Your Perfect Hackathon

The Art of the Possible: Help develop the world's greatest hackathons

We want to organize the world's most exciting hackathons. Your feedback and advice will help us work towards that goal. It's a short survey, have fun!

* 1. Why do you participate in hackathons? (Rank in order of importance, with 1 being the most important.)

To network and meet new peopel

To learn about new tools, software and technologies

To receive swag and win prizes

For bragging rights

To promote myself and improve my professional career's prospects

Curiosity about trying new things

They're fun!

I like building prototypes of my ideas and potentially sell them

* 2. How long is your ideal hackathon?

1 day (from early morning to late at night)

2 days & 1 night

2 1/2 days & 2 nights

Other (please specify)

* 3. Among the following choices, what prizes do you find the most motivating? (Rank in order of importance, with 1 being the most motivating.)

Money

Funding for personal and/or professional development programming

Face time with important person or people

A technological gift of some kind (computer, speakers, Raspberry pi, 3D printer, ...)

A trip

I'm not motivated by the prizes

* 4. If you could organize a hackathon in whatever space/venue you wanted, where would it take place?

* 5. What makes for a good hackathon venue? (Please rank in order of importance, with 1 being the most important)

Close distance to public transit

Windows and sunlight

Good Wifi and electrical outlets

A lounge area to take breaks

Venues that feel different, innovative and out of the ordinary

Convention centres, hotels and pragmatic spaces where all the amenities are within easy reach

A gaming area (video games, ping pong, foosball, ...)

East access to a park or green space

* 6. Among the following, what do you find most disagreeable about hackathons? (Rank in order of importance, with 1 being the most important.)

Forming teams

The long hours

The competitive nature of participants

The food

When hackathon challenges are too narrow

When hackathon challenges are too broad

* 7. In your mind, what's the biggest problem with hackathons?

* 8. What kind of food would you most prefer during a hackathon? (Please select your 3 favourite)

Pizza and pasta

Sandwiches and subs

Shawarma, Falafel, rice, salads, hummus

Burritos and nachos

Indian: curries, rice, naan, tandoori

Chinese: Mix of meat and vegetarian stir-fires, noodle and rice dishes

Roast chicken, potatoes, salad

As long as there's variety, I'm happy.

No preference, I like it all!

Other (please specify)

* 9. What song(s) would you choose as the soundtrack to your perfect hackathon?

* 10. If you could organize a hackathon challenge that addresses a social, political, economic, environmental or technological issue, what would it be?

* 11. Do you think workshops and presentations about the hackathon challenge that take place before hackathons are a good way to get your creative juices flowing and motivate you about the event?

Yes. It helps me better understand the problem

No. I like to begin the hackathon at the launch date and not before

Depends on the hackathon

I don't have time for workshops before the hackathon

Other (please specify)

* 12. Do you think hackathons should focus more on:

developing realistic working prototypes and solutions for the challenges presented

creating an atmosphere where people with different skill sets can brainstorm together and learn about a problem/challenge

inspiring participants to consider the "art of the possible," to think up and imagine futuristic forward-thinking solutions with technologies that are not available or haven't been created