0. Winning is important, but not the most important

Are you ready to sign up for your first hackathon? Maybe you're a college student looking to create something cool over the weekend, or an independent developer wanting to explore new technologies and meet like-minded people. Either way, welcome aboard! You are about to experience one of the best ways to learn, create, and grow as a developer.

But most newcomers don’t realize: the people who gain the most from hackathons are not necessarily the ones who win in the end. Prizes are nice, but the skills, portfolio projects, and connections you gain have a much longer shelf life.

This guide will help you avoid common pitfalls for beginners, ensuring you come away with valuable experiences, whether you win or not.

1. How to choose your first hackathon and participation platform

Not all hackathons are the same. As a beginner, it's advisable to start with events hosted by large companies, such as Google or AWS's AI-themed hackathons, or events from major crypto tech companies like Circle and Binance. These hackathons have clear rules, responsive organizers, and judges who provide valuable feedback (and of course, the rewards are often substantial).

A reliable platform can help filter out the noise. DoraHacks is one of the leading hackathon platforms globally. Thanks to the trust of hackers and the industry, DoraHacks has consistently collaborated with leading companies and communities to host hackathons across various tech fields, including AI and blockchain. The platform's reputation means that both organizers and participants have a basic quality assurance. Additionally, the platform archives hundreds of thousands of past projects, allowing you to research before competing and learn from previous winners (which will be discussed in detail later).

Be cautious of smaller platforms or hackathons with vague information—your time is precious, so spend it on competitions that respect your time.

2. Treat the rules as your lifeline (this is crucial for your submission)

This may sound like a cliché, but you would be surprised at how many excellent projects are disqualified for not following the rules. Before writing your first line of code or description, read the rules thoroughly to understand exactly what details to submit and in what format.

Pay attention to eligibility requirements; check submission materials, such as demo videos, GitHub repositories, or any documentation; be aware of restrictions; and understand the judging criteria.

2025 AWS AI Vibe Coding Hackathon Rules

Rules are not just red tape; they are a contract between you and the organizers. Following the rules not only reflects your professionalism but also ensures that your efforts are judged fairly.

3. Don’t be a "prize miner"

Do you see every hackathon as an opportunity to submit the same project and hope for the best? Stop right there. Organizers and judges can easily spot repetitive or off-topic projects, and these submissions usually don’t fare well.

Most hackathons set themes for a reason. Even if there is an "open track," judges will still assess how well your project aligns with the hackathon's goals. Submitting an unrelated pairing application at a blockchain hackathon, no matter how well-crafted, is inappropriate.

Instead of spreading your energy across ten unrelated competitions, focus on a few hackathons that truly align with your interests and skills. You will produce better work and leave a lasting impression on judges and sponsors who genuinely care about these issues.

4. Communicate early and often

Many newcomers treat hackathons like exams—working hard without talking to anyone, trying to figure everything out on their own. This is a big mistake. Good hackathons have organizers, mentors, and community channels to help you succeed. Use them!

If there are unclear aspects of the rules, ask for clarification before going in the wrong direction. If you encounter technical challenges, seek help from mentors or post in the community Discord. If you’re unsure whether your idea fits the theme, confirm with the organizers early—don’t wait until judging to find out. For example, on DoraHacks, you can message the organizers directly.

Don’t struggle alone when help is readily available.

5. Learn from other hackers

One of the most underrated benefits of hackathons is the opportunity to learn from other participants. You are surrounded by people solving similar problems using different methods, levels, and perspectives.

Studying past projects is one of the fastest ways to improve. On DoraHacks, you can browse a vast array of past projects (like this one), filter by category, and see what winning teams submitted. Watch their demo videos, read their project pages, and observe how they present their ideas. Pay attention to what makes top projects stand out: clear problem statements, polished presentations, and strong alignment with the theme. Equally important: observe what weaker projects lack so you can avoid the same pitfalls.

During the competition, interact with other participants. Share your progress, ask what others are working on, and don’t be afraid to give and receive feedback. The hacker community is usually very supportive; today’s competitors could be your collaborators or co-founders tomorrow.

6. Submit a good demo

A great project but a poor presentation often loses to a decent project with an impressive demo. Judges have limited time and need to review dozens of submissions, so make it easy for them.

Your written description is crucial: it should be clear, logical, and shouldn’t assume judges have background information you haven’t provided. Screenshots, charts, and links to runnable demos can strengthen your submission.

The demo video should be concise and clear: explain what problem you are solving, show how the solution works, and highlight what makes it unique—unless the rules state otherwise, keep it within 1 to 3 minutes.

An example of a winning project on DoraHacks

Think of your submission as a pitch. You’re not just showcasing what you’ve done; you’re also persuading the judges why it matters.

7. Manage your time wisely

Hackathons have deadlines, and they come faster than you think. Poor time management is one of the most common reasons promising projects end up submitted incomplete.

Make sure to leave time for submission materials. Recording demo videos, writing documentation, and packaging everything takes longer than you might expect. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

If you’re working in a team, clarify roles. Efficient parallel work relies on everyone knowing their responsibilities.

8. Accept the results and keep building

Hackathons are competitions, and competitions have winners and losers. You might give it your all and still come away empty-handed. This can be disheartening, but it’s completely normal.

The difference between successful hackers and frustrated ones lies in how they respond. If you didn’t win, ask yourself what you learned. If your idea is solid and you continue to iterate seriously, opportunities will find you. Many successful projects didn’t win their first hackathon but found their moment through continuous improvement.

The hackathon may be over, but your work doesn’t have to be. If the project has potential, keep developing it. Hackathon projects are excellent portfolio material, and ongoing progress can demonstrate to potential employers or investors that you are serious.

Countless amazing projects are born in hackathons and then disappear forever. Once the excitement fades and life gets busy, that brilliant idea may never be committed again. Don’t let that happen to you.

Celebrate victories, learn from failures, and keep competing. In the long run, persistence is more important than luck.

Conclusion: Cast a long line to catch big fish

Your first hackathon is just the beginning. You will make mistakes, learn lessons, and perhaps regret not doing certain things sooner. That’s okay; who doesn’t start from zero?

Those who gain the most from hackathons treat each one as a step in a long journey. They accumulate skills, expand their networks, and build a record of ongoing participation and delivery. Over time, victories will come—not because of luck, but because they have become stronger.

So, go find an exciting hackathon on DoraHacks, read the rules, chat with the organizers, learn from others, and keep creating. The rest will be up to time.

Happy hacking!

About DoraHacks

DoraHacks is a leading global hackathon community and open-source developer incentive platform. DoraHacks provides a toolkit for all parties, empowering them to organize hackathons and fund early-stage ecosystem startups.

DoraHacks is committed to driving a global hackathon movement in the fields of Web3, AI, quantum computing, and space technology. To date, over 30,000 startup teams have received more than $300 million in funding through the DoraHacks community. Numerous open-source communities, enterprises, and tech ecosystems are actively leveraging DoraHacks and its BUIDL AI capabilities to organize hackathons and support open-source initiatives.

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