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This article was taken from the August 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Some of the most successful hackathons are not organised by a company, but rather by independent individuals or groups interested in bringing their community together. "If a hackathon is about the company throwing the event, it's always really obvious, and it's usually not great," says Mike Swift, founder of Major League Hacking. Organising such a large event can be daunting, but if you follow these steps -- and recruit a few friends to help -- you can empower your community to code tools you'll value.
Sort out the space
It's easy to find a 100- to 400-person venue in large cities, often donated for free by a company. Use social media to help source it. However, finding larger venues can be "a logistical nightmare," Swift says. If you're a student, your university may have an auditorium that could work. Websites such as skillshare.com list possible venues. When searching, try to find a large, open space, as this promotes a stronger group vibe.
Fill in the details
For populating your event, as well as using social media, partner with other student or community groups that can help attract a diverse crowd, rather than just your immediate circle. For an overnight event, food is a must, and when sorting out prizes, remember that people go to hackathons primarily for learning and networking, so prizes needn't be very costly -- they could be a £100 Amazon gift card, a free trip to next year's hackathon or even a jokey, cheap trophy. Judges are usually respected volunteers from the community.
Be sure you're plugged in
Check you have enough mains outlets; hackers typically want to plug their computers in. Ensure the Wi-Fi is up to scratch, too.
Hackathons are high-density, high-bandwidth situations, which many Wi-Fi networks are not designed for. "If the Wi-Fi goes down, the event is useless," Swift says. Even if the owners of the venue say it checks out, get an IT specialist to take a look and make sure it will work in terms of both Wi-Fi and power. External vendors can be hired to supply power and Wi-Fi if all else fails. Backup generators are also useful.
Recruit sponsors
You'll need sponsors to cover costs (it's always free for participants). Budget for food, drink and T-shirts (around £15 a head), the venue fee, Wi-Fi and power, prizes and even insurance and security, depending on the size of the event. If you're a student, get your college department or school to sponsor it.
Companies that build tools for developers are common sponsors for hackathons -- after all, your participants are a core market for their products.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
