Participant resources
How to win a hackathon: Advice from 5 seasoned judges
Take a look inside the inner workings of the judging process from some of our most experienced hackathon judges.
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Dive deeper into what it takes to understand a hackathon’s submission and judging criteria.
Hackathons are exciting opportunities to showcase your skills, collaborate with peers, and bring your innovative ideas to life. However, to succeed in a hackathon, it's crucial to go beyond just building a project. You need to understand what the judges are looking for and tailor your submission accordingly. Let's delve into the key judging criteria and how you can make your project stand out.
Before you even start brainstorming ideas, thoroughly review the hackathon's requirements and rules. This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many submissions are disqualified simply because they didn't meet the baseline criteria!
Eligibility rules: Are there any restrictions on who can participate? These may include age restrictions or location restrictions. You can find this to the right of the “Join Hackathon” button on any Devpost hackathon.
Building requirements: Are there specific technologies or platforms the hackathon requires you to use?
Required tools: Do you need to incorporate certain APIs or libraries?
URLs: Do you need to provide specific links to your project or demo within the submission? Are these links accessible to the judges?
Demo submission: Are there length limitations to your demo video? Is your demo video public?
Make sure you tick all these boxes before moving forward!
Each hackathon will have specific judging criteria which you can find within the hackathon site. Let's explore some common judging criteria and what they really mean.
Technological Implementation: This is where judges assess how well you've utilized the required tools and technologies. They'll also consider the complexity and technical sophistication of your project. Don't be afraid to push boundaries and showcase your technical expertise.
Ease of use: A great project isn't just technically impressive, it's also user-friendly. Judges will look for an intuitive design and a smooth user experience. Make sure your project is easy to navigate and understand.
Tip: Put yourself in the user's shoes. If you can't explain how to use your project in a sentence or two, it might be too complicated.
Demonstration: Your demo video is your chance to shine. It should clearly and concisely explain your project, its features, and its benefits. A well-crafted demo can significantly boost your chances of winning.
Tip: Check out this blog post for tips on making a winning demo video from past hackathon winners!
Potential impact: Does your project solve a genuine problem? Does it have the potential to make a positive impact? If so, make sure to highlight this in your submission.
Tip: Research your problem area thoroughly. Understanding the landscape helps you articulate your project's potential impact.
Quality of the Idea: Originality and innovation are highly valued in hackathons. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions.
Design: A clean, functional, and professional design can go a long way. Pay attention to the aesthetics of your project and make sure it is presented well.
Tip: You can make a great project design even if you’re not a designer, check out this blog post to learn more about how to use AI to elevate your submission.
Check the rules page: Seriously, read the rules page carefully. It will outline all the eligibility and submission requirements.
Theme inspiration: If the hackathon has a theme, use it as inspiration for your project. This will demonstrate your understanding of the hackathon's goals and increase the relevance of your submission.
Practice Your Pitch: If there's a presentation component, practice your pitch beforehand. A confident and well-rehearsed presentation can make a strong impression on the judges.
It’s easy to get carried away by the excitement of building something new in a hackathon and overlook the key rules and requirements. Remember, even the most brilliant ideas can be lost in the shuffle if they don't meet the hackathon's criteria.
Take a step back, review the guidelines carefully, and ensure your project is eligible for submission. By going back to the basics and paying attention to the details, you'll increase your chances of success and make your hard work truly count.
Ready to dive into a new hackathon? Register for one of our open hackathons and get your submission started!
