Raymond Biesinger


Some of the most successful hackathons are not organised by a company, but rather by independent individuals or groups interested in bringing their community together. "If a hackathon is about the company throwing the event, it's always really obvious, and it's usually not great," says Mike Swift, founder of Major League Hacking. Organising such a large event can be daunting, but if you follow these steps -- and recruit a few friends to help -- you can empower your community to code tools you'll value.

Sort out the space
It's easy to find a 100- to 400-person venue in large cities, often donated for free by a company. Use social media to help source it. However, finding larger venues can be "a logistical nightmare," Swift says. If you're a student, your university may have an auditorium that could work. Websites such as skillshare.com list possible venues. When searching, try to find a large, open space, as this promotes a stronger group vibe.

Fill in the details
For populating your event, as well as using social media, partner with other student or community groups that can help attract a diverse crowd, rather than just your immediate circle. For an overnight event, food is a must, and when sorting out prizes, remember that people go to hackathons primarily for learning and networking, so prizes needn't be very costly -- they could be a £100 Amazon gift card, a free trip to next year's hackathon or even a jokey, cheap trophy. Judges are usually respected volunteers from the community.

Be sure you're plugged in
Check you have enough mains outlets; hackers typically want to plug their computers in. Ensure the Wi-Fi is up to scratch, too. Hackathons are high-density, high-bandwidth situations, which many Wi-Fi networks are not designed for. "If the Wi-Fi goes down, the event is useless," Swift says. Even if the owners of the venue say it checks out, get an IT specialist to take a look and make sure it will work in terms of both Wi-Fi and power. External vendors can be hired to supply power and Wi-Fi if all else fails. Backup generators are also useful.

Recruit sponsors
You'll need sponsors to cover costs (it's always free for participants). Budget for food, drink and T-shirts (around £15 a head), the venue fee, Wi-Fi and power, prizes and even insurance and security, depending on the size of the event. If you're a student, get your college department or school to sponsor it. Companies that build tools for developers are common sponsors for hackathons -- after all, your participants are a core market for their products.


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