# Blog

> Hackathon strategy write-ups: how to win, pick a stack, pitch, and turn weekend projects into career wins.

Canonical: https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog

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Short, specific strategies from 36+ wins. No fluff, just the ideas that help you build sharper and pitch better.

[5 min read

#### What to Do After a Hackathon: Ship 5 Assets That Get You Hired

What to do after a hackathon, win or lose: the 5 linked assets that get you hired, and the AI skills that build your README, Devpost, portfolio, and demo copy.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/what-to-do-after-a-hackathon)[6 min readUpdated Jun 24, 2026

#### 9 Hackathon Pitch Mistakes I Saw at LA Hacks

Hackathon pitch mistakes from the LA Hacks judging floor: tailor the pitch, cut your slides, demo the main flow, and protect Q&A time for higher scores.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/hackathon-pitch-mistakes-la-hacks)[5 min readUpdated Jun 24, 2026

#### How to Build with ElevenLabs and Cursor at a Hackathon

Build a voice AI hackathon project with ElevenLabs and Cursor in an afternoon. The exact PRD-first, MCP-driven, test-driven workflow Bill uses to ship and win.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/build-with-elevenlabs-and-cursor)[3 min readUpdated Jun 24, 2026

#### Non-Coders Winning Hackathons: How Experts Beat Developers

Non-coders winning hackathons is real in 2026. A lawyer took 1st and a doctor 3rd at Anthropic's global hackathon, beating developers with Claude Code.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/non-coders-winning-hackathons)[3 min readUpdated Jun 24, 2026

#### Hackathon Pitch Guide: How to Present Your Project and Win Prizes

Master the hackathon pitch with a 3-minute structure from 36+ winning presentations: the hook, the demo, judge Q&A, and the mistakes that cost prizes.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/hackathon-pitch-guide)[4 min readUpdated Jun 24, 2026

#### Hackathon Tips for Beginners: Your First Hackathon Survival Guide

First hackathon? This beginner's guide covers what to bring, how to find a team, what to build, the mistakes to avoid, and how to win as a first-timer.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/hackathon-tips-for-beginners)[4 min readUpdated Jun 24, 2026

#### Best Tech Stack for Hackathons in 2026: Tools That Win Prizes

The best tech stack for hackathons in 2026: Next.js, FastAPI, Supabase, Vercel, and an AI API. The exact stack winning teams use, and the rule that beats it.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/best-tech-stack-for-hackathons)[5 min readUpdated Jun 24, 2026

#### How to Win Hackathons: A Complete Guide from 36+ Victories

How to win hackathons, from 36+ wins and $100K+ in prizes. The 7-phase system covering team, ideation, validation, execution, pitching, and submission.

Read article](https://thehackathonplaybook.dev/blog/how-to-win-hackathons)

© 2026 Hackathon Playbook

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