Taking Citizen-Driven Innovation to the Next Level

The last part of the Dream-Hack-Build process is Build, where the solutions created in your hackathon are allowed to become real tools. Through our work with hackathon winners over the years, we have made many observations and learned a lot about what to do and what to avoid when supporting great solutions to come to life. After a hackathon, you need a plan on how to support the winners to become real tools to make an impact. This plan is often constructed as an acceleration program; that is, a set of lectures, workshops, interactive sessions, and assignments for the winning teams. The idea is to give the solutions created during the hackathon the best possible environment to evolve into hands-on tools that bring value to people and your organization as fast as possible. This entails supporting them in setting up a company or, if this is done within your organization, to give the solution the personnel and other resources it requires...

The final step in citizen-driven innovation

The belief that a great idea is nothing if it isn’t made a reality underscores the critical distinction between conceptualization and implementation in the realm of innovation and progress. While the ideation phase represents a crucial starting point, it is the subsequent translation of those ideas into tangible actions, products, or outcomes that truly determines their value and impact. This concept encapsulates the fundamental truth that the mere existence of an innovative concept, no matter how brilliant or transformative, holds limited significance unless it is actively pursued, developed, and brought to fruition.

The process of bringing ideas to life involves a continuous cycle of learning, adaptation, and refinement. Rarely does a concept emerge fully formed and flawless; rather, it is through ongoing experimentation, iteration, and feedback that ideas evolve and improve over time. This iterative approach not only increases...

Traditional acceleration programs

Acceleration programs, incubation hubs, and similar educational platforms for start-up growth have emerged as significant players in the contemporary business landscape, with a global footprint spanning diverse regions. In a world where innovation is highly prized, these initiatives serve as fertile grounds for nurturing budding entrepreneurs and cultivating groundbreaking solutions poised to revolutionize industries. Investors are drawn to these programs, eager to identify and capitalize on the next disruptive innovation before it gains mainstream attention.

The comprehensive support offered by these programs encompasses a wide array of critical elements essential for start-up success. From strategic business planning and financial guidance to refining communication strategies, bolstering social media presence, and mastering the art of effective pitching, participants receive comprehensive assistance tailored to their specific needs and objectives...

Why Build for Earth is unique

The entire Hack for Earth process of Dream! Hack! Build! was born out of a trial-and-error mindset, testing our way forward to what works. In order to explain what makes the Build for Earth acceleration program unique, it’s imperative to explain the background and context it was born out of.

When our team engaged in the government mission of Hack for Sweden, we embarked on a journey that not only exposed us to the intricacies of organizing hackathons but also shed light on a pervasive issue plaguing the innovation ecosystem: the lack of sustained support for winning solutions beyond the jury announcement. This phenomenon, prevalent across hackathons worldwide, raised profound questions about the efficacy and impact of these events, prompting us to reevaluate the underlying motivations for participation.

Exploring the challenges of making winning solutions come to life

While hackathons serve as catalysts for innovation and creativity, their...

Can’t I just have a hackathon event and skip the acceleration program?

Indeed, the temptation to focus solely on organizing the hackathon event itself, without investing resources and effort into an acceleration program afterward, may be alluring. Budget constraints and other logistical considerations often prompt organizers to prioritize the event over post-hackathon support initiatives. However, as we will explore in this section, this approach is not only shortsighted but also undermines the long-term impact and sustainability of the hackathon endeavor.

Organizing a hackathon event of high quality requires substantial effort and meticulous planning to ensure a positive and enriching experience for all stakeholders involved – from hackers and jury members to mentors and partners. The logistics of securing venues, recruiting participants, coordinating mentors, and curating challenges demands careful attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. However, the...

Impact on the future

Anyone can have a great idea, and most people probably will sometime in their lifetime. The only thing that matters, however, is execution.

This encapsulates a profound truth in the world of innovation. It underscores the critical importance of turning conceptual brilliance into tangible outcomes through effective execution. Nowhere is this principle more relevant than in the context of hackathons, where creative energy abounds and ideas flow freely.

In this light, an acceleration program emerges as the linchpin in the journey from hackathon ideation to impactful implementation. It serves as the conduit through which the seeds of innovation planted during the hackathon event are nurtured and cultivated into actionable solutions with real-world significance. By providing winning teams with the necessary support, resources, and guidance, the acceleration program ensures that the momentum generated during the hackathon is sustained and translated into tangible...

About prize money

The inclusion of prize money in hackathons serves as a double-edged sword, wielding significant influence in both attracting participants and igniting motivation among competing teams. However, the timing and manner in which prize money is dispersed can profoundly impact the outcomes and sustainability of the hackathon experience. While immediate gratification may seem appealing, particularly in the aftermath of an intense and demanding hackathon event, the premature dispersal of prize money without accompanying support mechanisms can have detrimental consequences.

Dispersing prize money directly after the conclusion of the hackathon event, devoid of any structured support or guidance, is a practice that we caution against. This approach risks fostering a short-sighted mindset among winning teams, who may hastily expend the funds without strategic foresight or long-term planning. Without the benefit of ongoing mentorship, training, or access to resources, teams...

Tracking winners

Example 1 – BrightAct

BrightAct was the winner of Hack the Crisis Sweden in April 2020 and also the EUvsVirus hackathon in May 2020. The two founders of BrightAct met at the Hack the Crisis Sweden online hackathon in April 2020. Soon realizing the potential of their innovative winning solution, Elinor Samuelson and Sofie Wahlström quit their day jobs shortly thereafter to focus on developing the business of BrightAct full-time. Today, only 3 years later, BrightAct is establishing itself in several countries in Europe and on its way to establishing itself in other parts of the world too. They have won several prizes for their innovative systemic approach to a longstanding and worldwide issue. BrightAct is a great example of a winning hackathon solution that has come to the market fast. Here are some facts about it:

• BrightAct is a digital matching tool to connect people seeking help with support organizations to help victims of domestic violence...

Summary

In this chapter, we have delved into the critical importance of implementing an acceleration program following the culmination of a hackathon event. Central to our discussion is the recognition that ideas, no matter how innovative or promising, hold little value if they remain dormant and unrealized. Therefore, the essence of citizen-driven innovation lies not merely in ideation but in the proactive pursuit of execution and tangible outcomes.

Throughout the chapter, we have underscored the pivotal role of action-oriented strategies in driving the transformation of ideas into impactful solutions. By organizing and implementing an acceleration program, hackathon organizers can provide winning teams with the necessary support, resources, and guidance to navigate the complex journey from concept to realization. This includes facilitating access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and technical assistance, all of which are essential components in the journey toward bringing...