About

A GirlCode hackathon is a unique opportunity to get together with different people and work on exciting ideas together. Supported by mentors and experts, a prototype, code, concept or a business model for an innovative solution is developed within a very short time (e.g.: 24h) in a team. It is not uncommon for hackathon teams to stay on site overnight, working through the night and only sleeping a few hours here and there. This is part of the concept and so there are often rest rooms with sleeping facilities at the hackathon.

More than a competition

While of course everyone wants to win the prize on offer, for many the experience is paramount. After all, a hackathon is a unique opportunity for all participants to meet new people, inspire each other, learn new approaches, collaborate with subject matter experts from the business world and maybe even come up with that one breakthrough idea that changes everything. Many later start-up teams first met at a hackathon!

An internationally proven innovation format – not only for programmers

Many ideas and well-known concepts, such as the Facebook “Like” button, originated at a hackathon. Originally originating in the field of software and hardware development, the innovation format is now also a popular method in other industries to bring together the best minds and find creative solutions to current challenges or to produce innovative products and services.

The end product of a hackathon does not necessarily have to be a programme code or a hardware prototype. Some hackathons aim at ideas, concepts or a business model as the end product. “Hacking” in this sense refers to creative work on a task. The group composition can be the key to success. The higher the number of different disciplines, the greater the number of perspectives and approaches.