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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Get to know Helen, the first-place winner in the highly competitive 2024 TikTok TechJam.
Earlier this year, TikTok hosted its global TechJam hackathon on Devpost, attracting over 4,400 participants worldwide. The goal? Encourage participants to break boundaries, unleash their creativity, and showcase their coding capabilities as they build solutions for real-world problems or drive innovation.
We had the opportunity to chat with Helen, the first-place winner of this prestigious challenge, to gain insights into her developer journey and the strategies she and her team employed to stand out among thousands of talented participants.
My name is Helen Nguyen, and I'm currently a senior at Case Western Reserve University, majoring in Computer Science with minors in Banking & Finance and Math. My journey in tech started early—I've been fascinated by computers since I was young, tinkering with hardware and teaching myself basic programming.
At university, I've focused on software engineering, diving deep into algorithms, data structures, and various programming paradigms. I've been fortunate to complete several internships, including a summer at a fintech startup where I worked on developing a mobile payment app, and another at a major tech company where I contributed to their cloud infrastructure team. These experiences have been invaluable in applying my academic knowledge to real-world problems.
This technical background has given me a solid foundation and the confidence to take on challenges like hackathons. It's not just about the coding skills, though. It's also about understanding how to approach problems systematically and work effectively in team environments.
Preparing for a hackathon of this magnitude required a multifaceted approach. While my technical background provided a strong foundation, I realized that success in such a competitive environment would require more than just coding skills.
Firstly, I focused on team building. I reached out to other participants, looking for individuals whose skills complemented mine. I wasn't just searching for technical prowess—I wanted teammates who were creative thinkers, good communicators, and resilient under pressure. We had several meetings before the hackathon to discuss our strengths, working styles, and expectations.
In terms of technical preparation, I spent time familiarizing myself with TikTok's developer tools and APIs. I also brushed up on technologies I thought might be relevant, such as machine learning libraries and cloud deployment services. I created a few small prototype projects to ensure I could quickly implement ideas during the hackathon.
I also focused on developing a positive environment for my teammates to freely share and voice their opinions so that we can efficiently and effectively break down large project concepts into manageable tasks.
In a sea of innovative projects, making "JiveGenie" stand out was a challenge we took very seriously.
"We knew that in addition to having a solid technical foundation, we needed something that would capture attention and leave a lasting impression," said Helen.
Our approach was multifaceted. First, we focused on solving a real, relatable problem. "JiveGenie" was born from our own experiences with the pain point. We wanted to create something that didn't just generate a choreography, but could understand the 'vibe' or 'mood' a user was looking for. This user-centric approach resonated with many people, including the judges.
Technically, we pushed ourselves to incorporate cutting-edge technologies. We used natural language processing to interpret user inputs about their mood or desired atmosphere, and implemented a novel algorithm that considered factors like tempo, key, and lyrical content to match songs to these inputs. We also integrated TikTok's API in an innovative way, allowing users to discover new music through short video clips.
But we knew that technical innovation alone might not be enough.
"That's where our presentation strategy came in—we literally 'danced our way to first place,'" said Helen.
Instead of a traditional PowerPoint presentation, we created a dynamic, interactive demo that mirrored the TikTok user experience.
Our teammate Roy had shown the judges how user-friendly and approachable our models are, which not only showcased our product but also demonstrated our understanding of TikTok's culture and user base.
Furthermore, we emphasized the potential social impact of our project. We highlighted how "JiveGenie" could help anyone gain exposure to dance and how it could be used to curate choreography for all experiences.
Lastly, we made sure our passion shone through in every aspect of our project and presentation. The judges later commented that they could feel the energy and effort we'd put into not only the attention-grabbing pitch but also the technologies we'd explored. We weren't just presenting a product; we were sharing a vision that we truly believed in.
First and foremost was our passion for the project. We weren't just building "JiveGenie" for the sake of the competition; we were creating a solution to a problem we genuinely cared about. This passion was our driving force, giving us the energy to push through long nights and overcome obstacles. It also shone through in our presentation, making our pitch more compelling and authentic.
Secondly, we adopted a user-first mindset.
Throughout the development process, we constantly asked ourselves, "How does this benefit the user?"
This approach helped us prioritize features and make decisions that enhanced the user experience, rather than just showcasing technical prowess.
Flexibility and adaptability were also crucial. When we faced setbacks, like losing team members or encountering technical difficulties, we quickly adjusted our plans instead of getting discouraged. We viewed challenges as opportunities to innovate rather than insurmountable obstacles. We also emphasized collaboration and open communication within our team. We created an environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. This led to better problem-solving and a more cohesive final product.
Another key strategy was our focus on holistic innovation. We didn't just aim to create a technically impressive product; we also paid attention to design, user experience, market potential, and social impact. This well-rounded approach set us apart from teams that may have focused too narrowly on one aspect.
Time management was critical. We set clear milestones and regularly assessed our progress. This helped us ensure that we had a complete, polished product by the deadline, rather than an ambitious but unfinished concept.
Lastly, we maintained a growth mindset throughout the hackathon. We saw every interaction—whether with mentors, judges, or other participants—as a learning opportunity. This openness to feedback and new ideas allowed us to continuously improve our project.
Every hackathon is a chance to push your boundaries, learn new skills, and create something meaningful. Even if you don't win, the growth you'll experience is invaluable.
"Take the plunge—you might surprise yourself with what you can achieve!" said Helen.
Based on my experience, I have several pieces of advice for those interested in participating in hackathons:
Are you feeling inspired to build something amazing? Check out our hackathons happening now!
