Hackathon Planning

A Guide to Planning Internal Hackathons for Your Entire Company

Learn how to plan and manage company-wide hackathons to boost employee engagement and spark innovation.

You never know where the next great idea will come from. That’s what makes hackathons so exciting. It isn’t surprising that more and more companies now run internal hackathons as part of their employee engagement and innovation initiatives. These events use a bit of friendly competition to spark creativity and help teams generate new ideas.

Taking it to the next level, company-wide internal hackathons bring everyone together to brainstorm ideas, solve problems, and bond as a team.

Read on to see how an all-hands hackathon could help improve company culture and what you need to know about planning it. 

Why run an all-hands hackathon?

So, you’re getting ready to host a company-wide hackathon? Great idea! Here are some of the benefits you can expect from your event.

Encourage cross-functional team collaboration

Hackathons aren’t exclusively for developers anymore. There are many different types of internal hackathons you can use to bring together diverse skills and perspectives.

AI makes cross-collaboration easier, too. AI allows non-developers to join more technical hackathons, enabling cross-functional teams to collaborate effectively.

Boost employee engagement and skills

Hackathons can be a fun shake-up from day-to-day work. When employees are involved in a project they’re passionate about, it boosts morale and creates a positive work environment.

It’s also a great opportunity for skill development, which many people appreciate. Internal hackathons enhances problem-solving abilities and helps employees develop new skills and knowledge in a short period of time.

Solve real problems and generate new ideas

Employees have a deep understanding of the processes and problems of their business—meaning they’re better equipped than anyone to solve those problems or come up with new ideas that’ll actually work.

Internal hackathons give employees the chance to brainstorm freely and experiment with new ideas. Chances are that they’ll find gold, too. In a recent internal hackathon at Healthcare Bluebook, 50% of the project submissions could be immediately implemented after the hackathon.

Live your company values and foster a culture of innovation

Innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a core value that drives successful companies forward. Hackathons showcase your company’s commitment to innovation by giving teams a platform to explore new ideas.

Access the free guide to keep reading

A guide to planning internal hackathons for your entire company

You’ll learn:

  • How to kick off your pre-event planning, including choosing a topic, finding judges, and the tools to help save time
  • How to plan the hackathon logistics
  • How to create an unforgettable hackathon experience for participants
  • How to maximize post-hackathon results

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