How to Ace a Solo Hackathon: My Experience and Tips

Hackathons are exciting, intense, and challenging—and doing one solo can feel like an even bigger mountain to climb. When you’re alone in the coding ring, all the planning, coding, and creativity falls on your shoulders. I know this firsthand because I participated in a solo hackathon where I had to come up with an idea, build it, and present it—all on my own. It was nerve-wracking, but also one of the most rewarding experiences of my coding journey.

Here’s a look into how I aced my first solo hackathon, and the tips that helped me along the way.

1. Embrace the Fear, But Start Anyway

When I first signed up for the hackathon, I was excited but also terrified. It wasn’t just the time pressure—it was the fact that I had to do everything solo. Unlike team-based hackathons where you can lean on others for support, a solo hackathon means you’re responsible for all aspects of the project.

But here’s the thing: It’s okay to feel scared. In fact, everyone feels nervous before a hackathon, especially if it’s their first time. The trick is to not let fear hold you back. Start brainstorming ideas, sketch out a plan, and just dive in. Once you get going, that fear will start to fade as you focus on the task at hand.

Tip: Take that nervous energy and turn it into momentum. Use it to fuel your excitement for the project instead of letting it paralyze you.

2. Keep Your Idea Simple (But Effective)

One of the biggest mistakes I almost made was trying to create something too ambitious. I had grand ideas about building a fully functioning app with multiple features, but then I realized—I only had a limited amount of time. The key to success in a solo hackathon is to keep your idea simple but impactful.

For my hackathon project, I built an app using Thunkable called “About Endangered Animals”. The goal was to raise awareness about endangered species. It wasn’t overly complicated—I made a simple, user-friendly app that allowed people to swipe through different categories of animals and learn about them. The app had just enough functionality to showcase my coding skills, but it wasn’t overwhelming to build in a short period.

Tip: Choose an idea that solves a problem or provides value, but don’t overcomplicate it. Focus on doing one thing well, rather than trying to include too many features.

3. Plan Your Time Wisely

Time management is everything in a solo hackathon. Since you’re working on your own, it’s easy to lose track of time or get caught up in small details. I made sure to plan my time carefully and stick to a schedule. I broke down the hackathon into stages: brainstorming, coding, testing, and finalizing.

Here’s how I broke it down:

  • Day 1: Brainstorming and planning. I finalized the idea for my app and sketched out how it would work.
  • Day 2: Focus on coding. I spent most of the day building the app in Thunkable.
  • Day 3: Testing and refining. I tested the app for bugs, made improvements, and worked on polishing the presentation.

Tip: Create a rough timeline for each phase of your project. Give yourself enough time to test and refine your code—because trust me, debugging always takes longer than expected!

4. Use the Right Tools

In a solo hackathon, you don’t have the luxury of a team with various skill sets—so it’s crucial to pick the right tools that make development easier and faster. For my project, I used Thunkable, a drag-and-drop app development platform. Thunkable allowed me to focus on the app’s functionality without having to write complex code, which saved a ton of time.

The platform you choose should match the project you want to create. For example, if you’re building a website, something like Wix or Webflow might help you get up and running quickly. If you’re coding from scratch, Python or JavaScript could be good choices for fast prototyping.

Tip: Use tools that speed up your development process. Choose something you’re familiar with, or a tool that’s designed to make coding more efficient for the type of project you’re building.

5. Don’t Forget About the Presentation

In a hackathon, coding isn’t the only thing that matters. You need to be able to present your project in a clear, engaging way. After all, the judges won’t know how awesome your code is if they don’t understand what your app does and why it’s important.

For my presentation, I focused on telling a compelling story. I explained the inspiration behind the app (my passion for endangered species), walked through its main features, and showed a live demo. I also highlighted why raising awareness through a simple app could make a big difference.

Tip: Practice your presentation before the deadline. Make sure you can explain your project clearly and demonstrate its functionality. The way you present your project can make all the difference in how it’s received.

6. Stay Focused and Don’t Panic

There’s always a moment in a hackathon where things get overwhelming—maybe you hit a bug, or you realize you’re running out of time. I had my share of those moments, especially when my app wasn’t working the way I wanted. But the key is to stay calm and keep moving forward.

When you encounter a roadblock, take a deep breath and troubleshoot. If you can’t fix it immediately, find a workaround. The last thing you want to do is waste time panicking.

Tip: If you get stuck, step away for a few minutes, clear your head, and come back with fresh eyes. Sometimes, that short break is all you need to see the problem more clearly.

7. Celebrate Your Success—No Matter the Outcome

Whether you win or not, participating in a solo hackathon is a huge achievement. You’ve pushed yourself, learned new skills, and built something entirely on your own. For me, winning the hackathon was an unexpected surprise, but what mattered more was the fact that I had finished a project I was proud of.

After the hackathon, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned. Maybe you discovered a new coding tool, or maybe you learned how to better manage your time. Whatever it is, celebrate those victories and use them to grow as a coder.

Tip: Hackathons aren’t just about the prize—they’re about learning, growing, and having fun. Whether you win or not, completing a project is a win in itself!

Conclusion: You’ve Got This!

Solo hackathons can be intimidating, but they’re also incredibly rewarding. From managing your time to presenting your project, the experience teaches you valuable lessons about coding, creativity, and perseverance. With the right mindset and a solid plan, you can ace your next solo hackathon—just like I did with my environmental app.

Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Take the leap, embrace the challenge, and who knows? You might just surprise yourself.

Have you participated in a hackathon before? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments! 💻🏆

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