"Innovation is one of the most meaningful resources for successful management at companies, be they disruptive start-ups or legacy companies aiming to pivot and progress as the business world evolves. With the increasing importance of tech in the business space, this book will examine hackathons as a means to facilitate innovation. How and why are they sources of invention? Do companies organize hackathons for said invention development, or do they have other motivations such as employer branding or general marketing? The author aims to answer these questions and others through interviews with professionals in the hackathon space and analysis of data on multiple hackathons, utilizing a novel method based on Grounded Theory and Machine Learning combined with the use of LDA for the data analysis. From a practitioner's perspective, this book will help companies build better hackathons and attract more participants. Readers will also gain a deeper understanding of knowledge and innovation management in the hackathon ecosystem. All told, this book will illustrate the effectiveness of hackathons in driving innovation across different business sectors while showing where the field has room to improve"--
Hackathons—participatory gatherings in which people with various backgrounds and experiences come together to address a challenge or create something new in a limited period of time—have become an important part of today’s technological, social, and business landscapes. They originated in IT and have since spread into other fields including medicine, law, biology, environment, education, and civic engagement. How and why can hackathons drive innovation? How can they challenge the status quo? What role can they play in an organization’s strategy? Under what conditions are hackathons most effective, and what are their limitations?
Maciej Rys—a hackathon leader and scholar with extensive experience in the field—offers a step-by-step guide to organizing successful hackathons and understanding their dynamics. He examines the evolution of hackathons from niche programming marathons to versatile platforms fostering technological advancements, entrepreneurial ventures, and social change. Drawing on extensive research, including observations and interviews from dozens of events worldwide, this book provides data-driven insights into the hackathon ecosystem. Rys shares practical lessons for organizers, participants, and mentors ranging from planning to inclusivity through sustaining momentum afterward, emphasizing both individual and group levels. Readers will learn how to build better hackathons that attract more participants, and they will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of innovation. For both hackathon veterans and those new to the field, Sparks for Innovation helps readers develop new skills, discover new possibilities, and achieve new breakthroughs.
Hackathons—participatory gatherings in which people with various backgrounds and experiences come together to address a challenge or create something new in a limited period of time—have become an important part of today’s technological, social, and business landscapes. They originated in IT and have since spread into other fields including medicine, law, biology, environment, education, and civic engagement. How and why can hackathons drive innovation? How can they challenge the status quo? What role can they play in an organization’s strategy? Under what conditions are hackathons most effective, and what are their limitations?
Maciej Rys—a hackathon leader and scholar with extensive experience in the field—offers a step-by-step guide to organizing successful hackathons and understanding their dynamics. He examines the evolution of hackathons from niche programming marathons to versatile platforms fostering technological advancements, entrepreneurial ventures, and social change. Drawing on extensive research, including observations and interviews from dozens of events worldwide, this book provides data-driven insights into the hackathon ecosystem. Rys shares practical lessons for organizers, participants, and mentors ranging from planning to inclusivity and sustaining momentum afterward, emphasizing both individual and group levels. Readers will learn how to build better hackathons that attract more participants, and they will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of innovation. For both hackathon veterans and those new to the field, Sparks for Innovation helps readers develop new skills, discover new possibilities, and achieve new breakthroughs.
Maciej Rys—a hackathon leader and scholar with extensive experience in the field—offers a step-by-step guide to organizing successful hackathons and understanding their dynamics.
