The hackathon playbook: How to build, pitch and win

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  • Date
    13 May 2025
    Timeframe
    17:00 - 18:00 CEST Geneva
    Duration
    60 minutes
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    Success in a hackathon goes beyond technical skills. It requires the right strategy, effective teamwork, creative thinking, and the ability to present a compelling solution. This session will break down the key elements that set winning projects apart, covering how to choose the right challenge, scope ideas effectively, manage time, and tell a powerful story. Whether you’re working on a quantum algorithm, an educational tool, or an artistic concept, understanding how to structure and present your project can be the key to success. Learn from past winners and mentors as they share insights, common pitfalls, best practices, and ways to maximize impact across all tracks. 

    By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 

    1. Identify key success factors that distinguish winning hackathon projects, including creativity, clarity, and relevance to the challenge 
    2. Select and scope ideas effectively, aligning technical ambition with feasibility and available time 
    3. Develop strategies for strong teamwork and time management under hackathon conditions 
    4. Recognize common pitfalls in project development and pitching, and how to avoid them 
    5. Gain practical tips on enhancing impact, originality, and presentation across technical and non-technical tracks