3 Tips for a Successful Hackathon

Navan’s chief architect shares highlights from the company’s recent AI hackathon — and tips to plan your own.

Navan’s recent hackathon brought together 28 teams from across North America and EMEA to tackle the latest challenge in our industry: How to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to benefit our customers and the company as a whole.

The atmosphere was electric as everyone gathered to share ideas, collaborate, and push the limits of what was possible. Over the course of the event, we saw some truly innovative solutions emerge, driven by a willingness to experiment with new technologies and approaches.

Teams worked over two days to hone their ideas and bring them to life. By the time the presentations came around, the judges were blown away by the level of creativity and technical prowess on display. In the end, winners were named and prizes were distributed — but the true reward was the knowledge gained and the relationships formed.

Navan’s AI hackathon showcased the best of what we can achieve when we come together and aim for greatness. I’d like to keep that collaborative energy going by sharing a few tips that proved instrumental in making our hackathon a hit.

Whether you’re organizing your first hackathon or looking for ways to improve your next event, these tips can help you create an engaging and productive experience for all participants. Get ready to take your hackathon to the next level!

1. Define clear objectives and themes.

Why it’s important: One of the most critical elements of a successful hackathon is having well-defined objectives and themes. It’s essential to communicate these objectives to participants, as it helps them understand the purpose of the event and focus their efforts on developing solutions that align with the goals.

How Navan hacked: For our AI hackathon, we emphasized the importance of exploring ChatGPT’s potential in enhancing our products and increasing developer productivity. This clear direction enabled participants to channel their creativity and skills toward meaningful projects.

A team working on their hackathon project in Amsterdam.

2. Encourage cross-functional collaboration.

Why it’s important: Hackathons are not just about developing new solutions, but also about fostering collaboration and teamwork. Encourage participants to form cross-functional teams, including members from different departments and skill sets. This diversity in perspectives and expertise can spark innovative ideas and facilitate more effective problem-solving.

How Navan hacked: In our AI hackathon, we saw teams from engineering, product, design, and other departments working together, which led to the creation of exciting projects that blended various skills and knowledge.

3. Provide ample resources and support.

Why it’s important: Providing participants with the essential resources and support is crucial in enabling them to maximize their potential at the hackathon. Efforts can include access to relevant tools, knowledge bases, and subject matter experts who can guide participants through any challenges they face.

How Navan hacked: During our AI hackathon, we created a dedicated Slack channel and shared links to FAQs, ongoing projects, and a general knowledge base, ensuring participants had all the information they needed to develop their projects successfully.

Above: U.S. hackathon participants take a break from their projects for dinner.

Bonus Tip: Have fun!

Why it’s important: Providing a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere will help unleash creativity and make the hackathon a memorable experience for everyone. Remember, when people are having fun, they’re more likely to think outside the box and come up with novel solutions. So create an environment where everyone feels free to enjoy themselves and express their creativity.

How Navan hacked: To keep the energy levels high, we provided an assortment of snacks and drinks, and organized a pizza party on the first night. We also designated a relaxation area where participants could take breaks, socialize, or engage in stress-relieving activities like playing video games or table tennis. By incorporating these fun elements, we ensured that our hackathon was not only productive, but also an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Organizing a successful hackathon can greatly benefit your company because it fosters innovation, collaboration, and camaraderie among participants. It can help build stronger teams and drive creativity — and it could lead to some groundbreaking revelations.

Remember, the key to a successful hackathon lies in striking the right balance between structure and freedom, allowing participants to develop game-changing ideas that leave a lasting, positive effect on both your team and your company.