Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dive headfirst into a whirlwind of code, creativity, and caffeine? Last weekend, I traded my usual routine of cozy movie nights and brunch dates for something completely out of my comfort zone: a 24-hour AI hackathon. It was a wild ride, filled with late-night brainstorming, unexpected friendships, and a crash course in what it takes to build something from nothing in just one day. Here’s my story, packed with lessons I learned about teamwork, AI-driven innovation, and why stepping into the unknown can be the best decision you’ll ever make.
Why a Hackathon Changed My Perspective
I’m not a coder. My world revolves around storytelling, ideas, and maybe a knack for keeping the vibes high. So, when I signed up for one of Singapore’s biggest in-person hackathons, I was equal parts excited and terrified. Over 400 people—seasoned engineers, starry-eyed newbies, and everyone in between—gathered on a university campus to build something extraordinary using artificial intelligence. The energy was electric, and the stakes? Well, let’s just say the grand prize was worth nearly $40,000. No pressure, right?
The event kicked off at 9 a.m. on a Saturday and ran until noon the next day. The challenge was simple but daunting: create a functional project from scratch, powered by AI, in just 24 hours. Organizers encouraged us to think big, get weird, and let our imaginations run wild. And trust me, some teams took that advice to heart.
Finding My Tribe: Building a Team
Walking into a room full of coders, I felt like a fish out of water. My lack of technical skills could’ve been a dealbreaker, but I leaned into what I could bring to the table: ideas, enthusiasm, and a knack for connecting people. Through a quick search on the event’s Discord channel, I found my team—a diverse group of four: a product developer, a deep tech expert, a product designer, and a software engineer. Together, we were a motley crew, united by a shared passion for preserving family legacies.
Collaboration isn’t just about skills; it’s about finding people who share your vision and vibe.
– My own reflection after the hackathon
We named our project Heirloom, a digital time capsule designed to capture and preserve family stories and recipes for future generations. It was personal for all of us—each member had a story about a grandparent’s recipe or memory they didn’t want to fade. Our goal was to create something meaningful, not just functional. But let me tell you, turning a heartfelt idea into a working app in 24 hours? That’s where the real magic (and chaos) began.
The Chaos of Creation: 24 Hours of Hustle
Saturday was a blur. We spent hours brainstorming, sketching wireframes, and diving into code. My role? I pitched ideas, helped refine our pitch, and kept the team’s spirits high when the clock started ticking louder. Some of us pulled an all-nighter, fueled by instant noodles and sheer determination. I’ll admit, I crashed around 2 a.m., leaving my teammates to soldier on. When I returned Sunday morning, the campus was a surreal sight—people sprawled on benches, napping on floors, or frantically tweaking their projects.
One of the organizers shared a funny story about finding participants scattered in random lecture halls, like “catching wild Pokémon.” It was a perfect metaphor for the hackathon’s energy—chaotic, creative, and a little unhinged. By the time submissions rolled around, about 150 projects were presented, each one a testament to what people can achieve when they’re pushed to their limits.
Standout Projects That Stole the Show
The creativity on display was mind-blowing. One team built an app that “bullies” you into productivity by calling your phone to yell at you (in a motivating way, of course). Another created a dating platform for career-driven singles, blending romance with ambition. The winning project, though, was pure genius: an AI-powered whiteboarding tool that let users draw using hand movements tracked by a webcam. It was sleek, innovative, and earned its creators a hefty prize.
- Second place: A fast-paced game pitting humans against AI, testing speed and wits.
- Third place: A “Netflix for corporate training” that made compliance videos engaging.
- Our project: Heirloom, a heartfelt tool for preserving family legacies.
What struck me most was how diverse the ideas were. Some teams went for humor, others for practicality, but every project reflected the unique personalities of its creators. It made me realize that innovation isn’t just about code—it’s about bringing your perspective to the table.
Lessons from the Front Lines
The hackathon wasn’t just about building an app; it was a crash course in collaboration, resilience, and the power of AI. Here are my biggest takeaways, distilled from 24 hours of organized chaos:
- Teamwork makes the dream work: A diverse team with complementary skills is unstoppable. My non-technical background didn’t hold us back—it added a layer of creativity to our project.
- AI levels the playing field: Tools like AI-assisted coding make it easier for non-coders to contribute meaningfully. Half the participants were hackathon newbies, yet some outshone seasoned engineers.
- Time is your frenemy: 24 hours sounds like a lot, but it flies by. Prioritizing tasks and staying focused is critical.
- Vibes matter: A positive team dynamic can carry you through the toughest moments. Laughter and shared snacks kept us going.
One participant, a seasoned developer, summed it up perfectly:
It’s like training for a startup. You focus, you build, and you learn by doing.
– A hackathon veteran
His words stuck with me. The hackathon felt like a microcosm of what it takes to launch a startup: vision, grit, and a willingness to embrace the chaos.
The AI Revolution: Why It Matters
Perhaps the most exciting part of the hackathon was seeing how AI is transforming the way we build. A few years ago, creating a functional app in 24 hours would’ve been a pipe dream for most. Now, with AI tools, even beginners can prototype something market-ready in record time. One organizer noted that participants who’d only recently learned to code were placing high in the rankings, thanks to these tools.
This shift has huge implications. Smaller teams—whether startups or corporate developers—can achieve more with less. But there’s a catch: staying relevant means staying current. As one participant put it:
If you’re not using AI tools daily, you’re at risk of being left behind.
– A hackathon coder
It’s a wake-up call. While AI makes coding more accessible, it also raises the bar. You still need to understand the logic behind the code and know how to troubleshoot. In my view, this blend of accessibility and expertise is what makes the tech world so exciting right now.
Reviving the Builder Spirit
The hackathon wasn’t just about building apps; it was about reigniting a sense of community. Organizers spoke passionately about bringing back the “soul” of hackathons—events where builders create for the love of it, not just for sponsors or clout. In recent years, some felt the scene had lost its spark, replaced by polished panels and empty hype. This event was different. It was raw, real, and all about the craft.
I saw this spirit firsthand. From the coder who slept 30 minutes on a lecture hall floor to the newbie who out-coded veterans, everyone was there to build something meaningful. It reminded me of why I love being around creative people—they don’t just dream; they do.
What’s Next for Me (and Maybe You)
The hackathon left me buzzing with ideas. I’m not ready to quit my day job and become a coder, but I’m hooked on the energy of collaboration and the possibilities of AI. Maybe I’ll dip my toes into learning some basic coding, or maybe I’ll just keep seeking out spaces where creativity and tech collide. Either way, I’ve learned that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to unexpected growth.
If you’re reading this and thinking about joining a hackathon, here’s my advice: do it. You don’t need to be a tech genius. Bring your ideas, your passion, and a willingness to learn. You might just surprise yourself.
| Skill Level | Role in Hackathon | Key Contribution |
| Non-technical | Ideation, storytelling | Vision and team morale |
| Beginner coder | Basic coding, testing | Prototyping support |
| Experienced coder | Core development | Technical execution |
The table above sums up how anyone can contribute, no matter their background. That’s the beauty of a hackathon—it’s a melting pot of skills and ideas, all coming together to create something bigger than the sum of its parts.
In my experience, the real win wasn’t the prizes or the projects (though those were awesome). It was the connections I made, the skills I picked up, and the realization that I could hold my own in a room full of coders. So, what’s stopping you from jumping into something new? Maybe your next big adventure is just a hackathon away.
