How to Run a Successful Hackathon

Learn how to plan, structure and deliver a hackathon that gives participants a great experience and produces meaningful outcomes.

Next Edition

September 8, 2026

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10 September, 10:00 - 11:30AM
Masterclass Date

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From Idea to Hackathon

Have you ever wanted to run a hackathon but didn’t know where to start?

From choosing the right format and attracting the right participants to designing the experience and making sure everything runs smoothly on the day, this Masterclass will take you through the fundamentals of running a successful hackathon.

Drawing on years of experience delivering hackathons through NDRC, alongside outside expertise from our friends at Give(A)Go, we’ll break down what works, what to consider and how to approach your first hackathon with confidence.

Knowledge You Will Gain

Practical guidance to help you design and deliver a hackathon that works for your audience, your objectives and your team.

Choosing the Right Format

Understand the different ways a hackathon can be structured and how to choose the format, running order and level of support that best fits what you’re trying to achieve.

Finding the Right Audience

Explore who your hackathon is for, from highly specialised events built around a particular skillset or challenge to open formats that give participants more freedom to experiment and build.

Delivering a Great Experience

Learn the logistical, operational and design decisions that can make the difference between an event that simply runs and one that participants genuinely want to be part of.

An Interactive & Immersive Schedule

This Masterclass will cover the key stages involved in taking a hackathon from an initial idea through to delivery.

1. Getting Started

Defining the purpose of your hackathon
Understanding what you want participants to achieve
Identifying your audience

2. Designing the Format

Choosing the right hackathon structure
Building the running order
Creating challenges, teams and judging formats
Designing for different participant types and skillsets

3. Building the Experience

Attracting and engaging participants
Creating a strong participant journey
Planning the space, materials and support required
Managing the operational details that matter on the day

4. What Makes a Great Hackathon

Lessons from NDRC hackathons
Practical insights from Give(A)Go
Common mistakes to avoid
Key considerations for running your first hackathon

Course Details

When is it: Thursday 10 September, 10:00 - 11:30AM

Time Commitment: 1.5 hours

Format: Fully virtual session

How to Prepare: Download/update the Zoom desktop app, make sure your video and audio are clear, and have a stable internet connection

Description: Whether you’re considering running your first hackathon or looking to improve an existing format, this Masterclass will give you a practical introduction to what makes a hackathon work. Drawing on experience from NDRC and Give(A)Go, we’ll cover format, audience, participant experience, logistics and delivery, giving you a clear framework to take your hackathon from idea to execution.