Hackathons for Fun and Profit

Oct 19, 20121 like2,082 views

This document summarizes Marianne Bellotti's experience with and advice about hackathons. It discusses that hackathons are beneficial for networking, meeting influencers, learning new skills and technologies. While large events have more recognition, smaller events have a better atmosphere for bonding and mentoring. The API Hack Day event, despite seeming unpromising, proved most profitable due to the quality of people met. The summary encourages attending hackathons to build connections, skills in areas like leadership and presentations, and advises focusing hacks on a compelling core idea and demo. It provides examples of Marianne's successful hacks and prizes won at various events.

Hackathons for Fun and Profit
Marianne Bellotti, @bellmar

Profit?

Hackathons
not just about prizes

Who am I?

- No CS degree

- Self Taught

- Jack of All Trades

Who am I?

Precocious Kid
+
Computers
=
Stressed-Out Dad

Who am I?

- Discovery security vulnerability in
AOL at 14

- Hacked into my HS system at 16
(to play Tetris)

Who am I?

← Where I've hacked

Stuff I've won →

Hackathons

There's so much to gain
from hackathons

But few women attend

Myths About Hackathons
- It's about being the best hacker

- Beginners are not welcome

- Not enough time

- My hack should be a business

The Truth

Hackathons are networking events
for technical people

Why Hack?
- Build connections

- Meet influencers

- Play with new technology

- Learn

Where to Hack?

Okay sure, but which
event to attend?

Where to Hack: Large Events

- Too many people to meet

- Intense competition (aggression)

- Pre-formed teams

- Hours of demos

Where to Hack: Large Events

- Large events = more name recognition

- More stress, less bonding

Where to Hack: Small Events

- Better caliber of people

- Welcoming/Mentorship

- Inter-team mingling

Where to Hack: API Hack Day

- On paper: Worst Hackathon Ever

- In Reality: Most Profitable

Where to Hack: API Hack Day
- Tiny; Less than 30 hackers

- Wifi down all day

- Conference room of law office

- Top prize $500

Where to Hack: API Hack Day

But the people I met
there (still) invest in
me as a person

API Hack Day: Rob Spectre

- Python Developer

- Boxee

But he's since moved on to become
Developer Evangelist for Twilio

API Hack Day: David Bloom

- Entrepreneur

- Ordrin

A few months later, Ordrin became
a TechStars company

Social Capital

- Tech is very small

- The best opportunities are unadvertised

- Who you know is still more important

Building Skills

- Techies are like sharks

- Leadership, presentation, teamwork

Winning

- What do you need to convey concept?

- Do something unique/creative

- Core + Expansion

Winning

- Be strategic (sponsor prizes)

- Don't be afraid to fly solo

- Funny -versus- Great Demo

Teams Fail When...

- Come to launch a startup, not hack

- More than 20 mins of planning

- Core not compelling

Marianne's Greatest Hits

Some Hacks I've Done

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Idea: Analytics + creative writing

What it won: VC's Choice

Why it won: Only team with a working
demo. Unique concept.

Hackday.tv

Idea: Order food through your TV

What it won: Best Use of API

Why it won: Sponsor loved the idea

API Hack Day I&II

Idea I: Sports updates via Growl
Idea II: Reward meals for workouts

What they won: 1st Overall (I) Best Use of
API (I & II) 2nd place overall (II)

Why they won: Fully demo-able

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Hackathons for Fun and Profit

1. Hackathons for Fun and Profit Marianne Bellotti, @bellmar

2. Profit? Hackathons not just about prizes

3. Who am I? - No CS degree - Self Taught - Jack of All Trades

4. Who am I? Precocious Kid + Computers = Stressed-Out Dad

5. Who am I? - Discovery security vulnerability in AOL at 14 - Hacked into my HS system at 16 (to play Tetris)

6. Who am I? ← Where I've hacked Stuff I've won →

7. Who am I?

8. Hackathons There's so much to gain from hackathons But few women attend

9. Myths About Hackathons - It's about being the best hacker - Beginners are not welcome - Not enough time - My hack should be a business

10. The Truth Hackathons are networking events for technical people

11. Why Hack? - Build connections - Meet influencers - Play with new technology - Learn

12. Where to Hack? Okay sure, but which event to attend?

13. Where to Hack: Large Events - Too many people to meet - Intense competition (aggression) - Pre-formed teams - Hours of demos

14. Where to Hack: Large Events - Large events = more name recognition - More stress, less bonding

15. Where to Hack: Small Events - Better caliber of people - Welcoming/Mentorship - Inter-team mingling

16. Where to Hack: API Hack Day - On paper: Worst Hackathon Ever - In Reality: Most Profitable

17. Where to Hack: API Hack Day - Tiny; Less than 30 hackers - Wifi down all day - Conference room of law office - Top prize $500

18. Where to Hack: API Hack Day But the people I met there (still) invest in me as a person

19. API Hack Day: Rob Spectre - Python Developer - Boxee But he's since moved on to become Developer Evangelist for Twilio

20. API Hack Day: David Bloom - Entrepreneur - Ordrin A few months later, Ordrin became a TechStars company

21. Social Capital - Tech is very small - The best opportunities are unadvertised - Who you know is still more important

22. Building Skills - Techies are like sharks - Leadership, presentation, teamwork

23. Winning - What do you need to convey concept? - Do something unique/creative - Core + Expansion

24. Winning - Be strategic (sponsor prizes) - Don't be afraid to fly solo - Funny -versus- Great Demo

25. Teams Fail When... - Come to launch a startup, not hack - More than 20 mins of planning - Core not compelling

26. Marianne's Greatest Hits Some Hacks I've Done

27. Startup Weekend Idea: Analytics + creative writing What it won: VC's Choice Why it won: Only team with a working demo. Unique concept.

28. Hackday.tv Idea: Order food through your TV What it won: Best Use of API Why it won: Sponsor loved the idea

29. API Hack Day I&II Idea I: Sports updates via Growl Idea II: Reward meals for workouts What they won: 1st Overall (I) Best Use of API (I & II) 2nd place overall (II) Why they won: Fully demo-able

30. I'm Still Growing - Learning to be an expert - Battling Impostor Syndrome

31. Thank you! @bellmar

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