Going Beyond the Prize: From Hackathon Judge to Impact Driver

I got a chance to visit Tree Hacks 2 weekends ago at Stanford University which saw the participation of more than 1600+ national and international hackers from across the world. With prize money of more than $160,000 on the line - it definitely attracts some of the most passionate tech-savvy science and math hackers in the world. It also gets attention from accelerators and venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, Open AI, Foresight Ventures & BNB Chain.

Along with this - Stanford being a leading university - is able to attract talent by covering the expenses of the visit of incoming participants. It claims to select the hackers from over 4000 applicants through a 50/50 gender split and ultimately decided on admitting 40% advanced, 35% intermediate, and 25% beginner hackers.

I saw a lot of participants staying up for more than 36 hrs - drinking coffee and red bulls to keep themselves up. I was personally inspired by the energy and passion that the hackers demonstrated by making a demo for the judges in the short time allocated.

According to data from previous Tree Hacks events, a significant number of participants go on to launch their own startups or continue working on their projects after the event, including some that have raised money from the investors above.

Along with the hackers that I got to meet who focussed on different problem areas- such as design, technology, and user research skills, I was also able to interact with judges and I am going to share my conversation with Atal who was judging the event.

Atal Agarwal was judging the Tree Hacks event - based on his unique position as a product manager in healthcare. Specifically, In developing healthcare products, it is important to find satisfaction in the daily tasks of the development process and build connections with end-users. While there will inevitably be challenges and setbacks, maintaining a positive attitude and finding fulfillment in each step of the journey can help ensure long-term success. While it's not always possible or appropriate to have fun in every aspect of the work, fostering a supportive and collaborative team culture can create a more enjoyable and effective work environment."

This perspective is unique because it goes beyond simply focusing on the technical aspects of building a product or solution. Atal recognizes the importance of building meaningful connections with users and finding enjoyment in the process of problem-solving. This approach can be especially important in the healthcare industry, where the end-users (i.e. patients) are often facing significant challenges and may benefit from a more compassionate and human-centered approach.

Furthermore, Atal's emphasis on the overall experience of the participants, not just the technology, is also unique. This approach recognizes that building a successful product or solution is not just about the technical aspects, but also about creating a positive and engaging experience for both the developers and the end users. By focusing on the overall experience, Atal is encouraging a more holistic approach to building healthcare solutions that take into account the needs and desires of all stakeholders involved.

He has a proven track record of making significant contributions to healthcare. As a seasoned product manager with 5+ years of experience in the healthcare industry, he has a deep passion for creating solutions that improve people's lives and health journeys. His experience, combined with his drive to make a positive impact, has personally recognized him with numerous prizes and awards for excellence in the healthcare industry in such a short span of time where it takes years to establish credibility, he is highly acclaimed in the media and the subject of numerous features and interviews in businesses and online media. Due, to his high profile and acclaimed expertise he is regularly invited to judge hackathons, and product competitions in the competitive space of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and as a product manager he is constantly curious about involving hackers pitching ideas that lay the foundation in innovation, usage, and subjectivity among other subjects also including some of the most prestigious and recognized international competitions like the Stevie and Globee awards and tech organizations organizing a hackathon

From Atal's perspective, the impact of the ideas presented at Tree Hacks could be evaluated from varied perspectives. Objectively, many of the projects had the potential to address pressing social and environmental challenges, such as improving access to healthcare, mental health, and promoting sustainability. These projects were often backed by strong research, data, and practical considerations, which made their potential impact more tangible. Some of this research and data was done by hackers themselves by talking with users directly and understanding user pain points before building any design mockups or thinking of solutions. The use of Generative AI was very visible - where hackers leveraged the OpenAI technology for different use case implementations. Some of the ideas include - where one can create healthy recipes from what’s in the pantry using Generative AI to designing one’s personal fitness coaching schedule based on other life involvements.

For instance, projects like OpenEpi, GreenOx, Nole, and NexHealth, presented at past Tree Hacks events, were supported by high-quality research and data that highlighted the needs and challenges in their respective industries. This not only made the potential impact of these projects more tangible and easier to evaluate objectively but also increased their credibility and potential for success

From projects focused on scheduling and appointment booking tools for small businesses and entrepreneurs or a mobile app that helps senior citizens by providing them with cognitive training exercises, to custom chips being developed for use in AI and Machine Learning, the solutions presented at this year’s Tree Hacks were nothing short of remarkable. These ideas were not only well-crafted but also backed by extensive research and pragmatic considerations. It was evident that the participants had meticulously researched and understood the practical implications and feasibility of their ideas, further reinforcing their potential to drive positive change.

The subjective impact of these projects was also significant. Atal was struck by the passion, creativity, and vision of the participants - as they focused on building a new technology, but on using their skills to drive real change. This impact was reflected in the potential for these projects to inspire others, challenge existing assumptions, and shape the conversation around pressing social and environmental issues.

Q&A with Hackathon Judge

Here’s a small snippet of my chat with him during his lunch break 👍

Me

What stood out to you most during your time at Tree Hacks?

Atal

The emphasis on impact. It wasn't just about creating a cool new technology or winning a prize, but about making a real difference in people's lives. The participants were fueled by a deep passion to solve real-world problems, and they put their hearts and souls into bringing their ideas to life. It was inspiring to see the commitment to social impact and innovation.

Me

Do you think hackathons like Tree Hacks can have a significant impact on the broader economy?

Atal

Absolutely. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that hackathons can lead to increased innovation, new job creation, and economic growth. Tree Hacks, in particular, have the potential to shape the future in profound and meaningful ways.In addition to the impact on individual participants, hackathons like Tree Hacks can also have a significant impact on the broader economy. Specifically, the study found that "for every 1,000 participants in a hackathon, there is an increase of 9.67 new ventures, 37.73 new jobs, and $1.17 million in new funding."

Me

How would you host such a hackathon?

Atal

Hackathons are complex events that require a great deal of planning and coordination, with the judging process being a crucial aspect of the event's success. However, the judging process can also be challenging for organizers and judges.

Lessons learned and further recommendations to ensure fair and effective competition

Lesson 1: Be prepared for the unexpected

One of the most common challenges during hackathons is unexpected changes that can impact the judging process. To mitigate this, organizers should have backup plans in place for judges who may not show up or new teams that register last minute. I think Tree Hacks did a great job by asking judging to confirm on the organizer's desk when they show up. My recommendation - would be to develop contingency plans for all aspects of the hackathon, including judges, teams, and time management.

Lesson 2: Allocate equal time for all teams

Time management can be a challenge during the judging process, which can cause judges to rush through their evaluations. Organizers should allocate equal time for all teams to present and judges should have enough time to evaluate each team properly. My recommendation would be to create a detailed schedule that accounts for all aspects of the hackathon, including breaks and time for judges to evaluate teams.

Lesson 3: Ensure consistency and fairness in judging

Given the amount of effort by the hackers, it is important to provide consistency and fairness in the judging process. Organizers should ensure that the same judges evaluate teams in specific categories. Using a standardized scoring system to evaluate the teams ensures that they are evaluated using the same criteria. My recommendation would be to develop clear judging criteria and communicate them to judges in advance of the hackathon. Use a standardized scoring system to ensure consistency and fairness.

Lesson 4: Provide constructive feedback

Given the overall goal of a hackathon is to inspire the participants to create ventures irrespective of winning the competition, giving feedback to teams can help them understand where they excelled and where they can improve in future competitions. This can also help teams prepare better for future hackathons.

Ideally, this is also how I envision organizing a hackathon in near future.

Me

How do you think the ideas and projects presented at Tree Hacks could make a difference in the world?

Atal

Many of the projects had the potential to address pressing social and environmental challenges, such as improving access to healthcare, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability. These projects were often backed by strong research, data, and practical considerations, which made their potential impact more tangible. The participants had a deep commitment to social impact and innovation, and their ideas will undoubtedly go on to shape the future in meaningful ways.

The exceptional quality of the projects presented at Tree Hacks, as noted by Atal, was also reflected in the success of past participants.

Final Thoughts

Tree Hacks is a testament to the power of technology to transform lives and make a meaningful impact on the world. As a judge, he was privileged to witness the exceptional talent and dedication of the young innovators who participated, and he certainly places no doubt that their ideas will go on to shape the future in profound and meaningful ways. He is quite elated after having been a part of the treehacks community himself, and he is excited to see what the future holds for these brilliant minds as they continue to use their skills to drive real change in the world.