Building a Strong Internal Hackathon to Boost Productivity

A hackathon is an intensive, time-bound event where individuals or teams collaborate to solve problems, build innovative solutions, or create new products—often under tight deadlines. Traditionally popular in the tech world, hackathons have expanded to include diverse fields and skill sets.

They’re essential because they foster creativity, encourage cross-functional teamwork, and spark out-of-the-box thinking, all while driving rapid innovation and talent engagement.

Virtual hackathons are a dynamic, collaborative event that’s no longer confined to just developers. Virtual hackathons have evolved into a powerful tool for talent engagement, innovation, and even recruitment.

But let’s be honest—not all virtual hackathons are created equal. Some end up as uninspiring Zoom marathons with little impact, while others ignite creativity, foster community, and leave participants raving. So, how do you conduct a unique virtual hackathon that truly engages talent and makes a difference in your corporate and HR strategies? Let’s dive in.

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Why Virtual Hackathons Work for Talent Engagement

First, why should HR teams and corporate leaders care about virtual hackathons?

• Collaboration Across Borders: Remote teams can connect and collaborate in real-time, breaking down silos.
• Spotting Hidden Talent: Hackathons reveal problem-solving skills, creativity, and leadership in ways traditional interviews can’t.
• Boosting Employer Brand: A well-run hackathon positions your company as innovative and people-centric.
• Skill Development: Participants get hands-on experience, often learning new tools or approaches.

How to Plan a Unique Virtual Hackathon

1. Define a Clear and Exciting Purpose

A hackathon without purpose is just another meeting. Set clear objectives that align with both company goals and participant interests.

• Innovation-Focused: Solve specific business challenges or explore new product ideas.
• Social Good: Encourage projects that tackle social or environmental issues.
• Skill Showcase: Give participants a platform to demonstrate their expertise.

Tip: A theme like “Building the Future of Remote Work” can spark ideas while staying relevant.

2. Make It Inclusive—Beyond Coders

Who says hackathons are only for developers? Open participation to marketers, designers, product managers, and even HR professionals. Diverse teams lead to richer solutions.

• Example: A marketing-led team might create a viral campaign instead of a new app.
• Result: A broader range of ideas and more employees feeling engaged.

3. Choose the Right Tools

Technology can make or break your virtual hackathon. Ensure your tech stack supports collaboration, communication, and creativity.

• Video Conferencing: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.
• Collaboration Platforms: Miro, Figma, or Notion for brainstorming.
• Code Repositories: GitHub or GitLab for technical projects.
• Chat and Updates: Slack or Discord to keep energy high.

Bonus Tip: Create virtual “break rooms” for informal chats and networking.

4. Design Engaging Challenges

The challenge is the heart of the hackathon. It should be specific enough to focus efforts but broad enough to encourage creativity.

• Good Challenge Example: “Design a tool that helps remote teams combat burnout.”
• Weak Challenge Example: “Create something cool with AI.” (Too vague!)

Consider offering multiple tracks—technical, creative, and social impact—to cater to different skills and interests.

5. Offer Incentives That Matter

Yes, prizes help. But not everyone is motivated by gift cards or swag.

• Cash Prizes: Always a hit, but consider pairing them with meaningful perks.
• Career Opportunities: Offer winners interviews or internships.
• Learning Rewards: Access to premium courses, certifications, or mentorship programs.

Pro Tip: Recognize all participants with certificates or public shoutouts to boost morale.

6. Foster Engagement Throughout

Virtual fatigue is real, especially during multi-day events. Keep energy levels high with:

• Live Workshops: Invite experts to run short, interactive sessions.
• Surprise Challenges: Midway through, drop a fun twist—like “incorporate a meme into your project.”
• Gamification: Award points for collaboration, creativity, and even humor.

The Role of HR in Virtual Hackathons

So, where does HR come into play? Virtual hackathons aren’t just fun events—they’re powerful HR tools.

• Talent Discovery: Spot high-potential employees or promising external candidates.
• Employee Engagement: Boost morale, teamwork, and connection among remote employees.
• Learning & Development: Encourage upskilling in a hands-on, fun environment.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Inclusive hackathons can showcase diverse perspectives and foster a sense of belonging.

Example: A company might use a hackathon to identify employees ready for leadership roles based on how they manage teams during the event.

Measuring Success: What to Track

How do you know if your virtual hackathon actually worked?

• Participation Rates: High sign-ups and active engagement.
• Project Quality: Are the solutions innovative and relevant?
• Employee Feedback: Surveys can reveal what participants loved (or didn’t).
• Post-Event Engagement: Are participants more active in company channels? Are they discussing ideas sparked during the event?

Bonus: Track if any hackathon projects evolve into real business solutions—that’s the ultimate ROI.

Several MNCs have experimented with creative and effective strategies to make their internal hackathons more appealing. If you'd like to explore innovative approaches that have been tried and tested read our blog here: Boosting Participation in Internal Hackathons