Hackathons for Fun and Profit
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This document summarizes Marianne Bellotti's experience with and advice about hackathons. It discusses that hackathons are beneficial for networking, meeting influencers, learning new skills and technologies. While large events have more recognition, smaller events have a better atmosphere for bonding and mentoring. The API Hack Day event, despite seeming unpromising, proved most profitable due to the quality of people met. The summary encourages attending hackathons to build connections, skills in areas like leadership and presentations, and advises focusing hacks on a compelling core idea and demo. It provides examples of Marianne's successful hacks and prizes won at various events.
Hackathons for Fun and Profit
- 1. Hackathons for Fun and Profit Marianne Bellotti, @bellmar
- 2. Profit? Hackathons not just about prizes
- 3. Who am I? - No CS degree - Self Taught - Jack of All Trades
- 4. Who am I? Precocious Kid + Computers = Stressed-Out Dad
- 5. Who am I? - Discovery security vulnerability in AOL at 14 - Hacked into my HS system at 16 (to play Tetris)
- 6. Who am I? Where I've hacked Stuff I've won
- 7. Who am I?
- 8. Hackathons There's so much to gain from hackathons But few women attend
- 9. Myths About Hackathons - It's about being the best hacker - Beginners are not welcome - Not enough time - My hack should be a business
- 10. The Truth Hackathons are networking events for technical people
- 11. Why Hack? - Build connections - Meet influencers - Play with new technology - Learn
- 12. Where to Hack? Okay sure, but which event to attend?
- 13. Where to Hack: Large Events - Too many people to meet - Intense competition (aggression) - Pre-formed teams - Hours of demos
- 14. Where to Hack: Large Events - Large events = more name recognition - More stress, less bonding
- 15. Where to Hack: Small Events - Better caliber of people - Welcoming/Mentorship - Inter-team mingling
- 16. Where to Hack: API Hack Day - On paper: Worst Hackathon Ever - In Reality: Most Profitable
- 17. Where to Hack: API Hack Day - Tiny; Less than 30 hackers - Wifi down all day - Conference room of law office - Top prize $500
- 18. Where to Hack: API Hack Day But the people I met there (still) invest in me as a person
- 19. API Hack Day: Rob Spectre - Python Developer - Boxee But he's since moved on to become Developer Evangelist for Twilio
- 20. API Hack Day: David Bloom - Entrepreneur - Ordrin A few months later, Ordrin became a TechStars company
- 21. Social Capital - Tech is very small - The best opportunities are unadvertised - Who you know is still more important
- 22. Building Skills - Techies are like sharks - Leadership, presentation, teamwork
- 23. Winning - What do you need to convey concept? - Do something unique/creative - Core + Expansion
- 24. Winning - Be strategic (sponsor prizes) - Don't be afraid to fly solo - Funny -versus- Great Demo
- 25. Teams Fail When... - Come to launch a startup, not hack - More than 20 mins of planning - Core not compelling
- 26. Marianne's Greatest Hits Some Hacks I've Done
- 27. Startup Weekend Idea: Analytics + creative writing What it won: VC's Choice Why it won: Only team with a working demo. Unique concept.
- 28. Hackday.tv Idea: Order food through your TV What it won: Best Use of API Why it won: Sponsor loved the idea
- 29. API Hack Day I&II Idea I: Sports updates via Growl Idea II: Reward meals for workouts What they won: 1st Overall (I) Best Use of API (I & II) 2nd place overall (II) Why they won: Fully demo-able
- 30. I'm Still Growing - Learning to be an expert - Battling Impostor Syndrome