This document provides advice for winning hackathons. It discusses what a hackathon is, the benefits of attending one, and strategies for each stage - pre-hackathon, the hackathon event, and post-hackathon. The most important stage is pre-hackathon, where teams should check the authenticity of the event, form a team, analyze the problem statement, research the domain, draft a solution, and create a prototype. During the hackathon, teams should incorporate feedback, network, and focus on the presentation. After the event, teams can improve their solution and stay connected with people they met. Common hackathon questions are also addressed.

1. Strategies and
Roadmap to win any
Hackathon
Vivek Raja P S

2. A little about myself...
● From Madurai, Tamil Nadu
● Pursuing Final year Computer Science Engineering at
Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Tamil Nadu
● 15x Hackathon Winner
● Microsoft Certified Data Scientist Associate, Data
Engineer Associate, AI Engineer
● Oracle Certified Solution Architect Professional
● Active Speaker and Mentor (AI & Cloud) @ various
developer groups, conferences, hackathons etc
● Loves to play guitar, write essay & a movie, series buff

3. What is a Hackathon?

4. What is a Hackathon?
An competitive event where people (usually
in teams) participate to build a software or
hardware solution to solve the given
problem statement within a limited period of
time.

5. Let me break it down….
● It is a competitive event
● Participation as individual or group
● The event can be online or offline
● The solution can be hardware, software or just an
idea
● The hackathon runs typically 24 hours, 36 hours,
48 hours etc.

6. Why should I attend a
hackathon?

7. The benefits you reap...
● 70% added advantage compared to other candidates
during a technical interview process.
● Drastic increase in skills such as Problem solving,
research,presentation, mentoring, leadership, teamwork
● Gain knowledge in domain, software & hardware tech
● Networking
● Prizes but not limited to cash prizes, swags, placement
offers, startup investment, Exit to industry, Research
publication, patent

8. The whole
hackathon can
be split into
three stages
1. Pre-Hackathon
2. Hackathon
3. Post-Hackathon

9. The most important stage is
“PRE-HACKATHON”

10. Pre-Hackathon
Stage Work:
1. Checking authenticity
of hackathon
2. Team formation and
registration
3. Problem Statement
Analysis
4. Domain Research Work
5. Solution Drafting
6. Prototype preparation

11. Pre-Hackathon Stage Work
1. Checking Authenticity of Hackathon
○ The organizer of the hackathon
○ Eligibility
○ Level of Hackathon (Regional, National, International)
○ Venue, Travel & Stay Reimbursement
○ IP holder of the solution
○ Benefits you reap

12. Pre-Hackathon Stage Work
2. Team formation and Registration
○ Pick your team
○ Register well before the deadline
○ Do not pay for registration (mostly)
○ Assign roles within team

13. Pre-Hackathon Stage Work
3. Problem Statement
○ Read through the themes
○ Identify the one or two problem statement within the
theme
○ Identify the technologies, constraint and the solution
expected

14. 4. Domain
research work
Record the information you get
regarding the domain through
talking to experts, taking
surveys, collecting public
feedback
10min
20
5
15
20min
29
4
25
30min
39
4
35
40min
27
5
22
Item 1
Item 2

15. Pre-Hackathon Stage Work
5. Solution Drafting
○ Problem Identified
○ Existing Work
○ Proposed Solution
○ Novelty
○ Technology used (High level)
○ Economic feasibility
○ Social Impact

16. Pre-Hackathon Stage Work
6. Prototype Preparation
○ Do not build complete product
○ Try to build a feature or two of the proposed solution
○ Prototype != Product
○ Prepare boiler code/ code template
○ Experiment

17. TRUST YOUR SOLUTION
But be open to ideas/feedback

18. STAGE 2: HACKATHON
PARTICIPATION

19. General Hackathon Structure
One minute Idea pitch
First 8 hours of Solution Building
First Review
Second 8 hours of Solution Building
Second Review
Top team selection
Final Selection
Winner Announcement

20. Must do
The night before Hackathon: SLEEP WELL!
On the day of Hackathon,
1. Listen and incorporate changes/feedback of mentors,
reviewers etc
2. Networking

21. PRESENTATION OF YOUR
SOLUTION MATTERS MORE
THAN YOUR SOLUTION
ITSELF

22. POST HACKATHON
Improve your solution
Stay in touch with the people you
have networked with
Always receive certificate, proof of
submission from organ

23. GENERAL FAQs
1. I have no programming knowledge, Can I participate in hackathons?
2. I cannot find teammates
3. How to find time to prepare for Hackathons despite my busy college/
professional work?
4. Where can I find authentic Hackathons?
5. Whom can I choose as mentor?
6. What should I do if the organizer doesn’t give travel reimbursement?
7. I am coming from Tier 2,3 college and city, How can I compete
against students from top colleges and professionals from top tech
companies
8. I want to turn my hackathon idea into a startup, what should I do?

24. CLEAR YOUR
DOUBTS
SHOOT ME WITH
YOUR QUESTIONS

25. Let’s connect
Email ID: vivekraja98@gmail.com
Linkedin: @Vivek Raja P S GitHub: @Vivek0712 Twitter: @vivekraja007