How to be a BioBooster! Hackathon Handbook

The BioBoosters network offers a challenge-driven hackathon concept with proven business impact and international reach. The hackathon helps to drive business transition and address sectoral challenges by:

• Bridging business with academia and research.
• Connecting cross-sectoral and international experts.
• Unboxing out-of-the-box ideas.
• Initiating innovation partnerships.

This handbook provides a step-by-step guide for organising a hackathon and planning the communication
tasks related to the hackathon. To give targeted advice, it is divided into an Organisers’ Guide and a Communicator’s Guide.

The handbook can be used for

• Training and initiating a new hackathon organiser or organising team member. It offers step-by-step guidance on organising a hackathon, addressing common concerns and providing advice on risk management. In addition, it shares best practices for creating added value for participants and making the most of your time together.
• Explaining and visualising the process, as well as the organisers’ role and contribution, to support
  resourcing. It details the hackathon process and the tasks involved for organisers at each step. A clear account
  of the organiser’s contribution and role can be used for planning resourcing and outlining the responsibilities of co-organisers.
• Inspiration for developing impactful open innovation processes and events. It offers insights and lessons from an exceptionally extensive piloting programme carried out through international co-operation. Feel free to apply this know-how to the development of impactful open innovation processes that support industry transition and facilitate the initiation of innovation partnerships.