About Hackathon Spaces
Work gatherings that are often hosted for a specific purpose, perhaps to tackle both business and social problems, are great events for tech companies and organizations looking for competent software developers. These events allow companies to promote their image to other companies and interested software developers which allows them to raise interest and awareness for any upcoming projects they may be planning.
While the focus of a hackathon is for collaborators to work together on a certain project, many hackathons often have other features and events occurring simultaneously. These events can range anywhere from workshops to guest speakers to creating interest in those who are new to coding or would like to get into that field.
Whether you’re new to hackathons or an experienced veteran with many years of experience in the field, these events are a sure way to better your overall knowledge as well as reach out to form new connections with like-minded people. But before you start planning what services you may need for your upcoming event, it’s wise to look at the possible venues to get a better idea of what you may be working with.
The Best Hackathon Venues
Hackathons have the advantage of being almost any size. From massive corporations arranging these events to build relationships and interest to smaller get-togethers that are hosted by software enthusiasts, finding an ideal hackathon venue is a relatively easy task if you know where to look.
- Pubs and Cafés
Ideal for smaller events and perfect for a quaint hackathon location, pubs and cafés are venues that require little to no decoration as the venue usually provides the needed ambience for a comfortable and relaxed environment. These venues can be rented as well as sectioned off for the hackathon event, depending on your arrangement with the owner. All that may need to be considered when renting these venues is the capacity as well as a few extra amenities like Wi-Fi or sectioned rooms.
- Event Spaces
These can be anything from secluded outdoor venues to lofts and studios. Event spaces can vary in size and amenities offered. The key to a great event space is finding a venue that offers you just what you need, if not a bit more. These venues usually have Wi-Fi which is always a bonus and allows teams to upload their programs and look for help online without having to bring their own networks and connections. Perhaps a bright and inspiring event space is just what you need to spark ideas for your next hackathon.
- Offices
Workspaces like offices and conference rooms are excellent as they usually have all that you need for a small to medium sized event. Offices offer event planners sections within the venue that can be designated for different companies and smaller events which allows for a more competitive and fun environment. With the addition of Wi-Fi and other amenities such as kitchens and break rooms, almost everything is ready to go for your upcoming hackathon event. Book a workshop meeting room for your upcoming hackathon.
- Warehouses
Warehouses are known for being bare and this convenience allows users to modify the area as they see fit. Often used for larger scale hackathon events, as each company can have a section of the warehouse dedicated to their mini-event, warehouses are a great choice when considering options for hackathon sites. Modern warehouses have a more open layout which means that allows for more accessibility and mobility.
What to Look For in Hackathon Spaces
When looking for a potential hackathon location, it’s wise to consider various aspects that can make or break the event. Ensuring that there are the essentials on-site allows the hackathon to proceed in a smooth manner which can make the entire event more enjoyable.
- Security
With so many high-end pieces of technology within the venue, it's wise to consider just how safe the area in and around the venue is. Ensuring that only those participating are allowed into the hackathon is essential. Choose a secure environment and consider hiring adequate staff to keep your event moving along smoothly.
- Wi-Fi and Network Connections
When participating in hackathons, a wide range of Wi-Fi and network connections may be needed. This is especially important if you plan on hosting a hybrid hackathon that consists of participants that are on-site and those that are participating in the hackathon online.
- Size
Since hackathons come in all forms and sizes, considering the number of attendees is vital when looking for a potential hackathon venue. For corporations planning a long list of attendees, looking towards bigger venues like warehouses or large studio spaces is a viable option, while for smaller hackathons, pubs and offices can work.
- Electrical Outlets
Taking into consideration the amount of electronic equipment that will be utilized in the hackathon can direct you to locations that are able to capacitate many electrical devices without being overloaded. Ensuring that the warehouses you rent have sufficient outlets that are well-spaced is something to consider.
- Accessibility
Ensuring that there are many ways to enter your venue can lessen the time taken to set up the venue and allows for the participants to better set up their station. Having many ways to enter and exit the venue means that people like caterers and speakers are less likely to disturb the participants of the hackathon.
Hackathon Inspiration
The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing potential locations for your upcoming hackathon. With almost all venues having everything you need, having a few ideas in mind may help you decide on your location.
- Intense Hackathon in an Industrial Warehouse
With many prizes on the line and multiple professional teams at the ready, what better place to host a professional hackathon than a massive warehouse that can host multiple teams?
- Laid-back Hackathon in a Quaint Café
Great for amateurs, enthusiasts, as well as beginners in coding, having a smaller event in a quaint café can make attendees feel more confident and relaxed compared to larger venues.
- Team Building Hackathon in a Modern Office
Build relationships as well as code by incorporating a modern office in your upcoming team-building hackathon. Modern offices have the bonus of increasing productivity as the layout doesn’t feel constrictive.
- Corporate Hackathon in a Secluded Outdoor Venue
When looking for sponsors and potential employees, having a change in setting compared to the usual venues for hackathons may be just what you need to stand out from the rest of the competition.