Hackathons are events where software developers, designers, and other tech professionals collaborate on projects. They are a great way to learn new skills, network with other professionals, break coffee-drinking records, and win prizes. Some hackathons only last over 24 hours, while others are more extended and allow more developers to take part.

Hackathons can be a great way for IT beginners to get started in the field. They provide an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and showcase your skills. You may even win a cash prize, which can help you to fund your education or to start your own business. Think about it as a crunch, time-restrained bootcamp but with more caffeine.

Is participating in a hackathon a good idea?

For experienced professionals, hackathons can be a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies. They also allow networking with other professionals and collaborating on innovative projects.

If you are interested in participating in a hackathon, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you should choose a hackathon that is relevant to your interests. Hackathons exist for all types of technologies, so you should be able to find one that is a good fit for you.

For instance, based on one's career trajectory, it may be advantageous to participate in a hackathon that focuses on JavaScript frameworks such as React or Angular, which are pertinent for frontend developers aiming to develop responsive user interfaces. Alternatively, if your interest lies in backend development, look for hackathons centred around server-side technologies like Java or Python, where optimising server performance or managing large datasets might be the main challenge. Hackathons exploring AI, blockchain, or cloud computing, can be particularly appealing for those interested in emerging technologies.

Second, you should start planning early. Hackathons can be competitive, so you must give yourself enough time to prepare. This means developing a project idea, assembling a team, and practising your skills. Have a look at the dates in the blog below and don’t miss out.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help you succeed at a hackathon. You can find mentors, tutorials, and even hackathon training camps.

These are the top hackathons to watch over in 2023:

1. CODE100

• Application: June 30, 2023
• Selection: July 14, 2023
• Playoffs: July 26, 2023
• Finals: July 27, 2023
• Physical, in Berlin, during the WAD World Congress

CODE100 is our very own hackathon — a coding event that will occur at the Berlin 2023 WeAreDevelopers World Congress. Part a live show, part a frenzied coding contest, part a hackathon, this event will have participants contend in Berlin and race for the prize. CODE100 presents an array of stimulating coding challenges meticulously crafted to assess a diverse range of skills, including problem-solving, creativity, and effective teamwork. By the time the finals take place, 32 finalists will contend through five elimination rounds. The last two challengers go head-to-head in the final engagement. Only one CODE100 champion will take the pot of gold home. Any resemblance to the World Cup is just a coincidence.

Besides the juicy prize, participants can expect an engaging experience involving tasks such as commanding the power of APIs, tackling thought-provoking coding quizzes, and collaborating with teammates to conquer team-based challenges. These challenges are carefully designed to push the boundaries of participants' coding abilities and inspire innovative thinking, fostering an environment that encourages skill development and collaborative problem-solving. Join CODE100 to put your coding skills to the test while fostering teamwork and unleashing your creative potential. This features a prize pool worth €100k, including cash prizes, products, and services.

We love remote work, but you can’t experience a live show-meets-a-hackathon from home, so we insist you drop by.

2. NERSC Open Hackathon

• July 12-21, 2023
• Application Deadline: June 5, 2023
• Virtual Event

The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) is hosting a virtual Open Hackathon. This event is open to all scientists who are interested in accelerating their AI research.

The goal of the Open Hackathon is to help computational scientists port, accelerate, and optimise their scientific applications to modern computer architectures. Participants will work with expert mentors from national laboratories, universities, and industry leaders to learn the latest techniques and get their applications running on the latest supercomputing hardware.

The Open Hackathon is a great opportunity to learn new skills, collaborate with other experts, and take your projects to the next level. If you are interested in participating, please visit the NERSC website for more information.

It also sounds suspiciously close to a hackathon that the secret group NERV from Neon Genesis Evangelion would organise…

3. BärnHäckt 2023

• August, 25-27, 2023
• Brückenstrasse 73, Bern

BärnHäckt is a hackathon that brings together developers, designers, business experts, ümlaut lövers, and students to tackle a variety of challenges facing businesses in the digital age.

Companies submit exciting data packages and challenges and receive innovative solutions from dedicated young hackers. Creative and interdisciplinary teams take on the challenge and develop smart solutions with great dedication.

BärnHäckt provides a unique and inspiring framework where innovative solutions are created that would be unthinkable in a conventional setting. This event promotes creativity and generates disruptive solutions with a significant impact in the field of digital transformation.

4. BCG Platinion Hackathon

• October 6-7, 2023
• Application Deadline: September 10, 2023

‍The event organisers aim to address significant mobility challenges by fostering collaboration and innovation. They have curated a diverse and talented group of global tech professionals who will work together in small teams. The two-day on-site event will be held across multiple locations, including Düsseldorf, Paris, Milan, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Bogotá, Santiago de Chile, and São Paulo.

Participants will have access to dedicated workspaces and receive support from experienced experts from BCG Platinion. At the end of the hackathon, each team will have the opportunity to present their product, and winners will receive rewards for their outstanding contributions.

The event is open to all, with no participation fees, and all costs associated with the event will be covered.

5. CSCS Open Hackathon

• September 18-22, 2023‍
• Registration is now closed; however, we advise you to pay attention to the contents they may upload to their networks and to pay attention to a new edition for next year.

Imagine you are a computational scientist or researcher who wants to speed up your applications. You could spend months or even years learning the latest techniques in high-performance computing (HPC). Or, you could attend the CSCS Open Hackathon.

The CSCS Open Hackathon is a multi-day, intensive hands-on event that will teach you everything you need to know about HPC. You'll learn from expert mentors, collaborate with other researchers, and get hands-on experience with the latest techniques.

By the end of the hackathon, you'll be well on your way to porting your applications to modern computer architectures, including CPUs, GPUs, and other computing technologies. You'll also have a clear roadmap for future HPC projects.

6. NSM Open Hackathon

• September 25, 2023 – October 06, 2023
• Application Deadline: August 9, 2023
• Hybrid Event

Are you a scientist who wants to accelerate your AI or high-performance computing research? Are you on the verge of cracking all your best friend’s passwords thanks to a computational miracle that’s running on your Nokia 1100? If so, then Open Hackathons are for you! These events provide a unique opportunity to learn from expert mentors, collaborate with other researchers, and get hands-on experience with the latest techniques to finally make your HPC advancements.

Open Hackathons are typically held in a hybrid format, which means that you can participate either in-person or remotely. This flexibility makes them accessible to researchers from all over the world.

The goal of NSM Open Hackathon is to help computational scientists port, accelerate, and optimise their scientific applications to modern computer architectures. By the end of the event, you should have a clear roadmap for how to leverage these resources to take your projects to the next level.

Open Hackathons are open to everyone, but priority acceptance will be given to C-DAC/NSM affiliated scientists and their collaborators. So if you're ready to take your research to the next level, we encourage you to apply for an Open Hackathon today — the deadline is around the corner.

So, in conclusion…

Hackathons are a great way to meet other professionals because of the teamwork involved. Working on a team is a great way to show off transferable skills that are in high demand in the tech industry, such as effective communication, time management, and teamwork.

After participating in a hackathon, you may want to look into developer job boards. Internships and full-time jobs in a wide variety of tech-related fields are just some offerings you'll find on job boards that focus on this sector. Participating in hackathons can help you gain valuable experience and build a portfolio that will make your applications stand out.