Don't Throw that Hackathon

These are my slides and a paraphrased summary of my talk from the API Strategy & Practice Conference in San Francisco.

Transcript

1. Don’t Throw THAT Hackathon by @SwiftAlphaOne
2. Note: Not Ryan Gosling. @SwiftAlphaOne
3. What is a Hackathon?
5. 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
6. Why are companies going to Hackathons?
7. 3Reasons Companies go to hackathons. main
8. Product Feedback #1.
9. Optimize our product’s developer experience by directly interacting with customers as they integrate and use it.
11. Mindshare & perception #2.
12. Mindshare & perception #2. (a.k.a. Marketing)
13. Acquire developer mindshare and trust by associating our brand with awesome stuff.
15. Change the way developers perceive us by associating our brand with awesome stuff.
17. Recruiting Top Talent #3.
18. Actively identifying, approaching, and investing in top hacker talent.
20. “Lots of really innovative companies are doing this ‘hackathon’ thing.” We should too!
21. Seriously though,
22. Don’t Throw THAT Hackathon
23. That sounds Counter-intuitive.
24. “What are you hoping to accomplish by throwing a hackathon?” if you can’t answer this question, don’t throw that hackathon.
25. build A (startup | app) #1. using my products
26. Hacks are not startups. Hacks are not long term commitments. Hacks are just hacks.
27. Better Solution: Month-long App Contest
28. spawn innovation #2.around my industry
29. Real innovation doesn’t usually happen over a weekend.
30. Better Solution: Innovation Grant / Fund
31. Meet & support #3.My community
32. Hackathons & conferences really don’t mix well.
33. Better Solution: Throw a conference / Meetup.
34. When should I throw my own Hackathon?
35. There Aren’t any #1. events nearby
36. x x x Protip: No NYC, Boston, or SF.
37. You’re Targeting #2. specific folks
38. You’re Launching #3. Something new
39. Thanks I’m @SwiftAlphaOne on Twitter.