The Beginning

A group of high-achieving students came together with a vision: to put Windsor on the map for technological progress. Our solution? A hackathon.

But this proved to be difficult:

How COVID-19 Changed Everything

When I reflect on 2020, I don't just think about how we were rapidly adapting society for a global pandemic. I spent countless early days scrambling with my team, trying to figure out how to transform an in-person hackathon into a successful online event. We had already reserved the entire University of Windsor's Odette School of Business Building, arranged buses to bring participants from other cities, ordered hackathon swag, and so much more.

While the pandemic was certainly frightening, I didn't have time to dwell on fear. We refused to become Windsor's epicenter for the virus! We had one shot at this:

Creating a phenomenally successful online hackathon.

From In-Person to Online: The Platform Challenge

At the time, Slack was the standard communication platform for hackers and event organizers. Major League Hacking (MLH) sponsored hackathons like Hack the North relied on Slack to communicate event schedules, important announcements, food deliveries, and more. While Slack excelled at these basic communication needs, it lacked the engagement and interactivity necessary to sustain a fully online hackathon experience.

The transition to online formats revealed several unexpected advantages:

• Innovation Opportunity: We had the chance to pioneer something bold and groundbreaking
• Reduced Costs: Eliminating travel and accommodation expenses allowed us to reallocate budget toward premium prizes and experiences
• Enhanced Accessibility: Equal opportunity for anyone to participate or observe, regardless of location or physical limitations
• Permanent Resources: Workshops and presentations could be recorded for future reference
• Environmental Impact: Dramatically reduced carbon footprint

Having attended Hack the North and being impressed by its exceptional organization and engagement capabilities, I wondered: How could we translate that magic to an online experience?

Enter Discord: Our Game-Changing Platform

My team and I proposed Discord as our platform of choice. After careful consideration of both options, I was given the final decision between Discord and Slack. I chose Discord, leveraging my deep understanding of the platform and its unique capabilities that would prove crucial for our virtual event.

Building the WinHacks/BorderHacks Bot

I dove headfirst into developing a comprehensive solution to address our numerous challenges. The result was an automated bot capable of handling our most tedious and complex tasks. The scalable foundation I built for WinHacks would later transfer seamlessly to future hackathons, including BorderHacks.

Equipped with features like customized business card generation, comprehensive event management, automated team creation, and much more, we were simultaneously excited and nervous. After all, I had built this complex system with virtually no unit testing or edge case coverage!

I felt like I was wearing this shirt:

WinHacks Day: The Ultimate Test

The day arrived: a comprehensive bot system, an entirely new platform, hundreds of participants, and over $21,000 in prizes (including actual job opportunities!). We had made tremendous progress, but I'll never forget staying awake the entire weekend, constantly monitoring to ensure my bot wouldn't crash and derail everything.

What truly surprised us was our level of preparedness. Despite venturing into completely uncharted territory, we handled nearly every challenge with grace and professionalism. Aside from a few individuals attempting to disrupt the experience, our community remained kind and respectful, clearly appreciating the immense effort we had invested.

Our success metrics spoke for themselves:

• Flawless livestreams with professional-quality production
• Rock-solid bot performance (thank goodness for SQL Sequelize!)
• Dedicated judges who worked tirelessly to evaluate projects fairly
• Professional moderators who maintained integrity while respecting participants
• Engaging side activities, including a popular Minecraft server with coding challenges

The Results: Beyond Our Wildest Dreams

The event concluded as a resounding success! Over 600 hackers participated, job offers were extended, substantial prize money was awarded, and Windsor gained the technological recognition we had envisioned. More importantly, we established a foundation for future hackathons, earning acknowledgment from Major League Hacking and attracting sponsorships from some of the world's most prominent tech companies: Google, DigitalOcean, Linode, Telus, various universities, and many others.

Overcoming Challenges

The virtual format certainly presented its share of obstacles. Network connectivity issues, time zone coordination complexities, and the absence of organic in-person networking required innovative solutions. We tackled each challenge head-on, adapting and improvising as needed.

What touched us most was the participants' genuine appreciation for our efforts. Hackers were remarkably patient and understanding during occasional technical hiccups, recognizing the dedication we had poured into creating this groundbreaking experience.

Looking Forward: The Future of Hackathons

As the industry continues to evolve, many hackathons have embraced hybrid models that combine the strengths of both virtual and in-person experiences. This evolution has made the hackathon community more inclusive and accessible than ever before.

While the pandemic initially forced this transformation, the proven benefits demonstrate that virtual and hybrid hackathons represent the future—continuing to foster innovation and collaboration across global boundaries.

Personal Reflection

Having participated in both traditional and virtual hackathons, I've witnessed firsthand how this transition has democratized access to these incredible learning experiences. The ability to collaborate with talented individuals from around the world has enriched my own development journey immeasurably.

The experience taught me that sometimes the greatest innovations emerge from necessity, and that with creativity, determination, and the right technology, we can overcome seemingly impossible challenges to create something even better than what existed before.

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WinHacks Today

5 years later, our beloved hackathon is still kicking, with 2025 finally being in-person! Sharing some photos below :)