Hackathons

Virtual hackathons are online events where people come together to explore challenges, and design and build solutions. Unlike physical hackathons, in a virtual hackathon the finale can be hosted from anywhere and do not have the same geographical boundaries—all you need is a live-streaming platform like Zoom to get started.

Furthermore, these hackathon finales last for a few hours or a few days. When we asked Vineet Khandelwal, Director of Customer Success at HackerEarth about the ideal duration of a hackathon, he said that the registration for a hackathon usually takes 4-8 weeks depending on the size of the community that the hackathon is targeting.

This timeframe is used to create a buzz about the hackathon in our community and enables the registered candidates to come up with a unique idea related to the theme of the hackathon. The time in which the participants can work on their ideas and submit a working prototype is usually another 4 weeks which ultimately end with a virtual finale.

If this sounds daunting, let’s break it down together as we take you through the intensive process of organizing virtual hackathons.

Why should you host a virtual hackathon?

A virtual hackathon comes with several perks that a physical hackathon would not have. Let’s talk about these benefits in detail.

Cost-effective

With a virtual hackathon, you can reduce overheads you otherwise have to bear in a physical hackathon—the elimination of paying rent for physical venues, food, event settings, and more. Moreover, this makes it easier for candidates as well, as they can attend the hackathon from the comfort of their homes.

Eco-friendly

Most companies are becoming environment conscious, and virtual hackathons are helpful in that way.

With virtual hackathons, the carbon emissions the online event produces are much lesser than a physical event as participants don’t have to travel.

The research article published in International Journal of Environmental Studies talks about a case study based on a virtual conference held by Airminers in 2020, which produces 66 times less greenhouse emissions than in-person gathering in San Francisco would have done.

Clearly: Virtual hackathons are a boon for the environment too.

Diversity

With physical hackathons, you can only invite local developers — from the same city, state, or nearby places. But virtual hackathons open doors to different geographical locations, helping the company get diverse participants with a large skillset.

Developers like to be associated with projects where they can use their skills for real-world problems. For example, if you want to introduce a specific technology in a geographical location you’ve never explored, participants from that region can give ideas and develop the technology that works well for people in that region.

How to host a successful virtual hackathon?

At HackerEarth, we have perfected a 4-step process for organizing and conducting a hackathon which we recommend to our clients. This process begins with ideating the theme for a hackathon and includes tips on promoting and gaining more participants as well. Let’s begin.

Step 1: Decide your goals

Ask yourself this—what do you want to accomplish with this virtual hackathon?

• Do you want to engage with participants and create awareness about your company?
• Do you want to develop a product prototype via crowdsourced ideas?
• Or, do you want to attract talent and hire them?

Once you have the answers, you can proceed further.

Let’s look at LGBTQIA+ matters, a recent virtual hackathon organized with the clear aim to foster cross-cultural dialogue, promote awareness and understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues and developing innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ community.

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Step 2: Pick a theme

Themes should be decided according to the trends in industry, the company’s own target audience and product lines, and whether they want to build employer branding by using CSR initiatives.

So, pick the theme for the virtual hackathon keeping these components in mind.

For example, the Perkins School of Blind used our end-to-end managed hackathon platform to host the Perkins Hacks in 2018. Participating developers had to build a wearable device for older people with lower vision to navigate spaces.

In this hackathon, the theme was visual impairment, and the challenge was building such a device that was never developed before.

But you don’t have to always stick to one theme. You can have multiple themes for a single hackathon.

💡Pro tip: HackerEarth’s Hackathons allows you to add multiple themes for the participants to pick from.

Step 3: Choose the timelines

Dates: Virtual hackathons are long-term events with multiple stakeholders. This is why, it is important to divide the duration into specific phases and timelines so that everything can move smoothly.

For example, virtual hackathon organized by Intel, the event timelines were broken down into individual phases: date of registration, dates when submission phase 1 and phase 2 start, and so on.

Step 4: Get the word out

Once you have planned all the elements like collaborating with judges, deciding on the prizes, setting up communication, etc., it’s time to promote the event.

A simple way to do it is to promote the virtual hackathon on social media. For example, companies use HackerEarth’s Hackathons to conduct their virtual hackathons where we promote their online hackathons on social media platforms like Twitter and drive registrations.

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Here are some ways to spread the word about virtual hackathons:

• Get your employees to share about the virtual hackathon on social media channels like Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Create a short video with your company’s leadership team and share it on the official social channels.
• Tell the participants the benefits of participating in the virtual hackathon—prizes, subject matter experts, and more.
• Conduct polls and ask questions to keep developers engaged and curious about the upcoming virtual hackathon. This is where digital business cards can be handy as they can be used everywhere. You have the option of including custom links such as polls, hackathon registration pages etc. Along with contact detail you can use top digital card software. So go ahead and on your platform where you are promoting hackathon.

What do you need to host a virtual hackathon?

Wondering what exactly you need to host a virtual hackathon? Here’s a list you must follow:

Software

Here are a few tools you must use to host a virtual hackathon:

Video and text platform

Since the hackathon finale is hosted virtually, it’s imperative to choose a good video conferencing platform to conduct the event.

✅Google Meet and Zoom: Meet the participants virtually

Digital collaboration

Participants will need a place to manage all projects and timelines, and brainstorm ideas with their team members.

✅HackerEarth’s Hackathons: Registration of participants and organizations, managing the project and team formation.

✅Slack and Discord: Use asynchronous messaging platforms for more interactive group activities.

✅Screen Recorder : Use a free screen recorder to communicate effectively with other remote participants when organizing the event

Centralized resource hub

Don’t give participants the chance to come to you during the live hackathon to ask about event-related information like rules, schedules, FAQs, contact information, and promotional material.

Instead, create a centralized resource workspace using Google Docs, Dropbox, or Notion and give access to each participant and share that on the hackathon page under the Resource Center tab Leverage a text summarizer to highlight key points related to your hackathon that can serve as a guiding document and add it to your resource hub. Here are a few suggestions from our end.

✅Google Docs and Dropbox: Save important documents and resources for participants and organizers to access

✅Notion: Create collaborative documents

Presentation during the finale

While Zoom and Google Meet’s screen-sharing options are good options to showcase presentations, and conduct a simple finale, to make it look more lucrative you can dip your toes in the latest technological advancements like VR using tools like Hubilio to make it more interesting..

Judges

Just like a physical hackathon, virtual hackathons too need to have a judging panel to assess the finished project and award prizes.

🧠Best practice: Invite subject matter experts related to the theme.

Also, having a judging panel can help you with the promotion. Here’s how: During the promotion, talk about the specific judges who’ll be judging the event and share their credentials.

This will drive curiosity and more interest from participants. Plus, ask the judges to promote the event on their social media channels and in their network to get more registrations.

Prizes

While running a virtual hackathon, there’s no limit on the kind of prizes you can offer to the winners. Some of them include cash prizes, cryptocurrency, and digital and physical products.

For example, the organizers of HCL Volt MX Hackathon 2023 handed out multiple prizes after the hackathon ended which included the main prize category (the three winners get cash prizes worth $7000, 4000, and 3000) and special prizes with creative titles like ‘Most Innovative Submission’ and ‘Most Beautiful Design’.

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Hackathon landing page or Wiki

You need a landing page to drive more registrations to your virtual hackathon. This is where participants can better get all the information they need about the virtual hackathon.

Companies without an official hackathon landing page can use HackerEarth’s hackathons platform to set up a landing page and share all the information related to the event.

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Engagement channels

Picture this: Your virtual hackathon is live. Participants are willing. Judges are curious to see the final project.

But there comes a blocker: the participants have a concern related to a specific component but alas, there’s no way for them to communicate about it.

That’s why, along with providing a platform that enables communication within teams, you also need to set up a company workspace, especially for online hackathons where one cannot just turn around and ask for help. This way participants can raise their concerns and get them addressed in real time.

A Slack or Discord workspace works great as developers are already familiar with such platforms and it has the necessary file sharing and other capabilities needed for such conversations. Providing virtual phone number for participants to reach out with queries can complement your existing communication plan.

What are good ideas for a virtual hackathon?

If you’re planning to host a virtual hackathon but are clueless about where to start, here are a few ideas you might find helpful.

Web3

Coindesk hosted a crypto, blockchain, and Web3-oriented hackathon called Consensus 2023 where they wanted to bring the Web2 developers into Web3 and support native Web3 builders. This virtual hackathon was focused on teams and projects open to seeking out the right protocols to build on it.

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Healthcare hackathon

The Hacking Health Tech hackathon, hosted by Johnson and Johnson Medtech was aimed at building medical technology to enable efficiency in surgical procedures and developing wearable technology.

Some ideas you can use:

• Data management in clinics and hospitals
• GPS monitoring of ambulances
• Wearable devices

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Consumer-tech hackathon (Microsoft)

The Microsoft Virtual Hackathon 2022 hosted by Microsoft Azure was aimed at solving real-world business problems using Azure AI.

Some ideas you can use:

• Automated workspaces
• IoT for homes
• Autonomous drones

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General hackathon ideas

While there are several niche hackathons that we talked about above, you don’t have to always box your virtual hackathons. Instead, here are a few generic hackathon ideas you can use too:

• Impact Analysis hosted a virtual hackathon where they wanted frontend developers to build and design AI/ML-enabled enterprise SaaS software for retail companies
• DAO Global Hackathon 2023 was a 4-week virtual hackathon to get hackers to leverage existing tools and build governance and coordination tools
• AI Genesis hackathon is organized where developers will explore the power of artificial intelligence with themes in domains like gaming, social media, visual art, and music.

3 expert tips from top engineers that can make your virtual hackathons A+

Tip #1: Have clear communication

One tip I’d like to share with you is to prioritize clear and concise communication throughout the event. Effective communication plays a crucial role in ensuring participants understand the guidelines, challenges, and judging criteria.

As a judge at various events, including the design event at Michigan Tech University, I’ve witnessed how transparent communication fosters a positive and engaging atmosphere.

To achieve this, leverage multiple channels to disseminate information, such as a dedicated hackathon website or landing page. This page can serve as a central hub for participants, providing them with detailed instructions, schedules, and access to necessary resources. Additionally, consider hosting pre-event webinars or virtual orientation sessions to address any questions or concerns participants may have.

— Piyush Tripathi, Lead Engineer, Square

Also, read: Effective Workplace Communication Tips for Remote Teams

Tip #2: Make the navigation easier

Make sure the event is well-organized and easy to navigate. This means providing clear instructions and resources for participants, as well as having a dedicated team of staff members who are available to answer questions and provide support. It is also important to create a positive and engaging atmosphere for participants so that they feel comfortable and motivated to participate.

— Gaurav Nagani, Founder of Desku.io

Tip #3: Include social interaction time

In comparison to physical hackathons, the social aspects of virtual hackathons present the biggest challenge. Building relationships and cooperating with others requires extra effort because people are no longer working in the same rooms together.

— Maria Harutyunyan, Founder of Loopex Digital

Also. read: How to Run the Perfect Virtual Hackathon — Do’s and Don’ts

How HackerEarth helps in maximizing virtual hackathons

We have put down the ins and outs of how you can host a virtual hackathon in your organization. We know the process of developing a virtual hackathon from scratch is time-consuming.

When time is money, and when your internal team doesn’t have the bandwidth to plan the event in detail, you can use HackerEarth’s end-to-end managed hackathons for organizing an event that will resonate with the developer community. From setting up the theme for your virtual hackathon to providing the landing page to promoting your virtual hackathon—HackerEarth does everything.

Curious to know more? Book a demo.

Frequently asked questions

What is a virtual hackathon?

A virtual hackathon is an event where individuals or teams connect virtually to collaborate and solve problems through technology.

During a virtual hackathon, participants usually work on projects related to software development, coding, web design, or other areas of technology. They form teams, brainstorm ideas, and work intensively over a set period of time, typically ranging from a few hours to a few days or even weeks.

Participants collaborate remotely using various communication tools, such as video conferencing, chat platforms, and project management software. They leverage their skills, creativity, and expertise to develop innovative solutions, build prototypes, or create functioning applications or software.

Organizers of virtual hackathons provide participants with the necessary resources, guidelines, and access to relevant tools or technologies. They may also organize workshops, mentorship sessions, and expert talks to support participants in their projects. At the end of the event, participants typically present their work to a panel of judges who evaluate the projects based on criteria such as innovation, functionality, and presentation.

What are the advantages of virtual hackathons?

Virtual hackathons offer several advantages over traditional in-person hackathons. Here are some key benefits:

• Diversity: It allows participants from all over the world to participate in the event—increasing the diversity of participants and encouraging a wider range of perspectives and ideas.
• Cost-effective: Participants can save on travel expenses, accommodation, and other costs associated with attending in-person hackathons. Plus, organizations can bear lower expenses when compared to physical hackathons.
• Accessibility: Participants have immediate access to online resources, documentation, tutorials, and open-source libraries, which enables rapid learning and implementation of new technologies, frameworks, or tools during the event.
• Networking: It gives them a chance to connect with participants, mentors, industry experts, and potential employers from around the world—expanding their professional network, exploring job prospects, and seeking mentorship or guidance.

How can one ensure a smooth virtual hackathon experience?

To ensure a smooth virtual hackathon experience, consider the following tips:

• Clear communication: Establish clear channels of communication for participants, mentors, and organizers. For example, Zoom for video conferencing, Slack for messaging, and Notion for project management.
• Robust technical platform: Ensure that the live streaming platform can handle the expected number of participants and their activities.
• Detailed guidelines: Provide participants with detailed guidelines about the hackathon’s rules, project submission requirements, judging criteria, and timelines.
• Realistic timelines: Give participants sufficient time to prepare before the hackathon starts. Share relevant resources, pre-event materials, and any specific challenges or problem statements in advance so participants can familiarize themselves with the topic.
• Mentors and support: Arrange subject matter experts to support participants during the hackathon. Offer mentorship sessions, Q&A opportunities, and technical assistance to help teams overcome obstacles and enhance their projects.
• Regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with participants to monitor progress, address concerns, and provide guidance. Use video conferencing or chat platforms to hold virtual stand-up meetings or progress updates.
• Engaging workshops and talks: Organize virtual workshops or talks on relevant topics to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge—technical skills, design thinking, project management, or industry insights, providing valuable learning opportunities.
• Transparent judging process: Clearly communicate the judging criteria and process to participants in advance.

Which platform is best for a hackathon?

HackerEarth’s hackathons platform helps companies conduct virtual hackathons from scratch. They provide a process management team, creative and design support, organic event promotion, and evaluation of product ideas.

What are the types of hackathons?

• Internal hackathons: These hackathons are conducted internally within the organization. Here, employees collaborate to solve internal challenges, develop new products or features, or foster innovation in the company.
• External hackathons: These hackathons are conducted externally where participants outside of the organization share their skill sets and bring in innovative solutions such as a product prototype.
• In-person hackathons: These are physical hackathons where participants come together in one place to work on projects. These events usually last for a few hours or a few days. In such hackathons, participants are restricted as only location-specific folks can only participate.
• Virtual hackathons: These are virtual events where participants from any geographical location can participate. These hackathons are hosted on a live-streaming platform which makes it easier for talent from different geographical locations to come and participate.

The future of coding is difficult to predict because different people have unique perspectives and sectors in which they work. For example, an IT employee would see things differently than someone working within the gaming industry does. So there are many factors that go into making this decision-making process challenging for anyone trying to guess what will be popular tomorrow or five years from now!

But some languages stand out as being ahead of their game: Python has been around since 2002 while Java was adopted early last century; you can’t beat these classics when it comes down to finding something stable enough yet innovative at exactly the same time. Nevertheless, there are plenty of newer languages that show promise and could soon take over as the most popular coding dialects.

What are programming languages?

A programming language is essentially a set of rules and symbols used to communicate instructions to a computer. It’s like learning a foreign language, but instead of communicating with humans, you’re communicating with machines.

Think of a computer as a highly intelligent but incredibly literal assistant. It can perform complex tasks, but it needs precise instructions on how to do so. Programming languages provide this set of instructions.

Types of Programming Languages

There are countless programming languages, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. They can be categorized based on their purpose, complexity, and syntax.

• Low-level languages: These languages are closer to machine code, offering granular control over hardware but requiring deep technical knowledge. Examples include Assembly language.
• High-level languages: These languages are more human-readable and easier to learn. They abstract away much of the hardware complexity. Examples include Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript.
• Scripting languages: These languages are often interpreted rather than compiled, making them suitable for rapid development. Examples include Python, Ruby, and Perl.

Top Future Programming Languages

So without further ado, let’s check out the top 10 future programming languages so you can choose for yourself which might be the best programming language for you.

Java

The popularity of Java isn’t waning any time soon, as it is still one of the most important popular back-end programming languages in demand for hiring managers looking to fill positions. With a long history dating back to 1995, Java has maintained its relevance due to its stability and versatility. Those with experience coding in Java are able to work on a wide range of projects due to the language’s ability to be used in both back-end and frontend development. One downside to Java is that it can be difficult to learn, so those without a background in coding may find it challenging to get up to speed.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a language that is used on the front end of websites and applications. It allows developers to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces, making it a popular choice for web development. In recent years, JavaScript has also become more popular in the back-end due to its ability to be used in Node.js. JavaScript can be difficult to learn, but there are many online resources available to help beginners get started. These resources can help you understand how JavaScript works and how to use it.

Python

Python has been around since 2002 and is one of the most popular future coding languages. It is known for its readability, making it a good choice for beginners. Python is also versatile and can be used for both back-end and frontend development as well as data science tasks. The downside to Python is that it can be slow when compared to other languages.

Also, read: Code In Progress – The Life And Times Of Developers

Kotlin

Kotlin is a newer language that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It was created by JetBrains, the same company that created IntelliJ IDEA, a popular Java development environment. Kotlin is a statically typed language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and has been designed to interoperate with Java code. It is one of the most growing programming languages.One advantage of Kotlin is that it is concise, meaning that developers can create code that is more readable and efficient. Another advantage of Kotlin is that it offers null safety, which helps reduce the number of errors produced by null pointer exceptions.

R

R is a language that is used for data analysis and statistical computing. It is popular among data scientists because it offers a wide range of libraries that can be used for data manipulation and analysis. R is also a programming language, which means that code can be written in order to automate tasks. One drawback to R is that it can be difficult to learn, especially for those who are not familiar with statistics.

C/C++

C and C++ are two of the most popular programming languages. They are both low-level languages that offer a lot of flexibility and can be used for a variety of tasks. C and C++ are also relatively easy to learn, making them a good choice for beginners. One disadvantage to these languages is that they can be difficult to debug. Additionally, C and C++ are not as popular as other languages, so it may be difficult to find developers who are skilled in using them.

Go

Go is a relatively newer language that was created by Google in 2009. It is a compiled language that offers fast performance and is easy to learn. Go is also popular among web developers because it can be used for both back-end and frontend development. The only catch of Go is that it is not as popular as other languages, so it may be difficult to find developers who are skilled in using it.

PHP

PHP is a scripting language that is used for web development. It is a popular choice for small websites and applications because it is easy to learn and use. PHP is also a server-side language, which means that it runs on the server and generates HTML that is sent to the browser. The only downside to PHP is that it is not as popular as other languages and may be difficult to find developers who are skilled in using it.

Swift

Swift is one of the emerging programming languages that was created by Apple in 2014. It is a fast, safe, and expressive language that was designed for developing iOS and macOS apps. Swift is also open source and has been ported to run on Linux. One advantage of Swift is that it is easy to learn. Another advantage of Swift is that it offers type inference, which makes code more readable and eliminates the need for explicit type annotations.

C#

C# is a Microsoft language that was created in 2001. It is a statically typed language that is designed for developing Windows-based applications. C# is also an object-oriented language, which means that it offers features such as classes, inheritance, and polymorphism. One advantage of C# is that it is easy to learn. Another advantage of C# is that it offers type safety, which helps reduce the number of errors produced by incorrect code. The limitation to using C# is that it can be difficult to find developers who are skilled in using it.

Build a future-ready team with HackerEarth

Hackathons are a great way to test the problem-solving skills of candidates as well as assess their knowledge of a particular programming language. They are also popular among developers as a way to learn new programming languages and improve their skills.

The most used programming languages by popularity for hackathons are Java, Python, and JavaScript. However, newer languages such as Go and Swift are becoming more popular. These Hackathons offer an opportunity to explore different programming languages and see which ones work best for you.

Also, read: Building Future-Ready Tech Teams

HackerEarth is the most popular online coding platform for recruiters and developers. With over 40+ programming languages, it offers a rich library of questions to assess problem-solving skills and knowledge of a particular programming language.

Some of the key features and benefits of HackerEarth are:

– It is the most popular online coding platform for recruiters and developers with over 40+ programming languages.

– It offers a rich library of questions to assess problem-solving skills and knowledge of a particular programming language.

– It has a global community of developers with over 1 million registered users.

– It offers an AI-based assessment engine that helps identify the best candidates for a role.

If you are looking for some of the best programming languages to learn, this list is a great place to start!

Ever since the pandemic hit, employers have had to fill positions without requiring candidates to go through an extensive in-person interview process. As a result, many companies have turned to virtual hiring programs as well as hackathons to reach their recruiting goals. A study found that 40% of companies use a hackathon hiring process as part of their recruitment strategies.

So what exactly is a hackathon and how to conduct one?

What is Hackathon?

Hackathons are events where computer programmers and other technology professionals come together to create new products or solve technological problems. They typically last for several hours and sometimes even go up to several days. Teams are often formed at hackathons, which are made up of people with different skill sets. At the end of the event, these teams present their product or solution to a panel of judges. Hackathon hiring processes are usually sponsored by companies that want to promote innovation within the tech world.

Types of Hackathons

The top 2 types of hackathons are external hackathons and internal hackathons:

• External hackathons:

At an external hackathon hiring process, participants create their own projects. They might work on coding tools, websites, or mobile apps that can be used by other people in the tech world. Employers sponsor these events to find new hires and engage with potential recruits. They also offer a valuable learning experience for attendees or students who may be interested in pursuing a career in technology.

Recommended read – Virtual Hackathons: All You Need To Know

• Internal hackathons:

These are internal or company-sponsored events that allow employees to engage in innovation and creativity. They can be used by companies to find new talent, foster teamwork among employees, and identify job applicants with the most potential.

Recommended read – Internal Hackathons: Drive Innovation And Increase Engagement In Tech Teams

Here’s a closer look at how these hackathons can benefit your organization.

External Hackathons

With hackathon recruiting, companies are replacing the intimidating interview setting with a competitive drill where candidates can show their skills. As recruiters get to observe them apply these abilities in real-time they are better placed at analyzing candidate competency and making informed hiring decisions. These projects can be used as portfolios to help participants build their brands and show off what they’ve accomplished. Participants could also use these products as a way to gain exposure or to see if it is feasible for them to turn the project into a business venture.

Recommended read – How To Run The Perfect Virtual Hackathon: Do’s And Dont’s

Its benefits include:

1. Build a diverse team from all around the world:

The hackathon hiring process creates a unique opportunity for people from all over the world to come together and work on a project. Participants who network with these people during hackathons might be able to add them as contacts when they return to the office, thus building company connections that would not have been possible otherwise.

2. Join hands with industry experts:

Industry experts and sponsors of the event actively participate as judges or mentors. This allows them to network with new people and gain access to the latest trends in the tech industry. Attendees make valuable contacts at hackathons which can be beneficial for your company even after the events are over.

3. Expand your developer community:

Companies use the hackathon hiring process to attract developers who might not otherwise come in contact with your brand. This offers a way for you to interact with the tech community and establish new relationships. It also allows you to identify potential candidates who might be looking for a job opportunity

4. Find the best talent for your business:

The hackathon hiring process offers a way to identify the best developer talent in the industry. It also helps you create a larger pool of qualified applicants for future roles. In addition to hiring developers, hackathons can help you identify other employees as well as interns who would be a good fit for your team.

Because hackathons are team-based events, it also allows you to see how candidates interact with their peers. You can assess how comfortable and confident they feel when working alongside others and whether they’re open to feedback and suggestions.

5. Boost corporate branding:

Hackathons offer a great opportunity to increase awareness about your brand and what you have to offer. Corporate hackathon ideas allow companies to showcase their product or service in a new way that is often more effective than advertising campaigns.

Recommended read – Building An Employer Brand: Everything You Need To Know

6. Crowdsource ideas:

Hackathons also offer a valuable way for companies to crowdsource ideas from people who matter the most. People from different departments and backgrounds can share their thoughts on improving daily operations, which allows your team to come up with solutions that would not have been possible otherwise.

Internal Hackathons

Most companies hold internal hackathons for team building. They can be a great way to get your employees excited about their work while allowing them to collaborate and build relationships with one another outside of the normal office environment. Internal hackathon ideas are perfect for tapping into the skills of the company’s workforce.

Participants could be tasked with creating an internal service or tool that solves a particular problem within the company, such as reducing costs or increasing efficiency. At the same time, learning and development programs are also offered at these events which can help employees develop new skills.

Recommended read – Hackathon Survival Guide: What You Need To Know Going Into A Hackathon

This is how it benefits your company:

1. Boosts morale:

Hackathons are a great way to get employees excited about their work again. It creates an environment that fosters teamwork and allows people to interact with each other in ways they normally wouldn’t be able to inside the office. It builds stronger connections between employees which can improve workplace satisfaction overall.

Hackathons can be a great way to build camaraderie among your team members. The shared experience of working on a project as a group allows employees to work together and accomplish tasks they never thought possible. Additionally, the opportunity to interact with other teams in friendly competition helps generate excitement and establish positive relationships.

2. Great team building activity:

Hackathons give employees a fun and rewarding opportunity to get out of their comfort zone. It encourages people to work together towards a common goal while building on each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Employees can also learn new skills that they will be able to use in the future.

3. Employees are pushed out of their comfort zone:

Hackathons encourage employees to work together and build on each other’s strengths. It pushes people out of their comfort zone and allows them the opportunity to try something different.
Hackathons offer a low-risk, cost-effective way for you to promote creativity within your team.

4. Gives employees a chance to enrich their portfolio and grow in their careers:

Hackathons allow employees to try something new and possibly even learn a new skill. It allows them to build on their existing skillset and creates a great addition to anyone’s resume.

5. Employee retention:

Hackathons offer a competitive environment that allows employees to work together and encourage each other. It provides a sense of accomplishment and fun while also giving them something to look forward to.

6. Teams can come up with new products – or even new businesses:

Hackathons are a great way for employees to come up with new ideas that can eventually become successful products or services. For example, Box Brownie, the easy-to-use tool for removing backgrounds from images or enhancing them with professional features; DanceBattle, an innovative app that helps you compete in dancing battles with others using the camera of your phone or laptop, and EchoLoco, the audio map with real-time cues that helps the visually impaired stay safe and move faster in urban areas or crowded places, are all results of internal hackathons.

Hackathons typically last for 24 to 48 hours and bring together large groups of people from the tech community. Competitors compete to build a product or solution that offers a specific benefit, such as improving medical care or connecting communities.

The hackathon hiring process allows companies to scout high potential candidates in the tech world, build relationships with top talent, and provide valuable learning opportunities for potential hires.

Conduct hackathons with HackerEarth

HackerEarth’s online hackathon platform gives companies the opportunity to host internal, corporate, or private hackathons from anywhere in the world.

Following are the benefits of hosting hackathons using HackerEarth:

• It provides a curated experience for your company to get the engagement they need without any bandwidth drain.
• The HackerEarth platform makes it easy to manage your hackathons or hiring challenges from anywhere in the world
• HackerEarth provides a large community of qualified developers who are ready to work with you.
• It lowers your operational costs by ensuring that you are able to meet your hiring goals at a fraction of the cost.
• It helps you build a community of developers and engineers who can become your future employees.

Here are a few HackerEarth Statistics of 2021 alone:

• HackerEarth’s hackathon platform has organized over 134 hackathons creating 6,000+ challenges that helped create 2,000+ prototypes
• More than 60,000 developers registered as participants across the globe
• Over 1,700 companies around the world use HackerEarth’s hiring platform to find their next rockstar developer recruitment.
• 17,000+ tests were created that helped assess 14,00,000+ developers, reducing our clients’ time to hire by half

If you’re not already using hackathons, you may want to consider adding them to your recruiting toolkit. Hackathons can help you identify talented potential employees, engage and hire top performers, and even train new hires. Also, hackathons can be put together quickly and easily with the right tools, such as HackerEarth’s hackathon platform.

Since the pandemic first hit in 2020, it has shuttered offices and industries had to adapt on the fly to continue working remotely. The tech industry needed to throw out ancient processes and discover newer avenues, especially in the field of tech recruiting. If you guessed where I’m heading with this, then you are on the right track!

Yes, I am talking about social media, its massive reach, and one form of recruiting that has shot into the limelight – Social Recruiting. Tapping into brand new spheres of talent while adopting creative recruiting strategies is the crux of social recruiting.

Although social recruiting has been around since 2008, it has become the need of the hour and a weapon to have in your corner with the pandemic rendering everything to a remote workspace. A study by Pew Research Centre found that a whopping 72% of Americans surveyed use social media heavily. This should put into perspective the large number of promising candidates you as a recruiter are not considering by failing to source candidates through social media.

Here are our 2 cents on everything you need to knowabout social recruiting and how to kill it #likeapro, true social media style!

What is social recruiting?

Social recruiting or social media recruiting is a talent acquisition strategy that refers to the use of social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to source and hire candidates. You can narrow down your target audience to quickly and effectively find candidates who are the right fit for your company.

Why traditional recruiting methods will no longer cut it

The global talent, mainly Gen Z do not spend time scouring newspapers for job vacancies, rather they are busy switching between Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram on their phone. Posting job ads on social media is easy, attracts a wider, more diverse pool of candidates, and is cheaper. “Some companies use tools to post to Instagram from PC, schedule content, and complete other tasks.”

Bidding adios to the old ways of recruitment has become necessary to stay competitive in these fast-paced, digital-forward times. It has been proven multiple times that the traditional approach towards recruiting brings no diversity to the company, stagnates growth, eliminates a large pool of passive candidates, and lowers profits in the long run.

Providing relief to time-consuming, archaic hiring practices is the new age social recruiting approach that is considerably cost-effective with a greater chance of bridging the ever-widening gap between recruiters and talented job seekers.

What do the numbers look like for social recruiting?

Still not convinced to make the switch? Here are the current statistics of the social media recruiting landscape in 2021.

✔️A Career Profiles study shows that 91% of companies rely on social media when recruiting.

✔️86% of job seekers use social media in their job search, according to CareerArc.

✔️35% of employers increased their social recruiting efforts from last year to now, according to CareerArc.

✔️A report by PostBeyond shows that 82% of companies attract passive candidates via social media.

✔️49% of professionals use Linkedin to scout for job opportunities, as stated by HackerEarth Developer Survey, 2021.

Pitfalls of social media recruiting

Now that you’re sold on the awesomeness of social recruiting, there are some DON’Ts that you need to take note of before you kickstart your social hiring journey.

• Don’t jump headlong into social media without a cohesive plan in place. Nobody is interested in being bombarded with generic content across different social media platforms. Identify your goals, tailor your strategy according to each platform, and measure ROI periodically to see what is working.
• Not creating quality content to best showcase your brand, company values, workplace culture, etc., and simply posting job vacancies will never attract or engage potential candidates. Bring the personal factor to your hiring strategy, nurture relationships via your content, and maintain consistency in your efforts.
• Don’t forget to take stock of your efforts regularly. Choose key metrics like reach, engagement, and conversion to measure activity; the results should guide your way forward.

What makes for a good social media recruiting strategy?

Social recruiting takes a little work to get right, but when well executed it represents a robust advantage. Tips to kickstart your social media recruiting strategy the right way.

#1 Put together candidate personas

Speaking to the right people is of the utmost importance. It helps you narrow down who you’re looking for. Establishing candidate personas enables you to have a targeted approach on social media.

Know what kind of profiles will be a good culture-fit and balance that with the skills necessary to be successful in the role.

#2 Choose the right social media platform

The role you’re hiring for, the industry you’re in and the persona you are trying to reach out to, dictates the platform you need to use.

Some roles may require digging deep into more niche social media platforms rather than the popular ones. You may even need to use a social media management tool to keep everything organized.

#3 Track metrics to create your pipeline of candidates

Every social network has its set of metrics that need to be monitored. For example, the best time to post on Instagram may be different than on Facebook or LinkedIn. Don’t get too engrossed in the likes and follows; make sure you’re tracking suitable recruitment metrics.

Depending on your platform and social media strategy, evaluate the given metrics monthly or quaterly to see where you stand, which platforms and strategies yield the highest quality candidates and what needs to be tweaked in your approach.

#4 Optimize your social media profiles

Most recruits consider a company based on its social media presence, which is why it is important to maintain a cohesive voice across all platforms being used. Maintain consistency in messaging that potrays the true reflection of your company’s brand and mission. Adjust settings to protect social media accounts. So you wouldn’t have to deal with the Facebook security issues or report Instagram account for getting hacked.

#5 Rope in your employees to be your ambassadors

Your existing workforce is your biggest ambassador. Leverage this at every opportunity by creating some guidelines so that employees understand the goal at hand and will create content with that in mind.

You can also create readily shareable content to make it easy for everyone to re-share, repurpose, and post on their personal social media profiles.

#6 Make use of video content

There are a lot of companies competing for top tier talent right now. The last thing you want to have happen is to get lost in the mix and lose out on a rockstar new hire.

Cut through the noise by using videos to portray the day-to-day life at your company is an effective way to reach prospective candidates.

#7 Measure how well your strategy is working

Speaking in numbers may not come naturally to recruiters but this is how you convince your stakeholders that your social hiring efforts are paying off.

Review the KPIs, goals and impacts of your social media recruiting strategy. From there, you can find your strengths and weaknesses to better adjust your resources and efforts.

Further Reading

Boost your social recruiting efforts with this CHEAT SHEET. Download your exclusive copy to take offline and distribute to your team.

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We have further distilled tried and tested strategies that work for social recruiting into a cheatsheet, to simplify the process for you. Go through the step-by-step breakdown on how to approach each of the 7 tips given above to better your social media recruiting strategy.

There is a bonus takeaway included in the guide as well that helps you tailor your strategy for popular social media channels like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Leverage social recruiting like a pro

Social media recruiting is fast becoming the most effective hiring tactic in 2021. It enables you to showcase your company culture, reach a larger talent pool, be authentic and connect with your ideal candidates. As Gen Z and millennials make up more and more of the workforce, social media dictates the hiring strategies for recruiters to leverage upon.

Are your potential candidates on social media? Then your recruiting efforts should be, too.

There’s nothing quite like walking into a campus cafeteria, a large conference room, or endless halls stacked together for a weekend-long hackathon. Developers of all skill levels, with various backgrounds in countless programming languages and areas of expertise, all coming together for one purpose: to build something new. This is exactly what we talked about in Episode 3 of the Tech Stack Playbook, Are Hackathons Just for the Pros?

In a world of constant innovation, hackathons are a breath of fresh air for those who dare to create what hasn’t been created, to try something new and different, and to break out of one’s shell and push the envelope of one’s skills. Events like these are so important for developers, whether you are a beginner or an advanced software engineer, hackathons are the great equalizer and skill democratizer.

You can form a team with developers who have different skills than you, who have worked or are working at companies you might want to work at one day, or who may have expertise in the areas you hope to have. You might end up learning more from the competition in the span of 48 hours than a boot camp, course, or year of schooling. The lessons you gain, both in software development, entrepreneurship, and in working as a team will pay dividends down the road.

When you’re able to learn cyclically — try, learn, fail, learn, succeed, learn, repeat — over and over again, you expose yourself to the gamut of what technology enables: a willingness to try first and learn each step of the way.

Things to know going into a hackathon

There can be quite a lot to think about going to a hackathon…some of the questions that can be racing through your head could be…

• Who are the judges?
• Who are the partners?
• What are the time limits?
• What are the restraints/limitations/constraints/requirements?
• Where is the hackathon?
• What type of hackathon will I be participating in?
• How do I form a team?

And on and on…

There is an endless amount of questions that can be swirling through our heads, but the main questions to ask ourselves is, will I be attending a Development-Focused Hackathon or a Proof-of-Concept Hackathon. Each comes with its specific requirements, needs, and processes, which are vital to know how to crush each type of hackathon.

What we at HackerEarth learnt by conducting 200 remote hackathons in 2020! Read here…

While this is not an inclusive list of everything you will need to know for a hackathon, it is hopefully a helpful guide on what to know going into both types of hackathons so you can crush it and make an impact!

Top 3 languages to know for a development-focused hackathon

I define product-focused hackathons as ones where you will have to build something technically unique with code that will be evaluated by various merits, from how accurate the data model is, how advanced the computation is, or how novel the use-case is. This is when you will be building a full-stack application that must accomplish a specific goal or set of goals and be presentable for the judges to review and possibly use. You will want to put on your creative developer hats and consider what could X industry benefit from ABC partners’ technology or what use-case could I implement ABC partners’ technology for? Take time in the beginning to build up an exciting, important, and relevant technology system that you can show off.

So what would be helpful to know for a hackathon like this?

#1. Git & GitHub — these skills, whether you are working with a team in real-time or working virtually, will help you and your team stay in sync across all changes to the repository and help you collaborate more efficiently, quickly, and accurately.

If you’re working with a global team at a virtual hackathon, how will you be able to keep up with code changes throughout the event, especially if you and your team are in different parts of the world and in different time zones? GitHub will be your best friend, linking your teammates together as if you were in the same room. You don’t need to be a git expert, but knowing how to do pull requests, branch your code, and code reviews, will be crucial.

#2. A front-end framework like React, Angular, Vue — knowing how to build a fully-packaged application where everything is packaged and compiled for you is key. React, for example, is amazing for this because you’re able to run code from a startup script, build a package and deploy that on the cloud, like AWS, and there are so many benefits from knowing React.

Knowing this front-end framework because now you can operationalize your code, you don’t have to have different repositories and codebases connected together in pieces. React will let you put all of your code together and bundle it up seamlessly, which is pretty incredible as an advancement of progressive web applications and making software for the web.

There is also an immense amount of documentation around front-end frameworks like React, as well as YouTube videos, Medium blog posts, and StackOverflow forum posts about React as well. You will never run out of resources to pull from, and having a very well-documented front-end framework like React that most developers will be knowledgeable about will help to make the hackathon experience as seamless across your team as possible. There are also so many great resources, like TeamTreehouse, that provide quick and efficient trainings to help you jump start your React/front-end development skills in no time.

#3. A back-end language like AWS (cloud services), Node.JS or TypeScript (local server), Python (algorithmic code) — will allow you to work with data, endpoints, and build the logic backbone of your software application.

Perhaps you want to be able to predict data in the future or visualize some sort of information as it comes in. Your back-end language or back-end services will be vital for helping support the front-end build of the site.

SUBSCRIBE to the HackerEarth blog and enrich your monthly reading with our free e-newsletter – Fresh, insightful and awesome articles straight into your inbox from around the tech recruiting world!

Top 3 tools to know for a proof-of-concept hackathon

This type of hackathon is a bit different than a development-focused one because here, the goal is to mission and vision your way to success.

#1. A design tool like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD — knowing how to wireframe and build out the UI/UX (user interface/experience) of the user journey throughout the software is a powerful skill. Even more powerful is being able to build out app wireframe examples in a hackathon with a limited amount of time and resources to build.

By creating mockups, this is critical for sharing this with the judges who want to see what you have visioned and where you want to go. Mockups help to make the software real and sell your vision to an external audience. Design skill sets are so helpful in places like this.

#2. Knowing a presentation software like Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Keynote — having pretty savvy presentation skills will help to sell your mission and vision even more. Google Slides is often the default for sharing presentations, especially with judges.

#3. A front-end framework like React, Angular, Vue — at least being able to build out a front-end mockup will help to impress them with your vision of what you have built so far and where you can scale this idea. Judges are also making judgments about your ability to carry this forward, so you’ll want to make sure you can show some development skills, even if it isn’t required, because it will add credibility to your vision, beyond stand-out designs and visuals.

All it takes is one, or two, solid steps forward…

Everything is achievable with the right plan. It just takes the right steps and some courage to push past the imposter syndrome, the self-doubt you might be feeling, or the uneasiness of “not being good enough just yet.”

Sometimes being thrown into the thick of it is how we end up learning the most, and this is what makes technology and programming so special — everyone is still trying to figure out the answer too. If everyone had all of the answers, software engineering wouldn’t be a career because everything would be built already.

What if you could be the key to unlocking the solution to a big industry-wide problem? What if you could be the needed ingredients to a team that wants to help the world with a specific use case?

The only way to find out what’s out there is to sign up for a hackathon and get started testing the limits of your personal innovation engine. The future is there for those who dare to believe, dream, and build. I hope you take those first steps and go on to build transformative tech for your communities and the world!

Let’s digitize the future!

Check out the full list of upcoming hackathons at HackerEarth here!

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This post has been contributed by Brian Hough, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Airblock Technologies, AWSCommunity Builder, Host of Tech Stack Playbook, and five-time Global Hackathon Winner.

As someone who’s very active on the hackathon scene, Brian knows a thing or two about the arsenal of tools and tricks developers need in order to win one. Hope you find his tips handy!

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Virtual hackathons are online events where people come together to explore challenges, and design and build solutions. Unlike physical hackathons, in a virtual hackathon the finale can be hosted from anywhere and do not have the same geographical boundaries—all you need is a live-streaming platform like Zoom to get started.

Furthermore, these hackathon finales last for a few hours or a few days. When we asked Vineet Khandelwal, Director of Customer Success at HackerEarth about the ideal duration of a hackathon, he said that the registration for a hackathon usually takes 4-8 weeks depending on the size of the community that the hackathon is targeting.

This timeframe is used to create a buzz about the hackathon in our community and enables the registered candidates to come up with a unique idea related to the theme of the hackathon. The time in which the participants can work on their ideas and submit a working prototype is usually another 4 weeks which ultimately end with a virtual finale.

If this sounds daunting, let’s break it down together as we take you through the intensive process of organizing virtual hackathons.

Why should you host a virtual hackathon?

A virtual hackathon comes with several perks that a physical hackathon would not have. Let’s talk about these benefits in detail.

Cost-effective

With a virtual hackathon, you can reduce overheads you otherwise have to bear in a physical hackathon—the elimination of paying rent for physical venues, food, event settings, and more. Moreover, this makes it easier for candidates as well, as they can attend the hackathon from the comfort of their homes.

Eco-friendly

Most companies are becoming environment conscious, and virtual hackathons are helpful in that way.

With virtual hackathons, the carbon emissions the online event produces are much lesser than a physical event as participants don’t have to travel.

The research article published in International Journal of Environmental Studies talks about a case study based on a virtual conference held by Airminers in 2020, which produces 66 times less greenhouse emissions than in-person gathering in San Francisco would have done.

Clearly: Virtual hackathons are a boon for the environment too.

Diversity

With physical hackathons, you can only invite local developers — from the same city, state, or nearby places. But virtual hackathons open doors to different geographical locations, helping the company get diverse participants with a large skillset.

Developers like to be associated with projects where they can use their skills for real-world problems. For example, if you want to introduce a specific technology in a geographical location you’ve never explored, participants from that region can give ideas and develop the technology that works well for people in that region.

How to host a successful virtual hackathon?

At HackerEarth, we have perfected a 4-step process for organizing and conducting a hackathon which we recommend to our clients. This process begins with ideating the theme for a hackathon and includes tips on promoting and gaining more participants as well. Let’s begin.

Step 1: Decide your goals

Ask yourself this—what do you want to accomplish with this virtual hackathon?

• Do you want to engage with participants and create awareness about your company?
• Do you want to develop a product prototype via crowdsourced ideas?
• Or, do you want to attract talent and hire them?

Once you have the answers, you can proceed further.

Let’s look at LGBTQIA+ matters, a recent virtual hackathon organized with the clear aim to foster cross-cultural dialogue, promote awareness and understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues and developing innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ community.

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Step 2: Pick a theme

Themes should be decided according to the trends in industry, the company’s own target audience and product lines, and whether they want to build employer branding by using CSR initiatives.

So, pick the theme for the virtual hackathon keeping these components in mind.

For example, the Perkins School of Blind used our end-to-end managed hackathon platform to host the Perkins Hacks in 2018. Participating developers had to build a wearable device for older people with lower vision to navigate spaces.

In this hackathon, the theme was visual impairment, and the challenge was building such a device that was never developed before.

But you don’t have to always stick to one theme. You can have multiple themes for a single hackathon.

💡Pro tip: HackerEarth’s Hackathons allows you to add multiple themes for the participants to pick from.

Step 3: Choose the timelines

Dates: Virtual hackathons are long-term events with multiple stakeholders. This is why, it is important to divide the duration into specific phases and timelines so that everything can move smoothly.

For example, virtual hackathon organized by Intel, the event timelines were broken down into individual phases: date of registration, dates when submission phase 1 and phase 2 start, and so on.

Step 4: Get the word out

Once you have planned all the elements like collaborating with judges, deciding on the prizes, setting up communication, etc., it’s time to promote the event.

A simple way to do it is to promote the virtual hackathon on social media. For example, companies use HackerEarth’s Hackathons to conduct their virtual hackathons where we promote their online hackathons on social media platforms like Twitter and drive registrations.

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Here are some ways to spread the word about virtual hackathons:

• Get your employees to share about the virtual hackathon on social media channels like Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Create a short video with your company’s leadership team and share it on the official social channels.
• Tell the participants the benefits of participating in the virtual hackathon—prizes, subject matter experts, and more.
• Conduct polls and ask questions to keep developers engaged and curious about the upcoming virtual hackathon. This is where digital business cards can be handy as they can be used everywhere. You have the option of including custom links such as polls, hackathon registration pages etc. Along with contact detail you can use top digital card software. So go ahead and on your platform where you are promoting hackathon.

What do you need to host a virtual hackathon?

Wondering what exactly you need to host a virtual hackathon? Here’s a list you must follow:

Software

Here are a few tools you must use to host a virtual hackathon:

Video and text platform

Since the hackathon finale is hosted virtually, it’s imperative to choose a good video conferencing platform to conduct the event.

✅Google Meet and Zoom: Meet the participants virtually

Digital collaboration

Participants will need a place to manage all projects and timelines, and brainstorm ideas with their team members.

✅HackerEarth’s Hackathons: Registration of participants and organizations, managing the project and team formation.

✅Slack and Discord: Use asynchronous messaging platforms for more interactive group activities.

✅Screen Recorder : Use a free screen recorder to communicate effectively with other remote participants when organizing the event

Centralized resource hub

Don’t give participants the chance to come to you during the live hackathon to ask about event-related information like rules, schedules, FAQs, contact information, and promotional material.

Instead, create a centralized resource workspace using Google Docs, Dropbox, or Notion and give access to each participant and share that on the hackathon page under the Resource Center tab Leverage a text summarizer to highlight key points related to your hackathon that can serve as a guiding document and add it to your resource hub. Here are a few suggestions from our end.

✅Google Docs and Dropbox: Save important documents and resources for participants and organizers to access

✅Notion: Create collaborative documents

Presentation during the finale

While Zoom and Google Meet’s screen-sharing options are good options to showcase presentations, and conduct a simple finale, to make it look more lucrative you can dip your toes in the latest technological advancements like VR using tools like Hubilio to make it more interesting..

Judges

Just like a physical hackathon, virtual hackathons too need to have a judging panel to assess the finished project and award prizes.

🧠Best practice: Invite subject matter experts related to the theme.

Also, having a judging panel can help you with the promotion. Here’s how: During the promotion, talk about the specific judges who’ll be judging the event and share their credentials.

This will drive curiosity and more interest from participants. Plus, ask the judges to promote the event on their social media channels and in their network to get more registrations.

Prizes

While running a virtual hackathon, there’s no limit on the kind of prizes you can offer to the winners. Some of them include cash prizes, cryptocurrency, and digital and physical products.

For example, the organizers of HCL Volt MX Hackathon 2023 handed out multiple prizes after the hackathon ended which included the main prize category (the three winners get cash prizes worth $7000, 4000, and 3000) and special prizes with creative titles like ‘Most Innovative Submission’ and ‘Most Beautiful Design’.

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Hackathon landing page or Wiki

You need a landing page to drive more registrations to your virtual hackathon. This is where participants can better get all the information they need about the virtual hackathon.

Companies without an official hackathon landing page can use HackerEarth’s hackathons platform to set up a landing page and share all the information related to the event.

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Engagement channels

Picture this: Your virtual hackathon is live. Participants are willing. Judges are curious to see the final project.

But there comes a blocker: the participants have a concern related to a specific component but alas, there’s no way for them to communicate about it.

That’s why, along with providing a platform that enables communication within teams, you also need to set up a company workspace, especially for online hackathons where one cannot just turn around and ask for help. This way participants can raise their concerns and get them addressed in real time.

A Slack or Discord workspace works great as developers are already familiar with such platforms and it has the necessary file sharing and other capabilities needed for such conversations. Providing virtual phone number for participants to reach out with queries can complement your existing communication plan.

What are good ideas for a virtual hackathon?

If you’re planning to host a virtual hackathon but are clueless about where to start, here are a few ideas you might find helpful.

Web3

Coindesk hosted a crypto, blockchain, and Web3-oriented hackathon called Consensus 2023 where they wanted to bring the Web2 developers into Web3 and support native Web3 builders. This virtual hackathon was focused on teams and projects open to seeking out the right protocols to build on it.

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Healthcare hackathon

The Hacking Health Tech hackathon, hosted by Johnson and Johnson Medtech was aimed at building medical technology to enable efficiency in surgical procedures and developing wearable technology.

Some ideas you can use:

• Data management in clinics and hospitals
• GPS monitoring of ambulances
• Wearable devices

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Consumer-tech hackathon (Microsoft)

The Microsoft Virtual Hackathon 2022 hosted by Microsoft Azure was aimed at solving real-world business problems using Azure AI.

Some ideas you can use:

• Automated workspaces
• IoT for homes
• Autonomous drones

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General hackathon ideas

While there are several niche hackathons that we talked about above, you don’t have to always box your virtual hackathons. Instead, here are a few generic hackathon ideas you can use too:

• Impact Analysis hosted a virtual hackathon where they wanted frontend developers to build and design AI/ML-enabled enterprise SaaS software for retail companies
• DAO Global Hackathon 2023 was a 4-week virtual hackathon to get hackers to leverage existing tools and build governance and coordination tools
• AI Genesis hackathon is organized where developers will explore the power of artificial intelligence with themes in domains like gaming, social media, visual art, and music.

3 expert tips from top engineers that can make your virtual hackathons A+

Tip #1: Have clear communication

One tip I’d like to share with you is to prioritize clear and concise communication throughout the event. Effective communication plays a crucial role in ensuring participants understand the guidelines, challenges, and judging criteria.

As a judge at various events, including the design event at Michigan Tech University, I’ve witnessed how transparent communication fosters a positive and engaging atmosphere.

To achieve this, leverage multiple channels to disseminate information, such as a dedicated hackathon website or landing page. This page can serve as a central hub for participants, providing them with detailed instructions, schedules, and access to necessary resources. Additionally, consider hosting pre-event webinars or virtual orientation sessions to address any questions or concerns participants may have.

— Piyush Tripathi, Lead Engineer, Square

Also, read: Effective Workplace Communication Tips for Remote Teams

Tip #2: Make the navigation easier

Make sure the event is well-organized and easy to navigate. This means providing clear instructions and resources for participants, as well as having a dedicated team of staff members who are available to answer questions and provide support. It is also important to create a positive and engaging atmosphere for participants so that they feel comfortable and motivated to participate.

— Gaurav Nagani, Founder of Desku.io

Tip #3: Include social interaction time

In comparison to physical hackathons, the social aspects of virtual hackathons present the biggest challenge. Building relationships and cooperating with others requires extra effort because people are no longer working in the same rooms together.

— Maria Harutyunyan, Founder of Loopex Digital

Also. read: How to Run the Perfect Virtual Hackathon — Do’s and Don’ts

How HackerEarth helps in maximizing virtual hackathons

We have put down the ins and outs of how you can host a virtual hackathon in your organization. We know the process of developing a virtual hackathon from scratch is time-consuming.

When time is money, and when your internal team doesn’t have the bandwidth to plan the event in detail, you can use HackerEarth’s end-to-end managed hackathons for organizing an event that will resonate with the developer community. From setting up the theme for your virtual hackathon to providing the landing page to promoting your virtual hackathon—HackerEarth does everything.

Curious to know more? Book a demo.

Frequently asked questions

What is a virtual hackathon?

A virtual hackathon is an event where individuals or teams connect virtually to collaborate and solve problems through technology.

During a virtual hackathon, participants usually work on projects related to software development, coding, web design, or other areas of technology. They form teams, brainstorm ideas, and work intensively over a set period of time, typically ranging from a few hours to a few days or even weeks.

Participants collaborate remotely using various communication tools, such as video conferencing, chat platforms, and project management software. They leverage their skills, creativity, and expertise to develop innovative solutions, build prototypes, or create functioning applications or software.

Organizers of virtual hackathons provide participants with the necessary resources, guidelines, and access to relevant tools or technologies. They may also organize workshops, mentorship sessions, and expert talks to support participants in their projects. At the end of the event, participants typically present their work to a panel of judges who evaluate the projects based on criteria such as innovation, functionality, and presentation.

What are the advantages of virtual hackathons?

Virtual hackathons offer several advantages over traditional in-person hackathons. Here are some key benefits:

• Diversity: It allows participants from all over the world to participate in the event—increasing the diversity of participants and encouraging a wider range of perspectives and ideas.
• Cost-effective: Participants can save on travel expenses, accommodation, and other costs associated with attending in-person hackathons. Plus, organizations can bear lower expenses when compared to physical hackathons.
• Accessibility: Participants have immediate access to online resources, documentation, tutorials, and open-source libraries, which enables rapid learning and implementation of new technologies, frameworks, or tools during the event.
• Networking: It gives them a chance to connect with participants, mentors, industry experts, and potential employers from around the world—expanding their professional network, exploring job prospects, and seeking mentorship or guidance.

How can one ensure a smooth virtual hackathon experience?

To ensure a smooth virtual hackathon experience, consider the following tips:

• Clear communication: Establish clear channels of communication for participants, mentors, and organizers. For example, Zoom for video conferencing, Slack for messaging, and Notion for project management.
• Robust technical platform: Ensure that the live streaming platform can handle the expected number of participants and their activities.
• Detailed guidelines: Provide participants with detailed guidelines about the hackathon’s rules, project submission requirements, judging criteria, and timelines.
• Realistic timelines: Give participants sufficient time to prepare before the hackathon starts. Share relevant resources, pre-event materials, and any specific challenges or problem statements in advance so participants can familiarize themselves with the topic.
• Mentors and support: Arrange subject matter experts to support participants during the hackathon. Offer mentorship sessions, Q&A opportunities, and technical assistance to help teams overcome obstacles and enhance their projects.
• Regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with participants to monitor progress, address concerns, and provide guidance. Use video conferencing or chat platforms to hold virtual stand-up meetings or progress updates.
• Engaging workshops and talks: Organize virtual workshops or talks on relevant topics to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge—technical skills, design thinking, project management, or industry insights, providing valuable learning opportunities.
• Transparent judging process: Clearly communicate the judging criteria and process to participants in advance.

Which platform is best for a hackathon?

HackerEarth’s hackathons platform helps companies conduct virtual hackathons from scratch. They provide a process management team, creative and design support, organic event promotion, and evaluation of product ideas.

What are the types of hackathons?

• Internal hackathons: These hackathons are conducted internally within the organization. Here, employees collaborate to solve internal challenges, develop new products or features, or foster innovation in the company.
• External hackathons: These hackathons are conducted externally where participants outside of the organization share their skill sets and bring in innovative solutions such as a product prototype.
• In-person hackathons: These are physical hackathons where participants come together in one place to work on projects. These events usually last for a few hours or a few days. In such hackathons, participants are restricted as only location-specific folks can only participate.
• Virtual hackathons: These are virtual events where participants from any geographical location can participate. These hackathons are hosted on a live-streaming platform which makes it easier for talent from different geographical locations to come and participate.