Thursday, 10 September

ONLINE: How to Run a Successful Hackathon

Dogpatch Labs, Dublin

Thursday, 10 September | 10AM – 11:30AM

From Idea to Hackathon

Have you ever wanted to run a hackathon but didn’t know where to start?

From choosing the right format and attracting the right participants to designing the experience and making sure everything runs smoothly on the day, this Masterclass will take you through the fundamentals of running a successful hackathon.

Drawing on years of experience delivering hackathons through NDRC, alongside outside expertise from our friends at Give(A)Go, we’ll break down what works, what to consider and how to approach your first hackathon with confidence.

An Interactive & Immersive Schedule

This Masterclass will cover the key stages involved in taking a hackathon from an initial idea through to delivery.

1. Getting Started

  • Defining the purpose of your hackathon

  • Understanding what you want participants to achieve

  • Identifying your audience

2. Designing the Format

  • Choosing the right hackathon structure

  • Building the running order

  • Creating challenges, teams and judging formats

  • Designing for different participant types and skillsets

3. Building the Experience

  • Attracting and engaging participants

  • Creating a strong participant journey

  • Planning the space, materials and support required

  • Managing the operational details that matter on the day

4. What Makes a Great Hackathon

  • Lessons from NDRC hackathons

  • Practical insights from Give(A)Go

  • Common mistakes to avoid

  • Key considerations for running your first hackathon

Connected Hubs is a central driver of the Irish National Hub Network, a Government of Ireland initiative aimed at establishing and strategically expanding a network of interconnected hub facilities throughout the country. Connected Hubs is a Government of Ireland initiative under Our Rural Future. Connected Hubs is managed by the Western Development Commission in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.