Maximising Hackathon Impact: A Comprehensive Framework for Sustaining Post-Event Outcome

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ecie.19.1.2798

Keywords:

Hackathon, Innovation, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, Ideation, Impact

Abstract

Since 2020, numerous guides and tools have been available for designing, planning, and running hackathons in fields such as software engineering, ICT, and healthcare. However, a substantial gap is observed in the post-event phase of hackathons' life cycle, directly affecting the sustainability of results. This bears significant implications for hackathon events per se, as well as for ecosystem stakeholders, in medium-term and long-term perspectives. This paper addresses the issue of low valorisation of hackathon-derived solutions and assists their direct exploitation. We aim to provide a framework for hackathon organisers, managers, policymakers, and intermediary bodies maximising impact of such events. To achieve this, we investigate the relationship between event-level success and ecosystem-level impact. We draw upon the practices and data from the ENTREPRENEDU project hackathons, a Horizon Europe-funded program coordinated by the E. Amaldi Foundation. This series of hackathons, held in three different countries, helped identify key aspects for further investigation and served as the groundwork to define/frame our research question. We conducted literature review, examining papers and reports to explore how hackathon-derived knowledge is valorised within entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. Our research aimed to identify how the already known success factors of a well-designed event contribute to the sustainability of outcomes and assess their relationship. We link hackathon success indicators juxtaposed to relevant factors. While acknowledging the complexity and multifactorial nature of innovation process and knowledge diffusion, we believe that our study advances the potential for hackathons’ greater impact by providing a cohesive framework.

Author Biographies

Marios Emmanouil, University of Thessaly

Mr. Marios Emmanouil is a PhD Candidate with the research subject of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design of the University of Thessaly. He is a graduate of the Department of Business Administration at the University of Macedonia and holds a Master’s degree in entrepreneurship.

Yeoryios Stamboulis, University of Thessaly

Dr. Yeoryios Stamboulis is Associate Professor on “Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship” at the University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece. He received his B.Eng. degree in Production and Management Engineering from the Technical University of Crete, Hania. He went on to receive his MSc in Management of Technology and his D.Phil in Science and Technology Policy from the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.

Achilleas Barlas, University of Thessaly

Dr. Achilleas Barlas is Adjunct Lecturer in Marketing and Operations Management at the University of Thessaly. He received his PhD in Management of Sport Organizations from Democritus University of Thrace. Since 2022 he is the coordinator of Enterprise Europe Network-Hellas at PRAXI Network.

Lorenrzo Scatena, E. Amaldi Foundation

Dr. Lorenzo Scatena is Secretary General of E. Amaldi Foundation. Previously he served as Managing Director of E. Amaldi Foundation responsible for two business lines, under mandate of the Board of Directors: Finance for Innovation and Business Applications.

Eleonora Lombardi, E. Amaldi Foundation

Mrs. Eleonora Lombardi is senior Industrial Policy and Technology Transfer Manager at the E. Amaldi Foundation where she serves as Coordinator of the Department of Business Applications and she is Project Coordinator of several European Projects.

Valerio Roscani, E. Amaldi Foundation

Dr. Valerio Roscani is Technology Analyst and Project Manager at the E. Amaldi Foundation. He holds a PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Science and he is specialised in satellite image analysis and artificial intelligence for earth observation.

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Published

2024-09-20