Hackathon
Success 101
Unfair Advantage : From Idea to Winning Pitch
Narula Institute of Technology
- Samrat Talukdar
GDG Lead
OUR
SPEAKERS
- Soumyadeep Bhowmick
AIML Lead
OUR
SPEAKERS
A hackathon is a time-bound event (usually 24–72 hours)
where people collaborate to build innovative solutions —
apps, websites, AI tools, or hardware prototypes.
The goal: turn an idea into a working prototype fast!
It’s not just coding — it’s creativity + teamwork + storytelling.
What is a
Hackathon?
Narula Institute of Technology
Finding the Problem Worth Solving
● Is it really a problem?
– Does it affect real people? Is there emotional value or impact?
● Feasibility Analysis
– Can it be built in 24–48 hrs with your current tech stack?
● Research Elaborately like a Pro
– Use tools like Perplexity.ai and Google Trends to validate ideas fast.
Don’t pick futuristic impossible stuff. Pick doable + impactful ideas.
How to choose a
problem for winning?
1. Devpost.com
2. Hack2Skill
3. Unstop
4. Major League Hacking (MLH)
5. Hackathons.com
6. Hackquest
7. Devfolio
Where can you
find Hackathons?
Narula Institute of Technology
6 best coders is not equal to a best team.
How to form
a team?
Narula Institute of Technology
● Backend (Node.js, Python, Firebase)
● Frontend (React, Next.js, Flutter)
● AI/ML (OpenAI, TensorFlow, LangChain)
● Web3 (Solidity, Aptos, Ethereum)
● Design (Figma, Canva, Microsoft Powerpoint)
● Presentation (Storytelling, Pitch decks)
What skills are required?
Hackathons rewards diversity of skills.
● Communicate regularly —
use Discord/Notion/Trello
for tracking.
● Use GitHub branches to
avoid chaos in code
merges ● Share feedback early; avoid
ego clashes.
● Celebrate small wins during
the hackathon.
How to work collaboratively
in a team?
“Divide the project like a pizza — everyone gets a slice, but the base (idea) stays common.”
What to do before
the Hackathon
starts?
The Calm Before the Code-Storm
Narula Institute of Technology
1. Research your theme in advance.
2. Prepare reusable components (like login UI, DB setup).
3. Read past winning projects.
4. Make a small pitch outline & name your team/project.
5. Create a “starter kit” folder before hackathon day —
assets, code snippets, templates.
IMPORTANT TIPS
Speed is your Superpower!
How to Build
Quickly and
Effectively?
Narula Institute of Technology
● Build MVP first — fancy features later.
● Use APIs, AI tools, and pre-built templates.
● Keep design minimal but functional.
● Integrate and test early, not last minute.
Speed is your Superpower!
Tips & Tricks
How to Pitch
And Win?
Narula Institute of Technology
2-min demo.
Show the working product
(live or recorded).
1-min hook.
Why your problem matters.
1-min close.
Impact + Future Scope.
“Sell Like a Pro,
Talk Like a Noob”
Keep it simple — judges value clarity more than buzzwords.
Ask us anything!
Q&A Session
Narula Institute of Technology
Hackathons aren’t about
winning — they’re about
building who you’ll
become.

HACKATHON SUCCESS 101 GDGoC NiT 18/10/25

  • 1.
    Hackathon Success 101 Unfair Advantage: From Idea to Winning Pitch Narula Institute of Technology
  • 2.
    - Samrat Talukdar GDGLead OUR SPEAKERS
  • 3.
    - Soumyadeep Bhowmick AIMLLead OUR SPEAKERS
  • 4.
    A hackathon isa time-bound event (usually 24–72 hours) where people collaborate to build innovative solutions — apps, websites, AI tools, or hardware prototypes. The goal: turn an idea into a working prototype fast! It’s not just coding — it’s creativity + teamwork + storytelling. What is a Hackathon? Narula Institute of Technology
  • 5.
    Finding the ProblemWorth Solving ● Is it really a problem? – Does it affect real people? Is there emotional value or impact? ● Feasibility Analysis – Can it be built in 24–48 hrs with your current tech stack? ● Research Elaborately like a Pro – Use tools like Perplexity.ai and Google Trends to validate ideas fast. Don’t pick futuristic impossible stuff. Pick doable + impactful ideas. How to choose a problem for winning?
  • 6.
    1. Devpost.com 2. Hack2Skill 3.Unstop 4. Major League Hacking (MLH) 5. Hackathons.com 6. Hackquest 7. Devfolio Where can you find Hackathons? Narula Institute of Technology
  • 7.
    6 best codersis not equal to a best team. How to form a team? Narula Institute of Technology
  • 8.
    ● Backend (Node.js,Python, Firebase) ● Frontend (React, Next.js, Flutter) ● AI/ML (OpenAI, TensorFlow, LangChain) ● Web3 (Solidity, Aptos, Ethereum) ● Design (Figma, Canva, Microsoft Powerpoint) ● Presentation (Storytelling, Pitch decks) What skills are required? Hackathons rewards diversity of skills.
  • 9.
    ● Communicate regularly— use Discord/Notion/Trello for tracking. ● Use GitHub branches to avoid chaos in code merges ● Share feedback early; avoid ego clashes. ● Celebrate small wins during the hackathon. How to work collaboratively in a team? “Divide the project like a pizza — everyone gets a slice, but the base (idea) stays common.”
  • 10.
    What to dobefore the Hackathon starts? The Calm Before the Code-Storm Narula Institute of Technology
  • 11.
    1. Research yourtheme in advance. 2. Prepare reusable components (like login UI, DB setup). 3. Read past winning projects. 4. Make a small pitch outline & name your team/project. 5. Create a “starter kit” folder before hackathon day — assets, code snippets, templates. IMPORTANT TIPS
  • 12.
    Speed is yourSuperpower! How to Build Quickly and Effectively? Narula Institute of Technology
  • 13.
    ● Build MVPfirst — fancy features later. ● Use APIs, AI tools, and pre-built templates. ● Keep design minimal but functional. ● Integrate and test early, not last minute. Speed is your Superpower!
  • 14.
    Tips & Tricks Howto Pitch And Win? Narula Institute of Technology
  • 15.
    2-min demo. Show theworking product (live or recorded). 1-min hook. Why your problem matters. 1-min close. Impact + Future Scope. “Sell Like a Pro, Talk Like a Noob” Keep it simple — judges value clarity more than buzzwords.
  • 16.
    Ask us anything! Q&ASession Narula Institute of Technology
  • 17.
    Hackathons aren’t about winning— they’re about building who you’ll become.