A Hackathon involves coming up with an idea, execution, and presentation to solve a given challenge. The participants have to show the implementation of their ideas using technology, predominantly coding. A hackathon usually lasts up to 48 hours or more.
Ideathon is similar to a hackathon, the major difference is that it does not involve the hacking part. Many Hackathons involve Ideathons as the elementary rounds. Participants brainstorm different ideas and solutions to the given challenge. Such events can last up to 4-5 hours.
Follow These Unwritten Rules Before Participating in a Hackathon or an Ideathon
You should be thorough about what to accomplish and how to pursue it. The following points guide you on the right approach to follow before entering a Hackathon or an Ideathon.
1. Set Your Goals
Set your goal before participating. Ask yourself whether you want to participate to win? Or do you want to learn some new technology? Or maybe you just want to increase your network.
2. Explore emerging Technology
Even if you are participating in an Ideathon where you don’t have to code the solution, you should be well versed with modern innovations. This way you can figure out innovative and unique solutions with their possible implementation.
3. Prepare yourself
Think about possible ideas and themes that can be given in the challenge. This strategy will help you to come up with a solution faster in the main event.
4. Practice before action
As you already know that these events are like marathons and you will have to work for long continuous hours. So, you should practice demo sessions to plan a strategy including taking short breaks, healthy snacking, and avoiding distractions.
Plan it Right
Planning is the most crucial thing that separates a participant from a winner. Most of the teams have amazing and out-of-the-box ideas but they still end up as participants in the end. To evolve from being a participant into a winner, you must have a thorough plan to execute your ideas.
- Whether it is a Hackathon or an Ideathon, plan with your friends how to present your idea to the judges.
- Search online and ask experienced winners and participants to get a more clear thought on your planning.
- Conduct mock sessions before the D-Day, to know the flaws and overcome them.
Make The Ideal Team
The structure of the team is essential to win a Hackathon or an Ideathon. However good the idea may be, without skillful and cooperative team members, no idea can be implied. A team where every member is skilled in data science or a team where every member is a web developer will most likely fail because they will surely lack in some aspects.
- An ideal team should have members whose skills are complementary to each other’s skills.
- Ideally, there are 4 or 6 members allowed in a team. There must be a member who could take the lead. He/she should organize the team meet-ups and make the strategy for approaching your idea.
- You should try to have at least 2-3 meetups before the hackathon to set up the roles of everyone and discuss the idea more deeply.
- The more strategically you are prepared, the more the chances are for you to win.
Think beyond Your Comfort Zone
In most Hackathons and Ideathons, teams get the theme on the first day of the contest and you have to come up with the solution on the spot. You have to run your brain in all directions and think about every aspect of how can you solve the given problem statement.
- Do not get hyped and calmly channel your energy to think of an optimal solution.
- Keep a pen and paper near you and make a list of whatever comes to your mind, no matter if it is a minor technicality or a major idea.
- Try to think out of the box and keep refining your ideas as well as eliminate the impractical ones.
Pitch Your Ideas Through an Engaging Presentation
The final step is how to present what you have done so far in the contest in front of the judges. It is important to know what drove you to pursue this idea. You do not have to introduce yourself because you do not want to waste those crucial minutes.
- Make sure your presentation does justice with your idea.
- Try to explain what made you reach your solution and what impact will it have on society.
- Remember that if your presentation could get you on the top of the table, it could also throw you off the cliff.
Bottom Line
Winning a Hackathon or an Ideathon is not that far to reach if you know the right approach and have a determined mindset for it. Fix your goals, think out of your comfort zones, brainstorm, and implement. Don’t just follow the past winners, analyze the mistakes of those who couldn’t make it as well. Always have a positive approach, and you will achieve what you aspire for.