Smart Make-A-Thon 2025

Overview

Smart Make-A-Thon 2025 was my own hackathon—I organized it, hosted it, and built the entire website from scratch. It was a 24-hour event aimed at bringing together innovators, developers, and creators to build groundbreaking projects.

While I didn't learn groundbreaking technical skills from this project, I spent a great time implementing the website and managing all the moving parts of organizing a hackathon. It was more about execution and bringing an idea to life than pushing technical boundaries.

Why I Did This

I wanted to experience what it's like to organize a hackathon from the ground up:

• Handle registrations and participant management
• Coordinate with sponsors and partners
• Build a professional-looking event website
• Manage timelines, prizes, and event logistics

It was a lot of work, but seeing everything come together—from the website to the actual event—was incredibly rewarding.

What I Built

Complete Event Website

Built the entire platform from scratch using Next.js. The website included:

• Registration system: Multi-step forms with validation for participant sign-ups
• Sponsor showcase: Dedicated sections highlighting all sponsors and partners
• Event information: Tracks, timeline, prizes, rules, and FAQs
• Dynamic content: Live countdown timer and event updates

Registration Management

Implemented a robust registration flow using React Hook Form and Zod for validation. Participants could:

• Register as individuals or teams
• Select their preferred tracks
• Submit project ideas
• Receive confirmation emails

Partner & Sponsor Integration

Created dedicated sections to showcase:

• Event sponsors with their logos and descriptions
• Community partners and collaborators
• Media partners and supporters

This was crucial for maintaining good relationships and giving sponsors the visibility they deserved.

Design Philosophy

I went for a futuristic, dark-themed aesthetic to match the innovation theme:

• Space/globe motif representing global impact
• Smooth animations and transitions with Framer Motion
• Clean, organized information architecture
• Mobile-responsive design for accessibility

The goal was to make it look professional and exciting—something that would attract participants and impress sponsors.

Tech Stack

• Next.js 14: For the application framework and SEO optimization
• TypeScript: Type safety across the entire codebase
• Tailwind CSS: Rapid styling and responsive design
• Framer Motion: Smooth animations and interactive elements
• React Hook Form: Form handling and validation
• Zod: Schema validation for registration data

The Organizational Side

Building the website was just one part. Organizing the hackathon involved:

• Coordinating with sponsors: Reaching out, negotiating packages, and delivering on promises
• Managing registrations: Handling 1000+ participant sign-ups
• Event logistics: Venue, food, prizes, judging criteria
• Marketing: Social media promotion, posters, outreach

It was a crash course in event management, and honestly, the non-technical work was just as challenging as the coding.

What I Learned

This project taught me more about execution and project management than technical skills:

• Shipping matters: Building something that actually serves a real purpose
• Coordination is hard: Managing multiple stakeholders (sponsors, participants, team members)
• Attention to detail: Small things like clear instructions and timely updates make a huge difference
• Time management: Balancing website development with event planning

The Experience

While I didn't learn cutting-edge technical concepts, I spent a great time implementing the website and seeing it all come together. There's something satisfying about building a platform that serves a real event and watching people actually use it.

The hackathon went live, participants registered through the site, sponsors were showcased, and the event happened. That's a win in my book.

Reflections

Not every project needs to be a technical deep dive. Sometimes the value is in:

• Execution: Actually finishing and shipping something
• Real-world impact: Building for a real event with real users
• Organizational skills: Learning to manage complexity beyond code

Smart Make-A-Thon was one of those projects—less about innovation, more about making things happen. And honestly, that's a valuable skill in itself.