Overview
Makeathon 2023 is Pinterest's annual internal hackathon where employees collaborate to develop innovative projects aimed at enhancing the company's products and culture. This year's event saw 326 participants from eight countries, resulting in 85 projects and 198 ideas, showcasing the company's commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration among its workforce.
What You'll Learn
1
How to leverage internal hackathons to foster innovation in your organization
2
Why collaboration across disciplines enhances project outcomes during hackathons
3
How to utilize feedback from leadership to improve future project proposals
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Basic understanding of project development and teamwork(optional)
Key Questions Answered
What are the key statistics from Makeathon 2023?
Makeathon 2023 featured 326 participants from eight countries, generated 198 ideas, and resulted in 85 projects. Additionally, there were 5728 votes from employees and over 2500 total attendees across various skill-building classes.
What is the Innovation Cycle at Pinterest?
The Innovation Cycle at Pinterest consists of three steps: Idea Factory, Makeathon, and Planning. This process ensures that ideas generated during the Makeathon are considered for implementation, allowing for a structured approach to innovation.
How does Makeathon contribute to employee development?
Makeathon provides an opportunity for employees to step outside their usual roles, collaborate with diverse teams, and develop new skills. This environment fosters creativity, confidence, and the ability to solve complex problems quickly.
What awards were given during Makeathon 2023?
Seven awards were granted at Makeathon 2023, including the Judges’ Choice Award, Crowd Favorite Award, and awards reflecting Pinterest's core values such as 'Put Pinners First' and 'Aim for Extraordinary'.
Key Statistics & Figures
Participants
326
Total number of participants from eight countries during Makeathon 2023.
Ideas Generated
198
Total ideas pitched by participants during the event.
Projects Developed
85
Total projects completed and showcased at Makeathon 2023.
Votes
5728
Total votes cast by employees on ideas during the event.
Skill-building Class Attendance
1500
Number of live attendees in a single skill-building class.
Total Class Attendance
2500
Total attendees across all skill-building classes during Makeathon.
Key Actionable Insights
1Encourage participation in internal hackathons to boost innovation and team morale.Hackathons like Makeathon allow employees to explore their ideas and collaborate with colleagues from different departments, leading to creative solutions that can enhance company products and culture.
2Implement a structured feedback process for project proposals post-hackathon.Providing transparent feedback from leadership helps project teams understand strengths and areas for improvement, which can enhance the quality of future submissions and increase the likelihood of project implementation.
3Host skill-building sessions to prepare employees for hackathon participation.Offering classes on relevant topics, such as Generative AI, can empower employees with the skills needed to turn their ideas into actionable projects, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to follow up on ideas generated during hackathons can lead to wasted potential.
Without a structured process to evaluate and implement ideas, many innovative concepts may never see the light of day, which can discourage future participation.