A presentation at Hackcon III in in San Francisco, CA, USA by Shy Ruparel
How to Throw A Hackathon @ShyRuparel NYCWiC | April 8th 2016
Github.com/Shy/talks
Shy @SHyrUparel Deputy Commissioner Major League Hacking
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WHAT is a Hackathon?
Hackathon = Invention + Marathon The word hackathon is a portmanteau of the words hack and marathon, where hack is used in the sense of playful, exploratory programming, not its alternate meaning as a reference to computer crime. — Wikipedia
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Students arrive by bus, train, They spend the next 24-36 Students demo projects and plane. They pitch ideas hours intensely focused on science-fair style. The top and form teams organically building and designing their hacks demo on stage in front and get straight to work on hack projects. There are breaks of the audience and a panel of bringing their ideas to life. for meals and fun mini-events. judges to determine a winner.
expert mentors
I wish I could have attended hackathons as a student. As a mentor, I'm glad I can help the next generation of programmers discover their passions, learn new skills, try out concepts they have learned in class, and build real applications that real people can interact with. — John Britton (GitHub Education Lead)
Science-Fair style expos
WHAT Does a Hackathon Look Like?
how popular are hackathons?
Extremely and still growing
2015
200+ Major League Hacking Member Events in 2016
80,000 Students just like you.
10,000+ IDEAS BROUGHT TO LIFE
The sponsors The world’s top brands participate as sponsors at our hackathons. Many sponsors send mentors and recruiters.
Why Should you Organize A Hackathon?
skills organizers learn Student organizers gain experience planning a large scale event and collaborating with many stakeholders. managing and participating on a team managing finances interacting with corporations on a professional level fundraising event planning and logistics marketing
How to Throw A Hackathon @ShyRuparel NYCWiC | April 8th 2016
Let’s talk about... Hackathon Planning
Organizing a Hackathon is not Easy
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how long does it take to plan a hackathon?
Most Hackathons are planned in 4-9 Months
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Finding a Venue
Types of Hacker Spaces
large room
Smaller Rooms
Wifi
4 devices per attendee
Power
2.5 Outlets Per Hacker
Tables
Audio/Visual
Cost
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Finalize Your Team
Establish a Brand
Start working on Sponsorship
Sponsorship is Hard
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Start your Promotion
Line Up Prizes
Find Mentors, Judges, and Volunteers
Source your Workshops
Pros/Cons
Pros/Cons
Pros/Cons
Launch Registration
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Establish a Headcount
Lets talk about Attrition
Schedule Transport
Order Swag
Order Food
Catering vs. Local Restaurants
Release a Schedule
Planning for an Emergency
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Send Reminders
Over-communicate
Prepare your Volunteers
Buy Snacks
Create a Run of Show
Run of Show
Plan to Sleep
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Event Setup
Establish Registration
Welcome and check in attendees
Welcome Sponsors
Put out Food
Do a Tech Check
Double Check Power & Wifi
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Set the Tone
Welcome
API Demos
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Team Formation
Maintain Energy
Be Visible
Hungry Hackers
Stop and look around
Project Submissions
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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Presentations or Expo?
Presentation Style
Expo Style
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Stack Ranking
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Respect Participants Time
Tech Check and Practise
Thank Everyone
Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event
Sleep
Follow Up
Settle the Books
Success Stories
LETS DO this AGAIN!
Guide.mlh.io
Github.com/Shy/talks
In this talk, I run down how to organize and throw a hackathon.
The following resources were mentioned during the presentation or are useful additional information.
for free. You
can too.