An internal hackathon is a time-boxed event where employees across departments — not just developers — come together to solve real problems using creative tech solutions. Unlike public hackathons, these are held within a company and often focus on practical use cases like improving internal tools, streamlining workflows, or creating new product features.
It's not just about coding — it’s about innovation, teamwork, and thinking differently.
Companies like Zoho, Freshworks, TCS, and HCL run internal hackathons multiple times a year. But why?
Many successful product ideas started at internal hackathons and later became mainstream offerings.
These events don’t just test technical skills — they reveal:
A UI designer, a backend developer, and a QA tester might end up creating a working prototype in 24 hours — something that might normally take weeks.
Here’s how some Indian IT companies use hackathons internally:
These are not “just events” — they feed directly into product pipelines and performance reviews.
For many, it’s a break from routine and a platform to shine.
But companies are learning and adapting — using pre-hackathon briefings, flexible formats, and mentorship to get the best results.
Have you ever taken part in a hackathon — in college or at work?
Do you think such events actually lead to meaningful innovation?
Share your experiences or opinions below
It's not just about coding — it’s about innovation, teamwork, and thinking differently.
Why Are IT Firms Investing in This?
Companies like Zoho, Freshworks, TCS, and HCL run internal hackathons multiple times a year. But why?
- To encourage fresh ideas from their own employees
- To find undiscovered talent within their teams
- To boost employee engagement
- To rapidly test ideas that could become real products
- To promote a culture of problem-solving and ownership
Many successful product ideas started at internal hackathons and later became mainstream offerings.
A Different Kind of Skill Show
These events don’t just test technical skills — they reveal:
- Who can work under time pressure
- How teams handle unexpected issues
- Who shows leadership naturally
- Which departments can collaborate best
A UI designer, a backend developer, and a QA tester might end up creating a working prototype in 24 hours — something that might normally take weeks.
Real-World Examples
Here’s how some Indian IT companies use hackathons internally:
- Zoho Corp encourages engineers to build tools to solve internal challenges. Some of these later become public SaaS products.
- Freshworks uses them to develop new ideas for CRM and helpdesk features, often involving non-tech staff in ideation.
- TCS hosts CodeVita and other internal contests to identify top coders and future project leads.
These are not “just events” — they feed directly into product pipelines and performance reviews.
Why Employees Love It
- Freedom to experiment without pressure of failure
- Opportunity to collaborate outside their usual teams
- Recognition from leadership for creative thinking
- Chance to influence real product decisions
- Often includes rewards, promotions, or visibility
For many, it’s a break from routine and a platform to shine.
Challenges Faced
- Not everyone is comfortable in a fast-paced format
- Some great ideas don’t get follow-up support
- Teams may get competitive instead of collaborative
- Time zones in remote teams can be a barrier
But companies are learning and adapting — using pre-hackathon briefings, flexible formats, and mentorship to get the best results.
Let’s Talk:
Have you ever taken part in a hackathon — in college or at work?
Do you think such events actually lead to meaningful innovation?
Share your experiences or opinions below
