![Crypto Terms Glossary: What is Hackathon? Crypto Terms Glossary: What is Hackathon?](/img/186/665/what-is-hackathon-sm.webp)
A hackathon is a competitive and time-sensitive event held by a firm, consortium, or related entity (for example in the technology, FinTech, or blockchain industries). In these events, software engineers compete to produce working applications, software programs, or even entire computer networks. Hackathons often provide several distinct prize categories for winning participants, and tend to have a specific focus — such as on programming languages used, operating system type serviced, or the specific demographic of programmers involved. The name Hackathon is a portmanteau of hacking and marathon.