A hackathon is a unique opportunity. Collaboration brings experts from different professions together to tackle challenges in software development. A hackathon is not only about rapid application development but also about teamwork across disciplines. The dynamic environment it creates enables a creative approach and the search for innovative solutions.

Hackathons: history, evolution, and today

The hackathon emerged at the turn of the millennium as an event for programmers aiming to develop functional software within a limited time. Early events were organized by tech companies and universities to foster innovation and team collaboration. Over time, the concept spread to other areas, bringing in not only developers but also designers, marketers, and analysts.

From tech companies to broad adoption

With growing popularity, hackathons became part of corporate strategies and the startup ecosystem. Companies use them not only to scout talent but also as a tool to solve specific problems or test new technologies. Thanks to the open format and intensive collaboration, innovations emerge that would otherwise take months or years.

Today, hackathons have expanded into various fields, combining technical skills with design, marketing, and business. Teams quickly come up with new solutions, which fosters cross‑disciplinary collaboration and brings fresh ideas.

• Early hackathons – participants from IT communities focused on rapid development of new applications and tools.
• Expansion into other sectors – hackathons began to be organized in areas such as healthcare, education, and the non‑profit sector to address specific problems or innovate services.

How does a hackathon work?

Hackathons are usually organized as intensive, time‑limited competitions where teams work to create a functional solution or prototype. Each event has a defined objective that participants focus on. For attendees, it’s an opportunity not only to showcase their skills but also to make new connections and explore innovative approaches.

Structure and rules

Hackathons typically have clear rules and a timeframe within which participants must achieve the set goal. These rules are key to smooth operation, defining how teams organize and what must be accomplished during the event.

• Set time frame – hackathons can last from a few hours to several days. Participants must use this time for development.
• Focus and theme – each hackathon has a theme that defines the problem to be tackled. It can involve technological innovation, social issues, or specific challenges.
• Participant requirements – some hackathons have specific rules regarding tools or code, such as the requirement to use a specific platform or programming language.

Participant roles and teamwork

While many hackathons are programming‑related, success depends on teamwork across different professions. Participants include not only programmers but also designers, analysts, marketers, and others. Each role is essential to ensure the result is not only functional but also attractive and easy to use.

An interesting example is developing a new computer game over a single weekend. Czech art schools, such as FaVU, regularly take part in these competitions.

• Developers and programmers – focus on coding and building the technical solution. Without their work, the project cannot function.
• Designers – focus on user friendliness and aesthetics, which are crucial for any product’s success today.
• Marketers and analysts – help define goals, strategy, and project direction, often focusing on market potential and the target audience.

Benefits for participants and organizers

Hackathon participants face challenges that require new technologies and cross‑disciplinary knowledge. This pressure on innovative thinking and rapid decision‑making is ideal for personal growth and professional development. Hackathons provide a unique environment for improving both technical and soft skills.

Participants learn not only to apply new tools quickly but also to collaborate effectively with people from different fields, improving their communication and teamwork.

Networking and collaboration

During a hackathon, participants have the opportunity to meet mentors and collaborators from various areas. Networking at these events can lead to new job opportunities or future projects.

• Cross‑disciplinary collaboration – participants can work with experts from different professions, bringing new perspectives to problem‑solving.
• Valuable feedback – after the hackathon, participants can receive feedback from mentors and experts to help refine their work and applications.

Hackathon: examples of successful use in practice

Hackathons around the world have produced many innovations and ideas that later evolved into successful projects. Here are a few examples showing how hackathons can spark creative collaboration and lead to relevant, commercially successful ideas.

• TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon – this hackathon brought the GroupMe app to life, which became one of the most popular group chat platforms and was later acquired by Skype.
• NASA Space Apps Challenge – a hackathon where teams work on space‑related solutions, which led to the development of the Space App Camp application to educate children on scientific topics.
• HackZurich – a European hackathon where projects like Carvolution, an online platform for car sharing, and CureMetrix, which uses AI to improve breast cancer diagnostics, were created.
• Facebook Global Hackathon – this hackathon helped create Instagram, which became one of the world’s most significant social media platforms.
• MHacks – a hackathon hosted by the University of Michigan that led to the development of BigDataBear, a tool for analyzing data from various sources.
• HackerEarth Hackathon – this platform hosts hackathons focused on AI and machine learning, which led to a successful AI‑powered résumé screening project for recruitment.

Useful links:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackathon
2. https://www.brightidea.com/guide/hackathon/what-is-a-hackathon/