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

📰 Medium · Startup

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

intermediate Published 23 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Act like a startup founder, focusing on problem-solving and innovation
Understand the judging criteria to tailor your project effectively
Develop a unique value proposition to stand out from other teams
Create a clear and concise pitch to showcase your project
Demonstrate a deep understanding of the problem you're trying to solve

Who Needs to Know This

Hackathon teams and startup founders can benefit from this playbook to improve their chances of winning, by understanding the judging criteria and prioritizing their approach accordingly

Key Insight

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