication

Hackathons are events where you can find different tech professionals collaborating with one another for a project. Allow people to connect with like-minded individuals by suggesting other communication platforms.

Having platforms for communication such as chat rooms or channels on Slack or Discord can help out discourse. It will be an avenue for participants to ask questions, seek out mentors and learn more about each other.

4) Allow Edits Before Final Submission

When you're organizing a hackathon with participants from around the world, there's a chance that many people will submit the same idea. Make sure to give them a chance at changing their entries and make edits before the final submission.

Giving participants a chance to edit their submissions will help them make a better product they can be proud of. It will also provide them with a chance at making the final product look presentable before the final submission.

5) Utilize Good Events Platforms

You can make any event simpler if you have the right event management platform. There are a lot of platforms that you can use for organizing a hackathon, so it's best to choose the one that you think is best for you and your participants - and Hackathon.com can help with that!

Your chosen platform should allow you to control the event while keeping everything organized. Consider tapping into a network to promote your hackathon and connect with other organizers and participants too. Contact us today and we are happy to get you started, even if it is just coming up with an idea.

Host a Hackathon

Organizing a hackathon isn't an easy feat, but the efforts you put into arranging and hosting the event will be worth it when you see how the event turns out. Tech talent is sure to blossom when they're in the right environment.
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Looking to organize your own hackathon event? Hackathon.com is the best resource for tools, ideas and information on hosting your own hackathon event, as well as helping you put it together. Check out our Corporate Services page for more information.

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