Hackathons

Hackathons on CreateThisApp are time-limited coding events where developers collaborate to build functional applications based on selected app ideas. Unlike traditional in-person hackathons, ours are conducted online and typically run for 1-4 weeks, giving participants more flexibility.

Key Characteristics of Our Hackathons:

• Focused Implementation: Each hackathon centers around implementing specific app ideas selected from user submissions.
• Team Collaboration: Participants can form teams (typically 1-5 people) or work individually.
• Defined Timeframe: Hackathons have clear start and end dates, with submissions due by the deadline.
• Prizes and Recognition: Many hackathons offer prizes for winning submissions, which may include cash, digital assets, or recognition within the community.

Registering for a hackathon on CreateThisApp is a straightforward process:

1. Create an Account - Sign up or log in to your CreateThisApp account.
2. Browse Hackathons - Visit the Hackathons page and find an event with an "Registration Open" status.
3. Join or Create a Team - You can either create your own team or join an existing one that has open slots.
4. Complete Registration - Follow the prompts to complete your registration for the selected hackathon.

Most hackathons allow registration until a specified deadline, typically a few days after the event starts.

Not at all! Our hackathons welcome participants of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced developers.

For Beginners:

• Look for hackathons marked as "Beginner-Friendly"
• Join a team with more experienced members who can provide guidance
• Focus on contributing to specific components of the project that match your skills
• Use the hackathon as a learning opportunity to develop your coding skills

The collaborative nature of hackathons makes them excellent learning environments, regardless of your experience level.

Submission Process:

1. Teams submit their projects through the hackathon dashboard before the submission deadline.
2. Submissions typically include: project title, description, GitHub repository or demo link, screenshots, and a short video demo.
3. All team members should be listed, with their contributions noted.

Judging Criteria:

Projects are typically evaluated on:

• Innovation: Originality and creativity of the solution
• Functionality: Whether the app works as intended and fulfills its purpose
• Technical Complexity: Sophistication of the implementation
• User Experience: Intuitiveness and design quality
• Presentation: Quality of project documentation and demonstration

Yes, you can use existing libraries, frameworks, and APIs in your hackathon projects. However, there are some guidelines to follow:

• Original Implementation: The core functionality of your project should be implemented during the hackathon period.
• Open Source Libraries: Using open source libraries and frameworks is encouraged, as long as they're properly attributed.
• Pre-existing Code: If you use your own pre-existing code, you should disclose this in your submission.
• Third-party Services: Integrating with APIs and services is allowed and often encouraged.

The goal is to create something new and innovative, even if you're building on existing technologies.