by Marianne Bellotti, @bellmar

1. Hackathons for Fun and Profit
Marianne Bellotti, @bellmar

2. Profit?
Hackathons
not just about prizes

3. Who am I?
- No CS degree
- Self Taught
- Jack of All Trades

4. Who am I?
Precocious Kid
+
Computers
=
Stressed-Out Dad

5. Who am I?
- Discovery security vulnerability in
AOL at 14
- Hacked into my HS system at 16
(to play Tetris)

6. Who am I?
← Where I've hacked
Stuff I've won →

7. Who am I?

8. Hackathons
There's so much to gain
from hackathons
But few women attend

9. Myths About Hackathons
- It's about being the best hacker
- Beginners are not welcome
- Not enough time
- My hack should be a business

10. The Truth
Hackathons are networking events
for technical people

11. Why Hack?
- Build connections
- Meet influencers
- Play with new technology
- Learn

12. Where to Hack?
Okay sure, but which
event to attend?

13. Where to Hack: Large Events
- Too many people to meet
- Intense competition (aggression)
- Pre-formed teams
- Hours of demos

14. Where to Hack: Large Events
- Large events = more name recognition
- More stress, less bonding

15. Where to Hack: Small Events
- Better caliber of people
- Welcoming/Mentorship
- Inter-team mingling

16. Where to Hack: API Hack Day
- On paper: Worst Hackathon Ever
- In Reality: Most Profitable

17. Where to Hack: API Hack Day
- Tiny; Less than 30 hackers
- Wifi down all day
- Conference room of law office
- Top prize $500

18. Where to Hack: API Hack Day
But the people I met
there (still) invest in
me as a person

19. API Hack Day: Rob Spectre
- Python Developer
- Boxee
But he's since moved on to become
Developer Evangelist for Twilio

20. API Hack Day: David Bloom
- Entrepreneur
- Ordrin
A few months later, Ordrin became
a TechStars company

21. Social Capital
- Tech is very small
- The best opportunities are unadvertised
- Who you know is still more important

22. Building Skills
- Techies are like sharks
- Leadership, presentation, teamwork

23. Winning
- What do you need to convey concept?
- Do something unique/creative
- Core + Expansion

24. Winning
- Be strategic (sponsor prizes)
- Don't be afraid to fly solo
- Funny -versus- Great Demo

25. Teams Fail When...
- Come to launch a startup, not hack
- More than 20 mins of planning
- Core not compelling

26. Marianne's Greatest Hits
Some Hacks I've Done

27. Startup Weekend
Idea: Analytics + creative writing
What it won: VC's Choice
Why it won: Only team with a working
demo. Unique concept.

28. Hackday.tv
Idea: Order food through your TV
What it won: Best Use of API
Why it won: Sponsor loved the idea

29. API Hack Day I&II
Idea I: Sports updates via Growl
Idea II: Reward meals for workouts
What they won: 1st Overall (I) Best Use of
API (I & II) 2nd place overall (II)
Why they won: Fully demo-able

30. I'm Still Growing
- Learning to be an expert
- Battling Impostor Syndrome

31. Thank you!
@bellmar