Hackathons
Public & invite-only hackathons, internal ones, longer-term innovation exercises, institutionalizing hackathon mechanics in company culture - all of these require an approach that begins with a full understanding of how things fit within a grander plan - whether that's to fuel product development, recruit, define culture, win political favor, shift brand perception, strengthen international relations, etc.
“I worked with HackerNest on two unorthodox projects testing new ideas, and in both cases the HackerNest team proved to be highly capable, agile, and professional. We would not have been able to deliver either project without HackerNest, and they made both events far more successful than we had hoped. They would be my first choice of partner for any technology-related project. I need to be able to trust that my partners will do what they say they’re going to do, when they say they’re going to do it, and raise any issues immediately. This, in my experience, is HackerNest’s strongest asset – they deliver, no matter what.” — John Preece, Ph.D.; Sector Development Officer, City of Toronto
“… provided strategic direction & tactical support throughout the program … valuable perspectives … very committed to our success. They continue to enhance the program with deep insights … helped support our drive to a changing culture within Deloitte …. confident in their abilities. ” — Keyur S.; Deloitte
We’ve helped decision-makers at the world's strongest brands turn innovation strategy into execution.
Unlike others, we want you to develop effective hackathon production skills internally so you don’t keep paying others, ad infinitum, to run things for you. More efficient and impactful innovation exercises saves precious resources that can be better allocated elsewhere.
[ time, funds, opportunity cost, + more ]
Institutionalizing hackathon mechanics and strategy in organization DNA is a long-term win. More hackathon-planning finesse and capabilities lets your team achieve peak performance for that next event.
Get in touch. advisory@hackernest.com
We currently have limited capacity for advising and coaching on hackathons. If your nonprofit, charity, social enterprise, or value-driven company is looking to internally develop an effective hackathon strategy and world-class production mechanics to craft a formidable first or next event, get in touch for a 15 min chat.
Hackathon production chops.
At the heart - carefully crafted hackathons tackling a set of strategic challenges endemic to a single issue or cause. Channeling audience, participant, and stakeholder energy appropriately to demonstrate value across the entire exercise is key to ensuring success, not just at the end, but also in the discovery and brainstorming stages.
“The British Consulate-General in Toronto has collaborated on a number of high-impact tech events and campaigns with HackerNest. Their tech, social science, and community savvy, coupled with their global platform, enabled the British Government to deliver innovative outcomes in dementia research and cooperation between Toronto, London, and other global cities. ” — Kevin McGurgan; OBE; British Consul-General Toronto, UK Government
“Facebook is proud to have been the presenting sponsor of DementiaHack. It was an honor and a privilege for me, as Chair, to have helped guide the event towards such a positive outcome. Anyone can run a hack event, but it is an entirely different thing to produce the world’s foremost dementia hackathon, which is why we chose to partner with HackerNest. Their experience, dedication, and enthusiasm helped ensure DementiaHack ran smoothly and it was a pleasure working with their team. ” — Jordan Banks; Managing Director, Facebook & Instagram
“In case anyone wondered, *this* is what a #hackathon looks like. #DementiaHack #awesome #inspiring.” — Amanda Wilson.; Executive Director & Director General, Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada
When experiential stakeholders - mentors, advisors, judges, attendees, watchers - leave with lasting impressions and renewed energy, that’s a win.
Some areas of event production and strategy often overlooked…
Strong Strategy Fundamentals
Understanding fundamentals and the frameworks involved. Definitive asks & goals, requisite buy-ins, realistic metrics..
Stakeholder Development
Effective sponsor, partner, and community development so the right organizations and people are involved.
Engagement
Stakeholder engagement for participants, mentors, and judges in problem solving, expert involvement, and greater impact.
Execution
Production finesse in executing with clarity, foresight, accretive to organizational value, and omni-channel visibility where needed.
Incentive & Recognition
“Winning” and prizing strategies that provides adequate recognition to minimize that ‘wasted effort’ perception.
Pathways to Success
Critical paths to post-event stewardship & aftercare to sustain the momentum & build lasting value.
Highlights of notable hackathons.
DementiaHack - the world’s foremost and largest dementia hackathon series.
Presented by Facebook and chaired by Jordan Banks, we brought this hackathon to life over a number of years to explore tools and solutions for very specific challenges in patient welfare, caregivers & clinicians, and researchers.
“…the air in the room felt electrified, there was a feeling of sheer excitement and everyone was pumped. I thought that on the second day, this atmosphere would have dwindled, but it didn’t. If anything, it had increased …I would like to finish by saying that this was one of the greatest events I have ever attended. I was on a personal high for days after this event. It has made me strive to do better in the work I do for Alzheimer’s.
If I was ever asked to participate again, I would jump at the chance to do so. No matter where or when, I would go just to get this totally awesome experience again. I would also recommend to anyone asked to participate to say yes – this is something that I feel everyone should do at least once in a lifetime.
As an off-note, my granddaughter attended. She was so amazed and has since decided to change her major in university. No matter what your age or your ability, this is an event to participate in, your youth returns while you are there and for a few days following. It definitely changes the way you see things. ”
— Phyllis F. M.L.A., R.N., S.A.N.E.; Ontario Dementia Advisory Board, DementiaHack Mentor & Finals Judge
DementiaHack interview on the Exchange with CBC's Amanda Lang
This was an involved discussion that HackerNest had on how we came to build international tech communities, the evolution of hackathons thus far, what they (should) accomplish, and how one of our anchor hackathon series’ (coincidentally, the world’s foremost dementia hackathon) came to be.
Hundreds of participants, dozens of teams, multitudes of seasoned mentors. Check these short videos for an inside look at how this cause-driven hackathon series set a new bar for hackathons:
Fishackathon
A 45+ city sustainability hackathon series produced concurrently around the world to tackle problems in fisheries and oceans’ sustainability, this hackathon was produced for the U.S. State Department’s Office of Global Partnerships as part of core deliverables on conservation set by the Obama Administration.
“Considérez-le #piraté! Félicitations à tous les participants de #Fishackathon de cette année! Super d’avoir travaillé avec @HackerNest sur ce fabuleax événement” — Péches et Océans (Fisheries & Oceans Canada)
“I just wanted to send a quick note to express my gratitude for being part of Sunday’s Fishackathon. What a fabulously designed and organized event and I feel very luck to have been a part of it.” — Brianna L. Bailey-Gevlin, Vice Consul, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Nigeria
“..a great event. I’m really glad to have attended and appreciate the opportunity to mentor. Congrats on a successful and meaningful event” — Todd Myers, Environmental Director, Washington Policy Center
Hack4Equality
This west-coast diversity & inclusion hackathon we worked with Grindr to produce addressed hurdles faced by the LGBTQi community in the US and around the world. Things that most don’t consider, like which public bathrooms are ‘friendly’, are challenges that were tabled, delineated, and solved for.
Some companies, NGOs, & governments we’ve dealt with:
+ many others. Thank you all for your support in making better hackathons, everywhere.