Hack the Gap’s Hackathon Service
Innovation, collaboration and connection in an inclusive way
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is a rapid innovation process where small groups or teams collaborate and design a solution to address a specific challenge or opportunity related to the theme of the hackathon. See examples of themes we’ve worked on below.
The main goal of our hackathons is to ensure that participants' ideas and feedback are captured in a comprehensive and accurate way through the use of digital resources, inclusive facilitation and informative sessions.
The intended outcome(s) of the hackathon are tangible blueprints for organizations, stakeholders or clients to build.
Nordic-American IDEA Hackathon Kick Off, October 13 2020
How Our Hackathon Service Can Work For You
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Increase Engagement & Collaboration
Team work and collaboration are at the heart of a hackathon. Our unique approach and facilitation process is designed to increase employee or community engagement though guided process and a strong support system.
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Ideate and Innovate
Hackathons are built on the notion of taking an idea from conception to the design or implementation phase. During this rapid innovation process, your team can better understand the possibilities as well as gaps and barriers to building the next big thing.
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Learn by Building
Hackathons are a great opportunity to learn something new by utilizing the skills at hand. Whether you’re new to a field, looking to grow or simply want to engage in something different, this is a great opportunity to learn by doing.
Case Studies
Nordic-American IDEA Hackathon
Hack the Gap hosted a 6-week hackathon in collaboration with Nordic City Solutions and Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce to produce ideas and solutions for modern urban development challenges here in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
As a result of the hackathon, the teams arrived at 14 unique proposals to 4 specific urban development challenges. Each challenge owner will now have multiple solutions to choose from, and they are not limited to one choice.
Challenges surrounded creating sustainable eco-loop energy systems, access to fresh and healthy food, affordable housing that is environmentally sustainable and community ownership.
Challenge owner, Monte Hilleman, reflecting on the Nordic-American IDEA Hackathon outcomes during the closing event.
Recap of the final solutions from the 2-day Community Impact Workshop
Reconnect Rondo’s Community Impact Workshop
This 2-day workshop series was an opportunity for community members to ideate on restorative development solutions for Rondo, an historically Black neighborhood in St. Paul, MN.
Due to the construction of highway 94 in the 1950’s, the community was split in half which had a negative impact on the once thriving neighborhood. Through the construction of a land bridge, the community will have an opportunity to right the past wrongs that harmed this community, and move towards a restorative future.
With a focus on restorative development, housing security, health and wellbeing, cultural districts and neighborhood connections, teams created 10 thoughtful and creative solutions for the future of a land bridge in Rondo.
What our clients are saying
“A great launch …Hack the Gap has exceeded expectation in that they are forward thinking and steps in their planning for collaborative execution.”
— Keith Baker, Reconnect Rondo Executive Director
“I found the process as a great learning experience. The group I was with was knowledgable and well-spoken. Solutions were creative. Participants all used their unique voices to reach a measurable outcome.”
— Hackathon Participant
“I could not have asked for better partners to execute such an incredible series of activities and events as we did with Hack the Gap.”
— Pamela Tiller, Trade Council North America - Nordic Cities Solutions
“I appreciated the collection of experiences & expertise in my small group! It made for a fresh-feeling brainstorming session and encouraged me to think more deeply. Thanks for organizing this process. It was really fun.”
— Hackathon Participant