Hackathon Organizer Guide
  • Introduction
  • overview
    • What is a Hackathon?
    • What is MLH?
    • MLH Hackcon
    • MLH Community Values
    • Event Types
      • Digital Events
        • Digital Mini Events
          • Marble Races
          • Pokemon Showdown
          • Wiki Races
          • Hacker Hangouts
        • Streamyard
  • General Information
    • Hackathon Timeline
    • Finding the Date and Purpose
    • Build Your Leadership Team
    • Locking Down a Venue
    • Hackathon Budgeting
      • Legal Considerations
    • Getting Sponsorship
      • Introduction to Fundraising
      • Understanding Your Sponsors
        • Evaluating In-kind Sponsorships
      • Potential Sponsor Perks
      • Sponsorship Prospectus
      • The 5-Step MLH Sponsorship Process
      • Cheat Sheet: Emailing Your Sponsors
    • Hackathon Website
      • Making an Accessible Design
      • Placeholder Website
      • Main Website
    • Marketing Your Event
      • Promoting Your Event
        • Marketing Email Template
      • Marketing Goals & Timelines
    • Managing Registrations
      • Registrations
      • Free Registration Tool - OrganizerHQ (OHQ)
      • Sending Reminders
        • Email Templates
      • Check-in Process
    • Event Logistics
      • Hackathon Communication Platform
      • Project Challenges
      • Ordering Swag and Prizes
      • Set Up Your Event
      • Working with Food Vendors
      • Hosting Hackers with Dietary Restrictions
      • Distributing Meals
      • Transportation/Travel Plans
      • Hardware
      • Prepare Your Emergency Plan
    • Judging and Submissions
      • Rules for Your Hackathon
      • Judging Plan
      • Cheating Check
      • Judges Communication and Recruiting
      • Hackathon Submission Portal
        • Using Devpost
        • Using Devfolio
        • Using DoraHacks
    • Hackathon Scheduling
      • Detailed Run of Show
      • Run-Through with the Team
      • MLH Tips and Templates
    • Mentorship
    • Day of Logistics and Hacker Experience
      • Help Desk Recommendations
      • Fun Mini Events
      • Workshops
      • Opening Ceremony
      • Closing Ceremony
    • After the Event
  • Organizer Resources
    • Template Links
    • Getting Support from Others
    • Leadership Resources
    • Marketing Resources
    • Registrations Resources
      • GDPR in Europe
    • Host Exciting Mini-Events
      • Cup Stacking
      • MLH Mini Events
        • WereWolf
        • Slideshow Karaoke
        • !Light
        • MS Paint Bob Ross
    • Keeping Records
    • Software for Hackathons
  • Contributors
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On this page
  • 4 to 9 Months Before
  • 4 months before
  • ​​Apply to become an MLH Member Event!​
  • 3 months before
  • 2 months before
  • 1 month before
  • 1 week before
  • Game Day!
  • ​​After the Event

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  1. General Information

Hackathon Timeline

A typical timeline while planning a hackathon is listed below. Different articles will be sorted accordingly here for a better reference.

PreviousStreamyardNextFinding the Date and Purpose

Last updated 7 months ago

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4 to 9 Months Before

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4 months before

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3 months before

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2 months before

1 month before

  • ​Get the Final Headcount​

1 week before

Game Day!

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Finding the Date & Purpose​
Building your Leadership Team
Locking Down a Venue
Setup a Placeholder Website
​Understanding Sponsorship​
​Make your Hackathon Budget
​Putting Together a Sponsorship Prospectus​
​Start Sponsor Outreach​
Apply to become an MLH Member Event!
Start your Hackathon Outreach
Make your main website live!​
Collecting Registrations for the Hackathon​
Start thinking about the experience of your hackathon​
Start planning our your hackathon logistics​
​Draft up your Judging Plans
Draft up your Mentorship Plans​
​Start booking your judges​/mentors
Start working with your vendors​
Start Brainstorming Mini Event​
​Plan Engaging Workshops
Hackathon Software
Create a detailed Run of Show​
Finalize your Food Requirements
Organize Transportation
Sending Reminders to the Participants
​Set up your Event​
​Prepare your Emergency Plan
Do a schedule run-through with the team​
Judges & Mentor Followup​
Check in Process​
Distributing Meals
Running Judging​
​Doing Mentorship​
​Running Workshops
Opening & Closing Ceremonies​
After the Event