Hacking Hackathons for Non-technical Hackers

How to win hackathons as well as learn something, even for the non-technical hackathoner.

Sample Presentation for SXSW Interactive Panel Picker Final Presentation will have more info

Do I know anything about Hackathons?

• Yes

• I’ve competed in or advised teams for about 10 hackathons in last 4 years

• Various sizes, technology, and industry focus.

• Last three won prizes.

Placeholder Boston

Hackathon

Sample Presentation for SXSW Interactive Panel Picker Final Presentation will have more info

Projects I have worked on or advised

• Encrypted Twitter Client

• Hardcopy Facebook mailer for the non-technical

• ATT Uverse integration with Social media

• Interactive TV and mobile phone integration

• Beacon triangulation for location tracking and text-to-speech guidance indoors

• TV and Travel mobile interactive app

• “AirBnB for Adult/Fetish Parties”

Placeholder Boston

Hackathon

Sample Presentation for SXSW Interactive Panel Picker Final Presentation will have more info

There is no perfect size or team makeup

Teams range in size and technical skill

Smallest team size = 1 person

Largest team size = 8 people

Winning teams = 2, 4, and 7 people per team

From 0 developers to 4 developers

Sample Presentation for SXSW Interactive Panel Picker

Final Presentation will have more info

Strategize for the Sponsors• Know the primary sponsors

• Target their API’s

• Use the personal help they provide

• Ask questions, even if you think you don’t need to

• Check what prizes you want to ‘compete’ in and use those API’s somehow

• Winning begets winning

Sample Presentation for SXSW Interactive Panel Picker

Final Presentation will have more info

What you need

Project management

Strategy for Sponsors, API’s, and Prizes

Design the workflow for the project

Code a working example

Social Media for Hackathons targeting public interaction

GREAT PRESENTATIONS DANG IT!!!

Sample Presentation for SXSW Interactive Panel Picker

Final Presentation will have more info

GREAT PRESENTATIONS DANG IT!!!

Write a script

Practice, and Practice, and Practice

Be FAST

2/3rds of the allotted time at most in practice

Get a Lead speaker, but feel free to add others.

Walk Through the real world use case.

Sample Presentation for SXSW Interactive Panel Picker

Final Presentation will have more info