Navigating Your First Hackathon: A Beginner's Guide

In my interactions with the Web3 community, I've been amazed to discover that many people are unfamiliar with hackathons. Every time I share my enthusiasm for these events and explain why they are such a fantastic experience, it feels like I'm telling the same story. So, I've decided to offer a brief overview of my experiences to help newcomers get started.

Understanding Hackathons

A hackathon can be likened to a meetup for tech-savvy individuals. It's an environment where like-minded enthusiasts come together to collaborate on solving problems or creating something new. Participating in a hackathon is an opportunity to enhance your IT skills, make new friends, and team up with others who share your interests. What's more, every team has a shot at winning exciting prizes!

Hackathon Diversity

Hackathons come in various forms, such as online and in-person events, and there are mixed variations where some participants join in person while others participate remotely. Offline hackathons are typically intensive and last for 1-2 days, while online hackathons often extend over 2-4 weeks.

Who Can Participate?

Hackathons are inclusive and open to a diverse group of participants, including developers, designers, product and project managers, and other tech enthusiasts. Eligibility requirements can vary, so it's essential to review the specific rules for each hackathon before you jump in. Participating in a hackathon can be free or may require a deposit, which is typically returned upon project submission.

Choosing the Right Hackathon

When selecting a hackathon, it's crucial to consider your interests, skills, and the alignment of the event with your expertise or passion. Research the hackathon's theme, duration, and location. Also, check if the event offers valuable resources, mentoring, or prizes that match your goals. Even if you don't have much experience, don't let that discourage you. These events are often open to participants of all skill levels.?

Finally, think about whether you prefer an in-person or online format and ensure the timing fits your schedule. For your convenience, I've compiled a list of recommendations:

- EthGlobal

- Encode Club

- Devfolio

- DoraHacks

To register, prepare links to your social media profiles and your portfolio on platforms like GitHub or your personal website. Be ready to share why you're participating and what you hope to create. After registration, you'll gain access to the hackathon platform and Discord. Don't forget to deposit if required, and always read the hackathon rules carefully.

Joining a Team

You can participate in a hackathon either as a solo participant or as part of a team. If you choose the latter, you can either team up with friends in advance or join a team during the hackathon. Organizers often facilitate team-building sessions and chats where participants can exchange ideas, contact information, and unite as a cohesive team. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced participant, don't hesitate to introduce yourself, your skills, and your readiness to work on your own idea or contribute to others'.

Building Your Project

At the start of a hackathon, sponsors usually hold workshops where they present their products. These sessions are a valuable opportunity to refine your idea and choose the products that align with your project's objectives. Ensure that these products can be technically integrated into your idea, for example, by supporting the same blockchain. Sponsors can provide guidance in this regard, as they are well-versed in how their products operate.

It's important to remember that your project must be built from scratch. Create a GitHub repository and start developing. If you encounter challenges during the development process, don't waste precious time on futile searches. Instead, reach out to mentors and partners, who can help you resolve issues more efficiently. Keep a close eye on deadlines, and if necessary, consider simplifying your project to meet them. To boost productivity and save time, use hacker frameworks such as Scaffold-Eth-2 , which come equipped with tools like NextJS, Hardhat, RainbowKit, Wagmi, and TypeScript to expedite the Ethereum dApp development process.

Submitting Your Project

Submission rules and deadlines can be found on the platform. Pay close attention to these deadlines, and start preparing to submit your project 3-6 hours before the deadline. Your presentation should cover the project's topic, your team, the problem you're addressing, your solution, a description of how the application works, a demonstration, and a roadmap. Presentations usually have a time limit of 3-4 minutes. For recording your presentation, tools like Loom and Zoom are recommended. Install and familiarize yourself with these tools before the hackathon. Create a brief video following the above plan, upload it to the platform, and provide any other necessary details.

Pitching and Judging

Be ready to present your project to the judges and answer to their questions. In online hackathons, pitches typically take place on Zoom, while at in-person events, you'll need to wait for your turn. These presentations usually last about 8-10 minutes. Following your presentation, patiently await the results, which will be available on the platform or sent via email.

Finale and Prizes

The top projects have the opportunity to advance to the finals of the hackathon. If your project is among the finalists, congratulations are in order! Honors and exciting prizes await you. However, if your project doesn't make it to the finals, don't be discouraged. Wait until all the results are announced, as your project may still win a prize or bounty from a partner. Enjoy connecting with like-minded individuals, and don't forget to exchange contact information. At in-person hackathons, be sure to participate in the after-party and savor the experience.?

The bottom line is that hackathons are about more than just winning; they are about learning, building, and connecting with a vibrant community of tech enthusiasts. If you're an experienced hacker, feel free to share your life hacks in the comments below!

Happy hacking! ????