Eight tips for hosting an enterprise hackathon

Back in 2020, we launched the University of Surrey’s now-annual enterprise hackathon. We came together with a shared vision: to create an opportunity for students to learn about entrepreneurship in a more engaging way than traditional classroom teaching could provide. 

Delivered over a weekend, the event now known as Hackathon17 is a combination of industry spotlights, practical entrepreneurship masterclasses and team-working time. Students are set up in mixed discipline teams and must use their varied skills to tackle an industry challenge, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

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They need to quickly familiarise themselves with their brand new team-mates, work on understanding their selected problem statement and create a product or service to improve the environment or community facing the issue. 

At the end of the weekend, students are pitch-ready with a fully formed new business idea, which could make a tangible difference to a real-world problem. 

Why host a hackathon?

Universities are discovering the immense value of enterprise hackathons. Here’s what students gain: 

• Practical skills: Tackling real-world problems hones critical thinking, quick thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities. 
• Opportunity to innovate: Hackathons connect theory to practical applications, fostering innovation and creativity. 
• Entrepreneurial spirit: Students explore entrepreneurial opportunities, with many ideas leading to impactful initiatives. 
• Collaboration: Working as part of a diverse team will enhance teamwork skills and broaden perspectives. 

How to set up an enterprise hackathon 

1. Set captivating challenges: Craft clear, engaging problem statements based on real-world industry issues. Make sure they’re easily understood – test them yourself! Be prepared that some students might not be thrilled with their assigned challenge, regardless of the team selection method. 

2. Dynamic learning environment: Equip students with relevant skills by organising workshops led by industry experts. These “Spotlight Sessions” cover topics related to the problem statements or relevant business skills, empowering students to develop their ideas. Partner with alumni and industry professionals to mentor and judge the event, providing valuable real-world connections and insights. 

3. Diverse teams for success: Create well-rounded teams with complementary strengths by aiming for a mix of personalities and skillsets, mixing students’ academic disciplines and levels of study. Teams need organisers, presenters, tech experts or creative thinkers. Be prepared to address any team formation issues that may arise. 

4. Foster teamwork and innovation: Allocate dedicated time for guided teamwork sessions to ensure progress – but avoid micromanagement. Encourage students to leverage each other’s strengths throughout the hackathon, but let them work on their pitches with only occasional mentor support, avoiding a constant barrage of feedback. Consider offering allocated mentors or bookable slots students can use as they feel is needed. 

5. A clear timeline is key: Determine the hackathon’s duration (weekend, week, etc.) and factor in dedicated time for pitch development, practice sessions and final presentations. Striking a balance between enough time for quality work and too much time, to control student drop-off, is crucial. 

6. Meaningful prizes motivate: Think beyond cash prizes! Consider workshops or internship opportunities that encourage continued engagement with the hackathon’s theme. Recognise individual achievements alongside team wins (e.g. best teamwork, leadership, most creative idea) to motivate and acknowledge student contributions. 

7. Make your judging panels diverse: Select judges with a variety of backgrounds and industries to ensure diverse perspectives and continue the mixed skill theme throughout all areas of the project. This could include internal university personnel, student representatives and external professionals. 

8. Clarify the criteria: Define the judging criteria beforehand. This could include factors like innovation, research accuracy, business case viability, presentation quality (both digital deck and verbal pitch) and Q&A handling skills. 

Challenges you might encounter and how to overcome them 

• A team that embodies the values of interdisciplinary working 

  Organising a successful hackathon requires a diverse skillset – innovation, entrepreneurship expertise and industry connections. Finding staff with the time and willingness to contribute can be tough. Don’t go it alone! Seek out passionate collaborators across departments and faculties. Look for individuals who champion entrepreneurship and employability. Innovation teams and Student Enterprise colleagues are natural allies, as they may already run similar events. 

  Collaborating when securing funding is also important – reach out to departments, find sponsors and contact student enterprise programmes to cover logistical costs.
   

• Buy-in from senior management smooths the way 

  Without leadership support, securing resources and funding can be a hurdle. Proactive engagement is key, so make sure to seek out supportive leaders from the outset. Highlight the benefits for students and the institutional gains that can be achieved through staff collaboration. Promote the initiative at staff meetings and university conferences. Don’t hesitate to request meetings with decision-makers – their endorsement can turn your idea into reality. 

Kat Mack is former student enterprise manager and Shelini Surendran is associate dean (international) of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, both at the University of Surrey. 

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