How to Win Your First Hackathon: A FAANG Judge’s Playbook

📰 Medium · AI

Win your first hackathon by understanding what judges look for, focusing on startup founder mindset over tech stack

intermediate Published 23 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Research the judging criteria for your hackathon
Develop a startup founder mindset to focus on problem-solving and innovation
Identify a real-world problem to solve with your project
Create a clear and concise pitch to present your project
Focus on demonstrating impact and potential for growth

Who Needs to Know This

Hackathon teams, especially those with limited experience, can benefit from understanding the judging criteria to increase their chances of winning. Team leaders and members can apply this knowledge to guide their project development and presentation

Key Insight

💡 Judges prioritize startup founder mindset, problem-solving, and impact over tech stack