So you think you can hack? Here’s a 5-step guide to winning at a hackathon.

Look at you, all eager and ready to join a hackathon.

Hackathons can get…intense. Photo credit: Giphy.

If you’re a newbie, congratulations on taking the first step on a journey of self-discovery, pain, and lots of learning.

If you’re an oldie, welcome back, you masochist you.

In brief, a hackathon, held for a predetermined amount of time, involves tackling a certain problem set by the organizers. The solutions are usually app/tech-based but can be in the form of a device as well. Sometimes, the solutions presented might be even so good they spin off into a new startup by the members. Hackathons are generally (but not exclusively) held for the following reasons:

1.  For people to learn new skills and have fun, fostering a spirit of creativity and innovation.
2. For companies to recruit potential employees.
3. To provide participants with a combination of friends, jobs, or co-founders (not too different from how my startup, FundMyLife, started).
4. Get the hosts street cred.
5. Sucker – I mean – introduce people to APIs of sponsors and provide feedback for those (for example, for the best use of a certain API).

A hackathon is an experience unlike any other. The closest analogy would be along the lines of doing homework the night before a deadline, except the homework is on fire. And you’re on fire. And everything is on fire.

But hey man, don’t sweat the small details. The fact that you’re reading this guide means you’re not only determined to be on fire, you want to be the very best at being on fire too.  Here’s a short guide that will, hopefully, steer you on a path to victory.*

Step 1. Get your A-team together.

This is what you’re going for. Roughly. Gif credit: Giphy.

A successful team composition, not too unlike a startup, needs the following roles fulfilled:

1. A designer to draw designs/mockups and make things look jazzy
2. A coder to program the solution and make it snazzy
3. A businessperson to pitch and excite the judges till they’re dizzy

These roles often overlap, so it’d be great if each member can fulfill more than one role: think a businessperson with a keen eye for design, or a coder with business smarts. How does one find such individuals? You could gather a bunch of friends who possess these skills and enter as a team. Or, if you’re friendless like I am, there’s always a chance to network and make new friends during the pre-hackathon.

Be very sure of what your own skills are, i.e., what you can and cannot do, and look for those who can complement them. And network like crazy! There are usually chances for participants to go onstage to introduce themselves and their skills, so take that opportunity.

Step 2. Understand the problem and solution

Step 3. Feedback, feedback, feedback.

Step 4. Judge who judges the judging.

Step 5. Make the pitch your bitch.