# Hackathon Kickoff Template

Purpose: Open a hackathon with rules, judging criteria, idea pitches, and team formation so every team can ship a demo by the deadline.

Duration: 90 minutes
Cadence: As needed
Participants: Organizers, judges, mentors, and all hackathon participants

## Agenda
- [ ] Welcome and theme (10 min) - challenge, why it matters, what success looks like
- [ ] Rules and logistics (15 min) - schedule, scope, tools, conduct, help
- [ ] Judging criteria (10 min) - impact, feasibility, originality, demo quality
- [ ] Idea pitches (20 min) - 60 seconds each, capture on a board
- [ ] Team formation (20 min) - self-organize into balanced teams
- [ ] Logistics and go (15 min) - submission format, demo slots, deadline

## Tips
- Publish judging criteria up front.
- Timebox idea pitches hard.
- Help orphaned participants find a team.
- Encourage scope cuts early.
- Make mentor and help channels obvious.

## Notes
- Theme or challenge: _______________________________________
- Judging criteria: _________________________________________
- Teams and ideas: __________________________________________
- Submission deadline: ______________________________________

Free template from OrgTP. Adapt or run it live at orgtp.com/templates/hackathon-kickoff-meeting