Hackathons

A New Era of Code

Vibe coding is a new method of using natural language prompts and AI tools to generate code. I have seen firsthand that this change makes software more accessible to everyone. In the past, being able to produce functional code was a strong advantage for developers. Today, when code is produced quickly through AI, the true value lies in designing, refining, and optimizing systems. Our role now goes beyond writing code; we must also ensure that our systems remain efficient and reliable.

From Machine Language to Natural Language

I recall the early days when every line of code was written manually. We progressed from machine language to high-level programming, and now we are beginning to interact with our tools using natural language. This development does not only increase speed but also changes how we approach problem solving. Product managers can now create working demos in hours instead of weeks, and founders have a clearer way of pitching their ideas with functional prototypes. It is important for us to rethink our role as developers and focus on architecture and system design rather than simply on typing c

The Promise and the Pitfalls

I have experienced both sides of vibe coding. In cases where the goal was to build a quick prototype or a simple internal tool, AI-generated code provided impressive results. Teams have been able to test new ideas and validate concepts much faster. However, when it comes to more complex systems that require careful planning and attention to detail, the output from AI can be problematic. I have seen situations where AI produces large volumes of code that become difficult to manage without significant human intervention.

AI-powered coding tools like GitHub Copilot and AWS’s Q Developer have demonstrated significant productivity gains. For instance, at the National Australia Bank, it’s reported that half of the production code is generated by Q Developer, allowing developers to focus on higher-level problem-solving . Similarly, platforms like Lovable or Hostinger Horizons enable non-coders to build viable tech businesses using natural language prompts, contributing to a shift where AI-generated code reduces the need for large engineering teams. However, there are challenges. AI-generated code can sometimes be verbose or lack the architectural discipline required for complex systems. While AI can rapidly produce prototypes or simple utilities, building large-scale systems still necessitates experienced engineers to refine and optimize the code.​

The Economic Impact

The democratization of code generation is altering the economic landscape of software development. As AI tools become more prevalent, the value of average coding skills may diminish, potentially affecting salaries for entry-level positions. Conversely, developers who excel in system design, architecture, and optimization are likely to see increased demand and compensation.​
Seizing the Opportunity

Vibe coding is most beneficial in areas such as rapid prototyping and building simple applications or internal tools. It frees up valuable time that we can then invest in higher-level tasks such as system architecture, security, and user experience. When used in the right context, AI becomes a helpful partner that accelerates the development process without replacing the need for skilled engineers.

This is revolutionizing our craft, much like the shift from machine language to assembly to high-level languages did in the past. AI can churn out code at lightning speed, but remember, “Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.” Use AI for rapid prototyping, but it’s your expertise that transforms raw output into robust, scalable software. By honing our skills in design and architecture, we ensure our work remains impactful and enduring. Let’s continue to learn, adapt, and build software that stands the test of time.​

Ready to streamline your recruitment process? Get a free demo to explore cutting-edge solutions and resources for your hiring needs.

One of the most widely used programming languages in the world, C++ is about 4 decades old. In comparison, Blockchain tech only arrived at the scene sometime in 2008, and is still considered comparatively ‘new’.

Developers and companies alike are still learning how to adopt Blockchain. One of the ways to disseminate information about the tech is via industry conferences which help Blockchain developers network with and learn from their peers.

But, is a Blockchain conference enough to fulfill this goal of interaction, adoption, and learning?

What is the best way to calculate the ROI from these conferences? What should the organizers do after the conference is completed?

Well the answer in our opinion is, conduct a hackathon to understand the uptake of information by developers who attended said conference, and help them utilize their newfound knowledge in practical ways to reach a defined ROI.

Let’s understand everything about hackathons vs conference, and how a Blockchain hackathon can be fruitful for your industry.

What are conferences?

Conferences are events where people with similar interests or professional backgrounds exchange ideas, share knowledge, network, and discuss industry-related topics.

Typically, conferences cover varied subjects such as technology, science, medicine, business, education, the arts, and more.

Usually, these events are organized at a large scale, attracting hundreds or even thousands of participants. They usually take place in a physical or virtual environment.

By attending these conferences, professionals can stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in their domain, find potential collaborators or partners, and broaden their network within a particular industry.

Talking about conferences, HackerEarth organized a tech conference in 2022 called Hire 1(0)1 for hiring managers and recruiters to help them build great tech teams. In this 2-day tech conference, HackerEarth invited keynote speakers who participated in the panel discussion to share their perspective.

Read more here: Hire 10 (1): 6 Takeaways From The Biggest Tech Conference in 2022

Here’s what happens in a conference:

• Presentations/Keynote Speeches: Speakers present their research, projects, or insights into the conference’s main theme or relevant subtopics. Presentations can be keynote speeches, panels, workshops, or poster sessions.
• Workshops: Subject matter experts share insights on topics of their expertise—imparting industry-specific knowledge into the attendees.
• Networking: Attendees can connect with professionals in their field.
• Exhibitions: Many conferences include an exhibition area where companies, organizations, and research groups showcase their products, services, or projects related to the conference’s focus.

What are hackathons?

Hackathons are social coding events where developers, designers, and other tech enthusiasts come together to collaboratively work on projects, solve problems, and build innovation.

They focus on ideation, or even software development of a specific product in a niche industry. They are organized by companies who want to accomplish a specific goal such as creating brand awareness or hiring developers.

Some hackathons are standalone events, while others are part of larger conferences or tech festivals.

With the rise of virtual events and online collaboration tools, many hackathons have also been conducted in fully remote or hybrid environments. This allows participants from different geographical locations to join in the event.

Here’s what happens in hackathons vs conference:

• Building a prototype: Participants work in teams or individually to create a functioning prototype or a minimum viable product (MVP) within the given timeframe. The atmosphere is often fast-paced and intense, fostering creativity and collaboration.
• Problem-solving projects: Participants are given a problem-solving statement. They need to address the problem through and provide the solution in the form of their project.
• Learning and skill development: Participants learn about new technologies, programming languages, or tools. Here, they can experiment with cutting-edge technologies and apply their skills to real-world problems.
• Networking: Participants can network with professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Project review: At the end of the hackathon, teams present their projects to a panel of judges. Judges evaluate the projects based on criteria such as innovation, functionality, creativity, and feasibility and announce the winning team.
• Prizes and recognition: Many hackathons offer prizes, awards, or recognition to winning teams. These include cash prizes, access to resources, fundings or opportunities for further development.

Also, read: The Complete Guide to Organizing a Hackathon

How are conferences different from hackathons?

While conferences and hackathons appeal to be similar in nature, they are largely very different from each other in reality. Here’s what you should know about hackathons vs conference.

Conferences

Hackathons

At conferences, people can exchange ideas, build their professional network and deliver educational presentations and workshopsAt hackathons, along with networking and exchanging ideas, people can collaborate on projects and build product prototypes.The interaction at conferences is one-way—the speakers or panelists interact with the audience.The interaction at hackathons is two-way and one-on-one—participants can interact with the organizers and companies directly.Conferences give indirect ROI such as brand partnerships and new customers leading to increased revenue.Hackathons give direct ROI such as new hires, a product prototype or innovative ideas for a specific problem-solving statement.Conferences last for a few hours to days. For example, 2 days.Hackathons last for a few days to weeks and even months. For example, 3 months.

Why should Blockchain industries consider hackathons?

Blockchain companies who are *only* leveraging conferences to impart knowledge about the Blockchain industry need to rethink, and restructure their events. It’s time for them to consider hackathons vs conference to make their events more engaging, and ROI-driven.

Below are some reasons that will encourage you to host Blockchain hackathons (as part of your Blockchain conferences or as standalone events!).

• Product adoption: Companies invite developers to use their product, and improve it for better using their innovative ideas. For instance, coming up with an innovative feature that can be added to the product or app.

• User awareness: Companies organizing Blockchain hackathons can educate users about specific features of their Web3 app. They can talk about its benefits and the use cases as well.

• Building ecosystem: By inviting developers to solve a problem, share innovative ideas or build technologies in the Blockchain industry, you are building a network of Blockchain developers.

• Funding app ecosystem: Developers and founders developing Web3 technology can get funding for their ideas and efforts. For example, Web3athon 2023 offered $2,00,000 grants to developers building Web3 solutions.
• Innovation: To solve a specific problem in the Blockchain industry, developers can build disruptive technology.

Also, watch: Decrypting Blockchain Innovation

Examples of Blockchain hackathons by HackerEarth with proven impact

Below we have shared virtual Blockchain hackathons hosted by different Blockchain companies to build an ecosystem of Blockchain developers, and even fund their ideas.

Buidl

This hackathon, hosted by Coinbase Cloud, Polygon and Coindesk aimed at sourcing incredible ideas for Web3 innovations, and even funding them.

Image Source

Impact: Received 5,821 registrations

Web3athon

Web3athon is an annual, multi-Blockchain, virtual hackathon hosted by Consensus with partners Alchemy University and HackerEarth to build better, scalable products that use Web3 to provide appropriate solutions. With this hackathon, 6 teams building five Blockchain ecosystems will take home $2,00.000 grants.

This hackathon, which concluded after 14 weeks, offered $80,000 in prizes, and had 17 sponsors aimed at bringing more developers to Web3 through partner grant programs.

Image Source

Impact: Received over 6,000 registrations; 378 ideas in stage 1 and 163 projects submitted in stage 2.

Also, read: 15 Hackathon Ideas for Blockchain

Why did these Blockchain hackathons work?

Blockchain hackathons vs conference work better because they are more interactive and encourage the attendees to participate in the event, which rarely happens in conferences. But there are more reasons too. Let’s discover them:

• Innovation and creativity: Hackathons are a breeding ground for innovative and creative ideas. Blockchain technology is still relatively new, and hackathons allow participants to explore its potential applications in various industries and domains.
• Focused environment to learn: Hackathons offer a focused environment where participants can work intensely on their projects for a limited period. This concentrated effort can lead to rapid progress and viable prototypes or proof-of-concept development.
• Mentoring and collaborative learning: Participants at Blockchain hackathons often come from diverse backgrounds, including developers, designers, business professionals, and subject matter experts. We ensure that hackathons have AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions with experts, and participants are encouraged to connect with each other on Discord and other forums so that they can learn from each other’s experiences and understand the technology via hands-on learning.
• Community and exposure: Many hackathons provide mentorship and support from experienced professionals in the blockchain space. These mentors can guide participants, share insights, and help refine their ideas and implementations. This exposure allows participants to showcase their projects to potential investors, collaborators, or employers.
• Potential for real-world implementation: Some hackathons are organized in collaboration with industry partners actively looking for innovative solutions to real-world problems. This increases the chances of successful projects getting further development and implementation opportunities.
• Open source culture: The open-source nature of many blockchain projects allows participants to build upon existing frameworks and contribute their work back to the community. This collaborative approach encourages continuous improvement and accelerates development.

How HackerEarth can help you maximize ROI from Blockchain hackathons?

Rootstock and Web3athon used HackerEarth’s Hackathon platform to host their virtual hackathon. This helped them manage everything end-to-end—from creating a landing page for their hackathon to promoting each hackathon to HackerEarth’s community of 7.8 million developers across the globe.

Just like them, HackerEarth can help you organize your next Blockchain hackathon as part of your industry conference or as a standalone event. Our team of experts can help you with:

• Creating a unique problem statement and theme for the event
• Managing participation and promotion activities
• Assessing and evaluating entries and submissions
• Feedback, mentoring, and learning activities at the event
• Creating unique IP (Intellectual Property) that can be used by your company to build actual products with real-world implications
• Helping developers understand your Blockchain tech or product and encourage adoption

Ready to create your next Blockchain hackathon? Book a demo with HackerEarth.

When a company allows writers to contribute guest blog posts, their goal is not just to get an in-depth researched article for free on their blog. They focus on:

• Getting backlinks
• Encouraging writers to share their work

Result? To increase their website’s traffic, be seen by their target audience, and increase brand awareness. The same is true for companies that organize hackathons.

However, many companies still don’t understand how online hackathons can help improve a product’s development.

Let’s break the ice and understand:

• How participating in hackathons can improve automation by re-using code.

• The common mistakes companies make while hosting, which you can avoid.

What is a hackathon?

According to Techopedia, a hackathon is a gathering where programmers collaboratively code in an extreme manner over a short period. In simple words, a hackathon organized by companies brings experts together from different domains to drive innovations.

Modern-day hackathons include:

• Sponsors
• Partners
• Recruiters

They engage with participants through interactive workshops and presentations.

For example, HackerEarth organized a global hackathon called Web3athon. It was a 2-month long event sponsored by 16 crypto and web3 brands with different themes and multiple prizes for the winners.

There are two types of hackathons that you can host:

• Internal hackathons: They give companies’ employees a chance to experiment with upcoming technology and stay up-to-date with technology.

• External hackathons: They are organized by the company where they engage with people outside the company to change company culture, improve customer experience, and find new talent and revenue opportunities.

How can participating in an online hackathon improve the development of new solutions?

Participants in hackathons develop code based on the problem statement provided by the company.

Hackathon prototypes and coding solutions can be used by the company hosting the event to create a new solution in the future-either partially or fully functional. Ensure to have a clause in the terms mentioning that the IP belongs to the company, which means it owns all the code created at that event. You can then store all these coded solutions in a common repository and later re-use them to automate any existing or new processes. This way automation becomes easy and you do not have to build a product from scratch, making the code more efficient.

For example, a 36-hour hackathon was conducted to address 6 IoT-based challenges. For this, each team was provided with an educational IoT kit that consisted of cloud computing services and IoT templates that the participants could access and represent the specific architecture for digital solutions. When the results of the event rolled out, one of the sponsoring companies decided to use the digital solution to upgrade their legacy refrigerators making hackathons a cost-effective and innovative asset

Another option to use online hackathons to your advantage would be to organize internal hackathons within your company. This would foster creativity, produce new solutions that are stored for future use, and when needed, tap into your common repository of code to further create a different solution.

However, you need to be mindful of what code you are planning to re-use as directly copying code snippets from public forums like GitHub or StackOverflow is considered unethical.

Common mistakes to avoid when hosting coding hackathons

While conducting hackathons is the gateway to developing the prototype of your product, hosting the event requires a lot more effort—which sometimes leads to certain mistakes.

Here are 5 mistakes you should be aware of and prepare yourself for before hosting a hackathon.

Mistake #1: Not setting hackathon goals

Without a goal in place, you cannot expect your online hackathon to be successful. Before you host the hackathon, it’s critical to be clear on your goals and your expectations of the event.

• To build brand awareness

• To keep your developer community engaged

• To help developers keep their skills polished

• Is it to hire candidates?

Decide what you want to achieve with this hackathon. Then, outline every detail of the hackathon: time frame of the event, sponsors, guests, type of event (internal or open; virtual or physical), and specialty of the project.

Mistake #2: Lack of extended support for participants

Because participants are working on comprehensive projects that require brainstorming, ideation, and execution, you need to provide developers with well-aligned team support.

This could be as simple as conducting a workshop or a virtual webinar before the hackathon. This will give them an overview of the rules and the relevant resources that you can offer them.

For example, for the Web3athon hosted by HackerEarth, participants were provided a Web3athon toolkit inside which a detailed set of guidelines was shared with them on how to register for the hackathon, how to form a team, and how to submit their idea. Images and videos were used to help participants understand each step.

Mistake #3: Using multiple tools for online hackathon management

Imagine using 5 different tools for managing a hackathon. One for chatting with developers, another for managing teams, and the other for rules and instructions and presenting the pitch. Developers working on product development may have to jump from one tool to another. This may leave them confused and frustrated. If you don’t want that to happen, choose a single tool where you can organize every task—a win-win for both you and the developers participating in the hackathon.

We at HackerEarth have conducted countless hackathons in the past decade. And can confidently say, we offer an advanced platform for organizing hackathons. From end-to-end management of the event to getting your company in front of 7M+ qualified developers, we enable you to increase engagement and foster innovation through these events. Go on, try it out for yourself here!

Mistake #4: Set the hackathon time frame based on your expectations

Your expectations of the hackathon are directly proportional to the event’s time frame. If you expect to get a full-fledged product from the hackathon, know this: you can see such results in hackathons with a longer time frame i.e.,1-3 months.

Take a look at this timeline map by IBM which showcases the exact time frame (and dates) based on the stages of the event—gives participants ample time to understand each phase in advance and prepare accordingly.

Mistake #5: Not choosing a realistic online hackathon theme and problem-solving statement

If you want your hackathons to lead in a specific direction and aim for projects that bring you results, you need to decide on two things:

• The theme of the hackathon

• A problem-solving statement you want a solution for

Theme: Select a broad theme since a narrow theme requires much digging and restricts the participants.

Problem-solving statement: To find a real problem-solving statement, ask the organizer to understand the business’ daily struggles and pain points, and come up with a real-time problem-solving statement.

For example, Connecting the Arctic Hackathon by Cassini had the theme “Sustainability” with three different challenges (problem-solving statement).

How do online hackathons benefit developers and help them stay creative?

Helps validate their product

Hackathons help developers gain confidence by giving them a platform to test their product. In an article by YourStory, Ramesh Logathanan, Professor of Practice in Co-innovations at IIT Hyderabad says,

A hackathon gives participants a very good chance to validate their ideas, give it some initial shape, and get some mentor eyeballs on the idea.

Helps them upskill

For most developers, a hackathon is an opportunity to learn and upskill themselves by both trying out new code solutions and interacting with like-minded teams. Since the companies invite experts and conduct workshops and webinars, developers get a chance to learn about various topics—which is an add-on to their learning experience.

Helps connect like-minded people

Hackathons allow developers with diverse backgrounds to share and exchange ideas, which shape their thinking and lead to innovative solutions. In the same article by YourStory, Kolla Krishna Madhavi, Head of Alliances and Strategic Partnerships, School of Accelerated Learning adds,

Hackathons help diverse individuals with varying skills come together as teams to interact, ideate, and collaborate while coming up with disruptive solutions.

Ready to enhance your product development with hackathons?

No doubt why hackathons can feel so much like a battle. From coming up with a theme, to defining the problem-solving statement, to inviting partners and sponsors, everything feels like a daunting task.

But, once you organize each phase, the expectations for the hackathon will make sense. Decide on the themes and problem-solving statements and have the participants build prototypes of the software.

In recent years, multiple avenues have opened up for successful tech hiring and hackathons are one of everyone’s favorites. Apart from helping various tech corporations gain skilled employees, hackathons have also helped generate great ideas that furthered the growth of businesses.

Typically hackathons are external, meaning they are held for individuals who are not part of the company but are seeking to be. On the other hand, internal hackathons are held for individuals who are a part of the company. The duration of these hackathons can be anywhere from a few hours to a few days and are held for several reasons, such as generating innovative ideas and products while improving employee engagement.

What are Internal hackathons?

In simple words, internal hackathons are tech-related events held by companies to drive internal engagement, break the clutter, promote skill development, and help boost innovation within the company.

After a hackathon ends, the winner is decided by a board of jury and is offered a variety of rewards for the same. It could either be an offer to bring their product or software to life or it could be a monetary reward.

Also, read: How Hackathons Can Help You Attract, Engage, Hire, And Train Top Talent

What is the Purpose of an Internal Hackathon?

Internal hackathons serve as a creative platform within an organization to bring together employees from different departments to collaborate, innovate, and solve real business problems. The primary purpose is to stimulate fresh ideas, encourage cross-functional teamwork, and identify hidden talent among employees.

These events foster a culture of innovation and open communication, allowing participants to experiment with new concepts and technologies without the constraints of their regular job roles. Additionally, internal hackathons help companies explore potential solutions to existing problems or uncover new business opportunities that may not have been considered otherwise. By the end of the hackathon, not only does the organization gain novel ideas, but it also boosts employee morale and creates a sense of ownership and pride in contributing to the company’s progress.

How Do You Organize an Internal Hackathon?

Organizing a successful internal hackathon involves careful planning and clear communication. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth and impactful event:

1. Define the Objectives: Start by setting clear goals for the hackathon. Are you looking to solve a specific problem, enhance a product feature, or simply encourage creativity? Defining the purpose will guide all other aspects of planning.
2. Form a Planning Committee: Assemble a small team to handle the logistics, from securing a venue to arranging the necessary tools and technologies. This team will also be responsible for promoting the event internally and managing participants.
3. Set Rules and Themes: Establish the rules, format, and themes for the hackathon. Decide if the event will be open-ended or focused on specific challenges. Make sure the guidelines are clear to encourage meaningful contributions.
4. Select Participants: Open the hackathon to employees across various departments. Diversity in teams can lead to more innovative solutions. To foster collaboration, consider forming teams of employees with different skill sets.
5. Provide Resources: Ensure participants have access to the necessary tools, software, and data to work on their projects. A dedicated workspace, reliable Wi-Fi, and refreshments can go a long way in keeping participants energized and focused.
6. Schedule the Event: Plan a timeline for the hackathon, whether it’s a one-day sprint or spread out over a week. Include time for brainstorming, development, presentation, and judging.
7. Arrange for Judges and Prizes: Invite a panel of judges consisting of executives, department heads, or industry experts to evaluate the projects. Offering prizes or incentives can boost engagement and add an element of friendly competition.
8. Plan Post-Hackathon Activities: After the event, provide teams with feedback, announce winners, and discuss the next steps for implementing viable ideas. This follow-up process helps maintain momentum and shows the company’s commitment to employee-driven innovation.

Types of Internal Hackathons with Examples

Internal hackathons can take on various forms, depending on the goals of the company. Here are a few common types, along with examples:

1. Product Innovation Hackathons:
   Focused on creating new features, improving existing products, or even developing completely new products. For example, a software company might hold a hackathon for its developers to design new app functionalities, with the aim of adding value to the user experience.
2. Process Improvement Hackathons:
   These hackathons aim to streamline internal processes, such as automating repetitive tasks or improving workflow efficiency. An example is a financial institution conducting a hackathon to develop a tool that simplifies data entry and reporting, reducing manual errors.
3. Cultural or Social Good Hackathons:
   These events focus on building a sense of community within the company or working on projects that have a social impact. For instance, a company might host a hackathon where employees develop solutions to make the workplace more inclusive, or tools to support local charitable initiatives.
4. Technical Skill-Building Hackathons:
   Designed to help employees enhance their technical skills in a fun and collaborative way. An example would be an IT company organizing a hackathon to learn and experiment with new technologies like blockchain or artificial intelligence.
5. Cross-Departmental Hackathons:
   Encourages collaboration between different departments, such as marketing, sales, development, and HR, to tackle company-wide challenges. For example, a retailer might hold a hackathon involving both its technical and business teams to find ways to improve customer experience across digital platforms.

By choosing the right type of internal hackathon, companies can align the event’s objectives with their broader strategic goals while providing a rewarding experience for employees.

Benefits of conducting an internal hackathons:

There are great benefits to hosting internal hackathons, let’s take a look at a few of them:

Encourage and drive innovation

Internal hackathons will bring out the best in your employees, there is no doubt about that. With great rewards at stake, you can be sure that every participant will bring out their best game. More often than not, people tend to whip out extremely unique solutions to abstract problems while in a competitive environment.

Hackathon is a cost-effective way of getting every team in the organization involved in hopes of discussing and generating ideas that align with the organization’s goals. Apart from giving innovative minds a much-required boost, it also helps drive engagement.

Improved learning experience

If you are looking to target specific skills then internal hackathons may just be what you need. It gives the employees and other individuals of the company a chance to try out new tools and new frameworks and also allows them to think of a unique solution for abstract problems. It provides the employees with a safe space for them to showcase skills without being under any pressure.

Whatever solution seems to work the best can be incorporated later by the organization’s employees. This way it helps the organization streamline quite a few of its processes as well.

Continued exposure to learning is extremely important for individuals as they do not end up stagnating their skills and capabilities. This further helps the help organization decrease its turnover rates as well.

Inclusion and diversity

Internal hackathons help drive inclusion and diversity. People from different backgrounds and different teams come together to bring about solutions that can further help the organization move forward.

Try to involve the entire organization rather than just technical teams, this helps in giving the entire organization’s employees a broader perspective and helps them work together and bring about viable solutions that can further help them and the organization.

Additionally, people feel free together voices any concerns they may have as there is no higher kill role present in an internal hackathon

Encourages internal networking

In a time where quite a few organizations work remotely, it is essential to get the teams to interact with each other. This can be done by bringing them together for events such as these.Additionally, internal hacked ones are not your everyday formal office interactions. Internal hackathons can help build productivity and help the organization move toward its objectives. Internal hackathons result in increased employee engagement and happiness and there are several pieces of research that state that happier employees always result in low turnover rates for organizations.

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Also, read: Virtual Hackathons: All You Need To Know

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Healthy competition

Comes as no surprise that internal hackathons help drive competition within organizations and with multiple rewards being at stake encourage the employee to work harder and smarter to come up with abstract solutions for any given problem.Healthy competition always gives birth to creating innovation, this comes as no surprise. The same goes for internal hackathons, almost every internal hackathon has a great reward for the employees and the organization waiting at the end.

Identify employee skills

This is one of the best reasons to hold an internal hackathon at your organization. It gives organizations a chance to review their employees and their skills.More often than not, individuals possess skills that can help the organization move forward. As a manager or a higher-up in the organization, you should be able to identify such talent across the organization. Once identified, you can help them hone the skills to help them grow and your employee will use those skills for the benefit of the organization.Doing this also helps increase employee retention rates, in other words, your employees' loyalty toward the company will do nothing but increase.

Final thoughts

Internal hackathons are a great way of furthering the success of your organization as well as your employees. From being creative with solutions to promoting internal networking, internal hackathons can help a lot.It can help organizations retain their employees, improve employee satisfaction rates, help them be more creative, create a safe environment for the growth of employees, and much more.So why don't you give it a try? And why don't you choose HackerEarth's hackathon platform?It's got amazing functionality and features! From hackathon promotion to evaluation/analysis support, we've got everything covered for you.

Internal Hackathons FAQs

What is an internal hackathon?

An internal hackathon is an event where employees within a company collaborate intensively on software projects. It's a creative and productive way to foster innovation, team building, and problem-solving skills among tech teams.

How do internal hackathons drive innovation?

Internal hackathons encourage participants to think outside the box and explore new ideas and technologies. This environment of unrestricted creativity leads to the development of innovative solutions to existing problems or the creation of entirely new products.

What are the benefits of hosting an internal hackathon?

Benefits include improved employee engagement, enhanced collaboration across different departments, rapid problem-solving, skill development, and the potential to uncover hidden talents within your organization.

How long does a typical internal hackathon last?

The duration can vary, but most internal hackathons last between 24 to 48 hours. This time frame allows participants to dive deep into projects without disrupting regular work schedules significantly.

Who can participate in an internal hackathon?

While primarily designed for tech teams, employees from all departments can participate. Involving a diverse group can lead to more creative solutions and better team cohesion.

Do participants need to have coding skills to join?

Not necessarily. Participants can contribute in various ways, such as idea generation, project management, design, and testing. It's about collaboration and leveraging each team member's strengths.

How are projects chosen for the hackathon?

Projects can be proposed by participants or pre-selected by organizers. In some cases, a theme is provided, and teams develop projects aligned with that theme.

18% of hiring managers state that finding qualified entry-level technology talent has become even more complex over the last year (an 8% increase from 2021). Enter hackathons!

Hackathons have always brought out the best and the most innovative solutions for the most abstract problems. They are a great way to bridge the ever-increasing gap between developers, recruiters, and hiring managers.

Because we at HackerEarth have conducted countless hackathons in the past decade, two points stood out starkly:

• Developers LOVE fighting real-world challenges with hackathons
• Hackathons are immensely popular among companies as branding, engagement, crowdsourcing, and upskilling tools

Ten years of our journey of playing matchmaker for companies in finding the right tech talent, we know exactly how hard the sourcing-to-hire cycle is. The last two years have reiterated the fact that community engagement needs to be at the forefront of every company’s tech recruiting process. On that note, let’s take a look at some of the recent innovative hackathons that we are incredibly proud of 🙂

Also, read: The complete guide to organizing a successful hackathon

Let’s go down memory lane of our 7 most innovative hackathons!

hackCOVID 2.0

In 2020 when covid-19 was at its peak, HackerEarth in collaboration with IIMB launched the HackCOVID hackathon. We saw an amazing response from the community and consequently went on to conduct two more hackathons in this series – hackCOVID 2.0 and hackCOVID 3.0.

This hackathon in particular had two goals, to help industries mitigate the Coronavirus outbreak and to bring out the best developer talent around the world. We asked developers worldwide to come up with the most innovative and unique solutions to tackle COVID-19.

For the same reason, we had several relevant themes in place:

• Healthcare
  • Outbreak management
  • Covid-19 Patient Symptom Screening and Reporting
• Public Administration
  • Home-quarantine tracker
  • Tracing and monitoring
• Economy
• Virtual Learning
• Open Innovation for Covid-19

This hackathon was a massive success with over 700 teams taking part. This event brought out some of the most innovative applications such as “Using Anonymised Mobile Network for Identifying Hotspots and Covid-19 spread”, “Ventilator Monitoring”, etc.

Also, read:How Hackathons Can Help You Attract, Engage, Hire, And Train Top Talent

Pride Hackathon 2020

Yet another hackathon that is a part of our Inclusion and Diversity program. This was the very first hackathon of its kind in India, an LGBTQ+ exclusive hackathon to come up with tech, non-tech, and social solutions to secure internships, and jobs, and of course win other prizes as well.

This was done in collaboration with multiple organizations with multiple themes and sub-themes:

• Technical: Induction process – Streamline the candidate journey (candidate selection, interview process, and pre-onboarding process) to make it free from bias and more inclusive to the LGBT+ community, during the interview process for both the candidate as well as the interviewer.
• Non-Technical: Inclusion at Atlassian – Propose a framework to create a more LGBT+ inclusive environment at the workplace. Your idea might include current challenges, baselines on company practices and policies, and recommendations.
• Social Good: Employment Opportunities – Enable the transgender community to broaden the scope of employment opportunities (For example – by removing bias from the interview).

During the course of this hackathon participants came up with fun and amazing yet practical solutions in every area (tech, non-tech, and social). This was hands-down one of our most fun hackathons!

Missing Hackathon

In my opinion, this is one of the most unique and innovative hackathons held.

People go missing almost every minute around the world with women and children being the main victim, this, of course, is a great cause for concern. This hackathon was conducted to find innovative solutions to locate and rescue missing people.

There were themes included that helped in further breaking down different avenues for searching and rescuing missing people. They were:

• Facial Recognition System – to help global law enforcement agencies identify missing people via facial recognition
• Decentralized Directory of Missing Persons – the creation of a public missing person inventory to help identify missing people
• Search Mapping – this is to figure out and trace the pattern of offenders to locate and save victims of abductions/human trafficking
• Open Innovation – this theme has no boundaries, developers have the option of coming up with any solution they deem helpful.

This event was yet another massive success. In fact, one of the missing people hackathon solutions helped state police in locating and rescuing 2 missing people. How amazing is that?

Live Love Be: AR/VR Hackathon 2.0

Love knows no gender, freedom of rights knows no bounds, and the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, +) community is the epitome of this thought. In honor of Pride Month, we conducted a hackathon to celebrate the impact and change that the LGBTQIA+ community has made globally.

The proposed themes were:

• Pride – Virtual Events: People all over the world are gearing up to attend the Pride Parade virtually. Participants were given the task of creating the tech infrastructure needed to host the event.
• Open Innovation: Participants were asked to ideate and create a prototype on anything in the domain of AR/VR to help businesses scale.

We created the Live. Love. Be.- AR/VR Hackathon 2.0. to find solutions that will pave the way towards a more inclusive future in tech and the incredible HackerEarth community did not disappoint!

Also, read:Virtual Hackathons: All You Need To Know

ICTs for Indigenous Languages

The gradual disappearance of languages, particularly indigenous ones gave us some food for thought. We had to think of an answer that was unique and innovative. Like always, we turned to our trusty hackathon model to throw up some valuable ideas for this problem.

As part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2022 Special Track on ITCs and Indigenous Languages, WSIS, UNESCO, in collaboration with other stakeholders co-organized an online hackathon on our platform, inviting all interested stakeholders to ideate and create solutions that contribute to the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages.

Some of the interesting themes were:

• Knowledge: Creation of favorable conditions for knowledge-sharing and dissemination of good practices on indigenous languages.
• Empowerment: Proposing online training, chat rooms, educational games, and solutions to learn indigenous languages, especially for the young generation.
• Preservation: Developing online archiving tools and online dictionaries to access preserve, protect and revitalize indigenous languages

Read the complete case study here – How UNESCO and the WSIS Forum engaged developers from over 70 countries to help preserve indigenous languages

Hack To Enable

Shining the spotlight on the underrepresented sections of our society, it is imperative to talk about how hard people with disabilities have it in the world; and how hard they have it in the tech space.

This hackathon was specially conducted to find unique solutions to help disabled individuals get into any sector. In other words, the Hack To Enable hackathon is an initiative to help specially-abled folks get access to education, and work in any and every industry or come up with unique solutions that will help them lead much better lives.

Solutions can be created under the following themes:

• E-learning – build solutions to help specially-abled individuals learn
• Healthcare – to develop innovative tech solutions to help disabled people live much better lives.
• Wearables – smart watches and similar smart wearables with features to help disabled people
• Transformative transportation – propose innovative ideas or prototypes of travel tech
• Open innovation – here you can come up with your own ideas that you deem helpful toward specially-abled individuals.

The participants of course came up with some great ideas like a fall detection smart wearable, a human-machine interface, and similarly many others.

Also, read: Internal Hackathons: Drive Innovation And Increase Engagement In Tech Teams

Love is love

This 2020 hackathon is a part of our Inclusion and Diversity program in collaboration with Pride Circle. The goal of this hackathon was to create an ML (machine learning model) combined with NLP (Natural Language Processing) and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to assess the sentiments (positive, negative, or random) of quotes and statutes put up on social media.

This hackathon was a unique one and hell-bent on making the internet a safe space for everyone. Considering the unfortunate times that the entire world was facing due to the Coronavirus pandemic back in 2020, the prize money for this hackathon was distributed for the welfare of society.

See you at the next big HackerEarth hackathon!

As 2025 is almost upon us, we have an exciting line-up of innovative hackathons. If you’d like to organize one for your company or are interested in knowing more about this cost-effective way of engaging with developers that can benefit your business then book a demo right here.