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Building Hackathons Canada: From Idea to 3,500+ Students

Building Hackathons Canada: From Idea to 3,500+ Students

The journey of creating Canada's largest hackathon community, raising $45,000+, and connecting thousands of brilliant minds across the country.

October 15, 2024
5 min read
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Building Hackathons Canada: From Idea to 3,500+ Students


When I first started Hackathons Canada, I had no idea it would grow into a community of over 3,500 students across Canada. What began as a simple idea to connect hackathon enthusiasts has become one of the most impactful projects I've ever worked on.


The Beginning


It all started when I noticed that Canadian students were scattered across different platforms, struggling to find hackathons and connect with like-minded peers. There was no central hub for the Canadian hackathon community.


Building the Platform


The technical challenge was creating a platform that could:

  • Handle thousands of users
  • Manage event registrations
  • Process payments for event fees
  • Create a sense of community

    • We built the platform using Next.js and TypeScript, ensuring it was fast, scalable, and user-friendly.


    The Impact


    Today, Hackathons Canada has:

  • **3,500+ active community members**
  • **$45,000+ raised** for tech events
  • **Dozens of successful events** hosted
  • **Partnerships** with major universities

    • Lessons Learned


    Building Hackathons Canada taught me:

  • The importance of community-first thinking
  • How to scale technical infrastructure
  • The power of connecting passionate people
  • How to manage large-scale events

    • What's Next


    We're continuing to grow the platform and exploring new ways to support the Canadian tech community. The future is bright for hackathons in Canada!