Hackathon 101: How to Prepare for a Web3 Hackathon and Be Successful

Web3 hackathons are massive industry events. Companies can promote their protocols and technologies, and people can build amazing projects, connect with a thriving community, and compete for exciting cash prizes. No matter the time of year, there will probably be a web3 hackathon happening, so developers are always encouraged to jump in and participate.

However, as common as they are, they can be difficult to navigate and are sometimes even frustrating. In this article, we will discuss how to participate in and prepare for a web3 hackathon without going crazy in the process, how to enjoy the progress you make, and how to increase your chances of winning.

‍

Why should you care about hackathons?

‍

‍

New developers are joining Web3 every day, which means most of us are still beginners in some way. Even with a few crypto projects under my belt, I still feel like a newbie sometimes because there’s so much to keep up with. New technologies are popping up constantly, and there’s always something fresh to learn. 

So where’s the best place to gain that kind of hands-on experience? Hackathons, hands down. They’re the perfect way for both beginners and experienced devs to dive into new tech and sharpen their skills.

Moreover, the most common question our students ask is how to build an amazing portfolio to land their first job. For new developers trying to make a name in the industry, hackathons are where they can find a place to call home. Hackathons will challenge everything you learned, allow you to learn even more, and put you in a real-world scenario as if you were working on an actual web3 startup. 

There are plenty of reasons to join a hackathon—I’ll dive into the most important ones below.

• Connect with the community: They’re an amazing place to meet new colleagues, and with a bit of luck, even make lasting friendships. Most of the projects and proposals I work on daily come from people I’ve met at hackathons. 
• Build a strong portfolio: Many crypto protocols hire talent straight from hackathons. And, every project you create helps you to build a solid portfolio, boosting your chances of success in the industry. 
• Score awesome SWAG: Companies love to give away SWAG at hackathons—shirts, stickers, NFTs, POAPs, and more. You can walk away with some pretty cool stuff just for showing up!
• Prizes: And of course, there’s the money. If your project is good enough, you can win cash prizes ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. If you really impress the judges, you might even get funding to turn your project into the next billion-dollar protocol.

Hopefully these are strong enough inspiration for you to join a hackathon; now, let’s take a look at the basics of being a hacker at these events.

‍

‍

Choosing a hackathon

So, you’ve decided to give hackathons a try. You’re ready to sign up and build a cool project that’ll make you proud. But which one should you choose? The go-to place to find web3 hackathons is Devpost, a site solely dedicated to them in all its forms. A quick search in the “blockchain” category brings up tons of options—sometimes with multiple events happening at once. 

So, how do you pick the right one?

When choosing a hackathon, focus on three key aspects:

• The technology: Companies hosting hackathons are always promoting the core technology of their protocols. Do some research on Google to learn how their technology works, which blockchains are compatible, and whether the proposal excites you. Then, read the docs for a deeper understanding. It’s also a good idea to check out the sponsor technologies and do the same.
• The community: Nearly all hackathons have a community, usually on Discord. Join the community and connect with people. Ask yourself: How supportive are they? Do you feel comfortable and motivated by the group? Do they inspire you to build great products? And most importantly, would they make good partners?
• The prizes: Though focusing solely on prizes is not recommended because the real benefits are often intangible, it’s still worth checking what’s up for grabs. If you’re putting in serious effort and time, it’s nice to get some recognition for the hard work. So, don’t forget to review the rewards.

‍

First steps: preparing for a web3 hackathon

You’ve chosen a hackathon, completed registration, and are ready to rock! The event usually starts with an opening ceremony, often hosted on YouTube. After the ceremonial welcome and miscellaneous pleasantries , you’ll likely be invited to a meet-and-greet where you’ll create an avatar and step into a big virtual event with lots of people, ready to dive in. 

‍

As you enter the meet-and-greet, you’ll see groups of people discussing wild ideas and technologies you’ve likely never heard of before. Small and large groups will be scattered around, passionately debating different topics. At the same time, the hosts are surrounded by participants, doing their best to answer questions and give feedback on project ideas.

You’ll probably feel lost, really lost. And it’s totally okay. Everyone is, especially at their first hackathon.

Don’t let it intimidate you. Just start talking to people—about anything! Of course chat about crypto, but also talk about the weather, your cat, or the lemon chip cookies you bought the other day. It doesn’t matter. What’s important is to hang out, listen to others' ideas, learn from their experiences, and share your own.

And if you don’t have an idea yet, that’s okay. These events are the perfect place to find a team. You can always join someone else’s project that resonates with you and help build something awesome together.

‍

Teams are not easy to build

‍

‍

Anecdotally, a lot of hackathon teams fall apart. Whether because the project feels overwhelming, because people have other responsibilities, or the chemistry just isn’t right. Before teaming up with the first person you meet, here are a few tips to help you choose the right team:

Have a clear objective: Your mindset matters. If you're new, you might just want to learn and build something small. If you have a big idea, look for team members with a business focus. Choose people whose goals align with yours.

Be honest about your time: Don’t underestimate the time commitment. If you only have a few hours a week, opt for a small project. If you're ready to fully commit, tackle something more challenging. Be upfront about how much time you can give.

Comfort is key: Skills are important, but so is comfort. If you don’t feel good working with someone, even if they’re talented, it’s better to find someone else.

Time zones matter: Working with people globally is great, but big time zone differences can cause issues. Try to limit time zone gaps to 5-7 hours for easier coordination.

Note: You can always do a solo project, but you’ll obviously miss out on the team experience.

‍

What happens when the actual work starts?

def create_solution(problem):  
	if problem == exists():    
  	keep_hacking()  
   else:    
   	print("You have changed the world!!")

Congratulations; you’ve got a team and a cool idea! 

Now, the real work begins and things can either go smoothly or turn into a nightmare. 

It’s easy to turn a simple, doable idea into an unmanageable mess by constantly adding new features. To keep your project on track, here are some tips:

Keep it simple: It’s better to work on a simple, achievable idea than to overcomplicate it. Stick to your plan and avoid adding extra features until the core project is complete.

Focus on an MVP: Aim for a minimum viable product, just enough features to satisfy the project’s core requirements. Even for complex protocols, focus on delivering essential functionality first.

Work more, think less: Don’t get stuck overthinking. Too many teams spend weeks perfecting their idea instead of building. Start coding right away. It’s better to have a rough, working project than waste time polishing a concept.

Have a plan: Good organization increases your chances of success. Break the project into milestones and aim to complete one each week. You don’t need to be a Scrum master, just stay mindful of deadlines.

Use a productivity tool: Tools like Jira, Notion, Trello, or Asana can help keep your team on track. Pick one and use it because it’ll save you time and effort.

Finish your project: Once the core functionality and project-specific are complete, you can always add enhancements and additional features. Spoiler alert: you will probably not have time to add more features.

‍

Do not trust hackathon deadlines

‍

‍

It’s easy to think, “We have, what... two months to finish this project? We’ll be fine.” Trust me, you won’t be fine! Even if you somehow finish on time, upgrading later is a luxury, not a given. Most of the time, you’ll be scrambling just to complete the main idea by the deadline. So again, keep it simple.

You’ll probably end up doing most of the work in the last week or even the last day. Don’t get too comfortable with deadlines. It’s better to make steady progress every day than to cram everything at the end. 

The issue of time management is bigger than it seems and can create major stress, which might even lead to conflict with your teammates. To maintain a good vibe within the team, work hard early on so you can relax later. Stick to your plan and avoid last-minute chaos!

‍

Team communication

‍

Working with people in different countries, across time zones, whose first language might not be your own can make communication tricky. Here are some tips to improve team communication:

Listen carefully: Pay close attention to your teammates' ideas, proposals, and concerns. If there’s a language barrier, make an extra effort to fully understand what they’re saying. If you don’t understand something fully, ask for clarity.

Express your ideas clearly: Share all your thoughts and questions, even the small ones. Use any available resources—images, videos, or slides—to clarify your message. If there’s a language gap, don’t hesitate to exaggerate your expressions for better understanding. You might need to express your ideas multiple times in multiple ways.

Use a professional communication tool: Set up a Slack or Discord server to keep communication organized. A central hub will help everyone stay up to date while ensuring there’s a record of discussions and progress.

‍

Final thoughts on participating in web3 hackathons

In the end, the best and most important advice as a “hackathoner” is this: have fun and enjoy the process. A hackathon project is like a glimpse into working for a big crypto company, but with no pressure. No one gets fired if things go wrong and there’s always the next hackathon.

So, enjoy the experience, be responsible with your teammates, take ownership of your work, and always maintain good communication. Participating in hackathons is something you’ll love and hate equally, but they will definitely teach you a lot and give you unforgettable experiences.

Thanks for reading until the end. Have a great day, and keep hacking!

‍

‍