Eight tips for hosting a corporate hackathon

In 2020, we launched the now annual business hackathon of the University of Surrey. We gathered with a shared vision: create an opportunity for students to find out about entrepreneurship in a more engaging way than traditional education in class could provide.

Delivered for a weekend, the event now known as Hackathon17 is a combination of industry projectors, practical entrepreneurship masterclasses and team working time. Students are implemented in teams of mixed discipline and must use their varied skills to meet an industry challenge, depending on the United Nations sustainable development objectives.

They must quickly familiarize themselves with their brand new teammates, work to understand their declared problem declaration and create a product or service to improve the environment or the community faced with the problem.

At the end of the weekend, students are ready for height with a new fully trained business idea, which could make a tangible difference in a real problem.

Why host a hackathon?

Universities discover the immense value of corporate hackathons. Here is what the students earn:

• Practical skills: The fight against the problems of the real world implies critical thinking, rapid thought, communication and problem solving capacities.
• Possibility to innovate: Hackathons connect theory to practical applications, promoting innovation and creativity.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: Students explore entrepreneurial opportunities, many ideas leading to impactful initiatives.
• Collaboration: Working as part of a diversified team will improve teamwork skills and will expand the prospects.

How to configure a corporate hackathon

1. Captivating challenges: Fall down declarations of clear and engaging problems based on real industry problems. Make sure they are easily understood-test them yourself! Be ready that some students are not delighted with their assigned challenge, regardless of the team's selection method.

2. Dynamic learning environment: Equip students with relevant skills by organizing workshops led by industry experts. These “projector sessions” cover subjects linked to problem statements or relevant commercial skills, which allows students to develop their ideas. Make a partnership with the former and industry professionals to supervise and judge the event, providing precious connections and ideas of the real world.

3. Various teams to succeed: Create well -balanced teams with complementary forces by targeting a mixture of personalities and skills, mixing the academic disciplines of students and study levels. Teams need organizers, presenters, technology experts or creative thinkers. Be ready to solve the team training problems that may arise.

4. Foster Teamwork and Innovation: Allocate time dedicated to guided team work sessions to ensure progress – but avoid microgestion. Encourage students to take advantage of the other forces throughout the hackathon, But let them work on their land with only occasional support from the mentor, avoiding a constant feedback dam. Consider offering allocated mentors or reservable slopes that students can use because they deem it necessary.

5. A clear chronology is the key: Determine the duration of the hackathon (weekend, week, etc.) and take into account the dedicated time for the development of height, practice sessions and final presentations. It is crucial to find a balance between enough time for quality work and too much time, to control the students' deposit.

6. Significant prices motivate: Think beyond cash prices! Consider workshops or internship opportunities that encourage continuous commitment to the theme of the hackathon. Recognize individual achievements alongside team victories (for example, the best teamwork, leadership, the most creative idea) to motivate and recognize the contributions of students.

7. Make your various judgment panels: Select the judges with a variety of horizons and industries to ensure various prospects and continue the theme of mixed skills in all areas of the project. This could include internal university staff, students' representatives and external professionals.

8. Clarify the criteria: Define the judgment criteria beforehand. This could include factors such as innovation, the accuracy of research, the viability of profitability analyzes, the quality of the presentation (digital and verbal pitch bridge) and the management skills of questions and answers.

Challenges you might meet and how to overcome them

• A team that embodies the values ​​of interdisciplinary work

  The organization of a successful hackathon requires a set of diversified skills – innovation, entrepreneurial expertise and industry connections. Finding staff over time and the desire to contribute can be difficult. Do not go alone! Look for passionate collaborators between departments and faculties. Look for people who defend entrepreneurship and employability. Innovation teams and colleagues from the student business are natural allies, as they can already organize similar events.

  Collaborating when obtaining funding is also important – Contact the departments, find sponsors and contact student company programs To cover logistical costs.

• The adhesion of senior direction smooths the path

  Without support for leadership, securing resources and financing can be an obstacle. Proactive commitment is essential, so make sure you are looking for support leaders from the start. Highlight the advantages of students and institutional gains that can be carried out thanks to staff collaboration. Promote the initiative during staff meetings and university conferences. Do not hesitate to request meetings with decision -makers – their approval can transform your idea into reality.

Kat Mack is the former director of students and Shelini SURENDRAN is dean associate (international) of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, both at the University of Surrey.

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