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The Startup Ideas Podcast

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Execute a world-record hackathon with 100,000+ participants

Event organizers, developer relations teams, companies launching developer tools

3-6 months preparation, 30 days execution

What Success Looks Like

Breaking previous participation records, generating massive social media engagement, creating lasting community of builders, showcasing tool capabilities at scale

Steps to Execute

1

Secure high-profile launch event (Chainsmokers party)

2

Set clear world record goal (67,000+ submissions)

3

Create substantial prize pool ($1M+) with multiple categories

4

Establish four-pillar judging criteria for fairness

5

Recruit high-caliber judges from target ecosystem

6

Build robust submission infrastructure

7

Plan for viral moments and social media amplification

8

Have technical contingency for server crashes

9

Document journey for content and credibility

Checklist

Prize structure covers global, regional, bonus, and challenge awards
Judges represent diverse backgrounds and expertise
Submission platform tested for high load
Clear judging criteria communicated upfront
Social media strategy includes building in public elements
Technical support ready for deadline crunch
Content capture planned throughout event

Inputs Needed

  • Significant budget ($1M+ for prizes)
  • Partnership with submission platform (DevPost)
  • High-profile judges willing to commit time
  • Marketing channels for participant acquisition
  • Technical infrastructure for scale
  • Content creation capabilities

Outputs

  • World record participation numbers
  • Massive social media engagement
  • Content library of participant stories
  • Qualified leads for product adoption
  • Community of engaged builders
  • Industry credibility and recognition

Example

“The Bolt hackathon started with 40-50K signups, aimed for 67K to break world record, ended with 130K participants and 1M+ apps created through celebrity launch, massive prizes, and viral social media documentation.”