Tips for a good hack

How to win a hackathon

Build the demo judges remember: ship fast, show the core workflow, and keep momentum high.

First hour plan

Ship something real—now

MVP in 1 Hour

  • →Ship the smallest, most basic version of your final product within the first hour.
  • →Building Slack? Have a web app that lets you create a channel and post a message within 1–2 hours.
  • →Skip login, branding, and scale—make the core feature work.

Code Templates

  • →Boilerplate code will get you to traction faster.
  • →If you're using AI or template engines, let them handle the non-innovative work like auth flows.
How to build a minimum viable product

Demo-first mindset

Not like this
  • ✕Polishing every screen, crafting bespoke auth, or stressing scale before anything works.
  • ✕Packing weeks of roadmap into a single weekend sprint.
Like this
  • ✓A clickable demo that proves the single core workflow end-to-end.
  • ✓A simple story you can show judges in under two minutes.
Build philosophy

Operate like an elite hacker

Speed Over All

Prioritize speed to production when setting up your environment and choosing your stack. Now isn't the moment to learn Docker from scratch. If you're brand new, pick an easy, hacky stack—AppScript with Google Sheets counts.

Focus

Make the problem narrow and the solution technically simple. Ship something small, specific, and demo-ready.

Hacking a hackathon

Momentum playbook

  1. 01

    Start Fast, Decide Faster

    Pick an idea in 15 minutes—don't overthink it. The sooner you decide, the more time you have to build.

  2. 02

    Build a Demo-First MVP

    Prioritize something you can show, not just describe. Skip perfect architecture—make it work first.

  3. 03

    Ship Small, Ship Often

    Get a working version ASAP, even if it's ugly. Frequent commits and small wins keep momentum high.

  4. 04

    Automate the Boring Stuff

    Use APIs, AI tools, and no-code where you can. Don't reinvent the wheel—move fast.

  5. 05

    Divide & Conquer

    If someone is stuck, move on or swap tasks. Time is the enemy—don't stall.

  6. 06

    Sleep Optional, Attitude Mandatory

    Drink coffee, hydrate, and keep the vibes high. Momentum beats burnout.

  7. 07

    The Best Hack Is a Working Hack

    It doesn't need to be revolutionary. If it works and looks impressive, you're winning.

  8. 08

    Have Fun & Break Things Responsibly

    Hackathons are chaos. Embrace it, build something cool, make new friends, and enjoy the ride.

The winning formula

Working demo + great story + high energy team

Nail the core flow, show it with confidence, and keep the vibes high. That's HackKentucky gold.