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Don’t Throw THAT Hackathon by @SwiftAlphaOne

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Note: Not Ryan Gosling. @SwiftAlphaOne

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What is a Hackathon?

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0 30 60 90 Q4/2011 Q1/2012 Q2/2012 Q3/2012 Q4/2012 Q1/2013 Q2/2013 Q3/2013 Hackathons are on the Rise

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Why are companies going to Hackathons?

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3Reasons Companies go to hackathons. main

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Product Feedback #1.

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Optimize our product’s developer experience by directly interacting with customers as they integrate and use it.

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Mindshare & perception #2.

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Mindshare & perception #2. (a.k.a. Marketing)

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Acquire developer mindshare and trust by associating our brand with awesome stuff.

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Change the way developers perceive us by associating our brand with awesome stuff.

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Recruiting Top Talent #3.

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Actively identifying, approaching, and investing in top hacker talent.

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“Lots of really innovative companies are doing this ‘hackathon’ thing.” We should too!

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Seriously though,

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Don’t Throw THAT Hackathon

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That sounds Counter-intuitive.

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“What are you hoping to accomplish by throwing a hackathon?” if you can’t answer this question, don’t throw that hackathon.

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build A (startup | app) #1. using my products

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Hacks are not startups. Hacks are not long term commitments. Hacks are just hacks.

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Better Solution: Month-long App Contest

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spawn innovation #2.around my industry

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Real innovation doesn’t usually happen over a weekend.

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Better Solution: Innovation Grant / Fund

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Meet & support #3.My community

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Hackathons & conferences really don’t mix well.

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Better Solution: Throw a conference / Meetup.

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When should I throw my own Hackathon?

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There Aren’t any #1. events nearby

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x x x Protip: No NYC, Boston, or SF.

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You’re Targeting #2. specific folks

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You’re Launching #3. Something new

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Thanks I’m @SwiftAlphaOne on Twitter.