Whether you’re a rookie software developer or a seasoned coding veteran, there are many benefits to attending a hackathon. At hackathons, chances are you’ll meet plenty of other developers with different levels of experience who are working on projects of their own. You can bounce ideas off these people and join a community of people with similar interests.
Besides networking, hackathon events give you the opportunity to make new friends, meet potential employers and even make some serious headway on a prototype. And if you should win a hackathon, you’ll have bragging rights, a resume booster and maybe even a prize.
Here, we’ve rounded up four upcoming hackathons Boston techies should put on their calendars.
If you're interested in storytelling...
The Future of Listening Hackathon
Date: October 28-30
Location: Cambridge Innovation Center in Cambridge
What it is: Sponsored by Audible, The Future of Listening Hackathon is a three-day event for developers and designers to play around with the world of storytelling using the all-new Audible APIs. Apps will be presented to Audible CEO Don Katz and the winner takes home $10,000. Register here.
If you’re interested in health tech...
More Disruption Please Hackathon Kickoff Party
Date: November 4 at 4 p.m.
Location: Meadhall at 4 Cambridge Center
What it is: athenahealth is throwing its 7th annual healthcare hackathon as part of its More Disruption Please (MDP) program, which brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, companies and investors who share a desire to make healthcare work better through disruptive solutions. There will be drinks and snacks. Register here.
If you’re interested in clean energy…
Date: November 11 to November 13
Location: MIT Stata Center at 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge
What it is: The MIT Energy Hackathon brings college students together to learn about real-world challenges, come up with ideas, find startup partners and make products to win cash awards. This weekend-long event will ask teams of hackers to solve the toughest energy-related challenges. Register here.
If you’re interested in childhood development…
The First 8 Years: A Public Media Hackathon
Date: November 18 at 8:30 a.m. and November 19 at 5 p.m.
Location: WGBH at 1 Guest Street in Boston
What it is: First 8 Labs, a research and development unit at WGBH composed of members from the Children’s Programming, Education and Digital departments, is hosting a free two-day hackathon to build media solutions that promote healthy childhood development. Parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and designers are all welcome to take part in the event. Food and drinks will be provided. Register here.
If you’re interested in women in tech...
Date: November 19 at 9 a.m. and November 20 at 6 p.m.
Location: KAYAK Technology HQ at 10 Canal Park, Cambridge
What it is: The Lady Problem Global Hackathon Series, presented by AngelHack, wants to answer some of the problems that prevent female entrepreneurship. Developers, designers and entrepreneurs are invited to hack solutions for problems related to enabling women’s health, safety, culture and economic empowerment. It costs $10 to attend. Register here.
Photos via social media
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