When I first started attending hackathons, I was always the one coding, building, and pitching. This year, for the first time, I got to experience the other side — as a judge at the CBIT Hacktoberfest Hackathon 2025.
It was an incredible 24-hour online event organized by the CBIT Open Source Community, celebrating open-source culture and collaboration as part of the global Hacktoberfest. The event gathered hundreds of students from universities across the world — developers, designers, and dreamers ready to learn, code, and share.
What the Event Was About
Hacktoberfest is all about celebrating open source, and this hackathon perfectly captured that spirit. The CBIT edition — now in its 8th year — encouraged participants to collaborate on innovative solutions using modern technologies while contributing to the open-source ecosystem.
Teams of 3–5 members worked virtually through Discord, tackling real-world challenges in just 24 hours. Despite the distance and time zones, the sense of connection and creativity was palpable.
The Judging Framework
Every project was evaluated based on a clear, balanced set of criteria (total: 50 points):
| Criterion | Points | What It Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation & Creativity | 10 | Original ideas and new approaches |
| Collaboration | 5 | Teamwork, communication, and shared contribution |
| Implementation | 20 | Technical soundness, scalability, and efficiency |
| Design | 5 | Usability and user experience |
| Presentation | 10 | Clarity, storytelling, and delivery |
As a judge, I was looking for that spark — projects that combined solid implementation with a clear purpose.
What I Saw and Learned
Some projects were technically ambitious, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in 24 hours. Others were beautifully simple, focusing on accessibility or social impact. A few used AI and automation in creative ways that genuinely surprised me.
But beyond the technology, what stood out was the teamwork. Many participants were strangers before the event — yet they managed to code, design, and present together like long-time collaborators. That’s the magic of hackathons.
The Judging Experience
Our panel included engineers and leaders from Electronic Arts, JP Morgan Chase, Oracle, Deliveroo, ServiceNow, EY, and more. Being part of such a diverse group gave every discussion depth. Each judge viewed “innovation” slightly differently — and that variety made our evaluations richer.
I appreciated the effort teams put into their presentations. Even short demos told full stories — from the problem statement to the final prototype. That’s where creativity met clarity.
Key Takeaways
- Innovation isn’t always about technology. Sometimes it’s about empathy — understanding who you’re helping and why.
- Good presentation matters. The best projects told their stories with confidence and focus.
- Community is everything. Open-source hackathons like this show how technology connects us beyond borders.
As a developer, I’ve always believed in continuous learning. Judging this event reaffirmed that growth happens in many forms — whether you’re writing code or evaluating it.
Why Hackathons Matter More Than Ever
In a world where remote collaboration is the new normal, hackathons remain one of the most human ways to innovate. They combine competition, creativity, and community into one shared experience. For students and professionals alike, they’re the perfect place to experiment and grow.
I’m grateful to have played a small role in this journey — to witness ideas take shape, to learn from participants, and to see firsthand how open source continues to inspire a new generation of builders.
Author:
Servin Osmanov
Lead Software Engineer @ Anvaya Solutions Inc.
Judge at CBIT Hacktoberfest Hackathon 2025
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