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OSS - Beirut Hackathon

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Join Lebanon's largest remote hackathon to create impactful solutions!

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- The OSS - Beirut Hackathon invites participants to build impactful solutions for Lebanon's challenges in a 48-hour remote event. - Registration is free and open to anyone interested, with support from mentors and tools provided by sponsors. - Winning projects will be showcased, and participants retain full ownership of their work.

Persona

1. Software Developers 2. Designers 3. Social Entrepreneurs

Evaluating Idea

📛 Title Format: The "impact-driven hackathon" software community event 🏷️ Tags 👥 Team: Developers, designers, product managers 🎓 Domain Expertise Required: None required, but tech familiarity is a plus 📏 Scale: Local to global 📊 Venture Scale: High potential for impactful solutions 🌍 Market: Lebanon-focused, but with diaspora engagement 🌐 Global Potential: Yes, remote participation ⏱ Timing: Urgent due to socio-economic challenges 🧾 Regulatory Tailwind: Minimal 📈 Emerging Trend: Increased interest in hackathons and community-driven solutions 🚀 Intro Paragraph HACK LEB 2025 is Lebanon’s largest hackathon aimed at mobilizing talent to build solutions addressing pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. With no fees to enter and a remote format, it enables wide participation and creativity among Lebanese individuals worldwide. 🔍 Search Trend Section Keyword: "Lebanon Hackathon" Volume: 3.2K Growth: +250% 📊 Opportunity Scores Opportunity: 9/10 Problem: 8/10 Feasibility: 7/10 Why Now: 10/10 💵 Business Fit (Scorecard) Category Answer 💰 Revenue Potential: $500K–$2M from sponsorships and partnerships 🔧 Execution Difficulty: 4/10 – Moderate complexity 🚀 Go-To-Market: 8/10 – Social media and community outreach ⏱ Why Now? The ongoing socio-economic instability in Lebanon creates an urgent need for innovative solutions, making this hackathon a timely opportunity for action. ✅ Proof & Signals - Increased discussions on social media about community initiatives - Growth in participation in similar global hackathons - Engagement from local tech networks and diaspora 🧩 The Market Gap Lebanon has an active tech community but lacks platforms for collaborative problem-solving. Current solutions are often fragmented, and there's a strong desire among the youth to engage in meaningful projects that can lead to positive change. 🎯 Target Persona Demographics: Young adults (18-35), tech-savvy, socially aware How they discover & buy: Social media, community forums Emotional vs rational drivers: Desire to contribute to societal change Solo vs team buyer: Primarily team-oriented 💡 Solution The Idea: A hackathon that brings together diverse talents to create solutions for Lebanon's pressing challenges. How It Works: Participants register online, form teams, and build projects over 48 hours, leveraging mentorship and tools provided by sponsors. Go-To-Market Strategy: Utilize social media, community platforms, and partnerships with local organizations to attract participants. Business Model: - Sponsorships - Merchandise - Potential future licensing of software solutions developed during the event Startup Costs: Medium Break down: Product (tech stack for event), Team (organizers and mentors), GTM (marketing efforts), Legal (event compliance) 🆚 Competition & Differentiation List 2–5 competitors: 1. Global hackathons (e.g., HackMIT) 2. Local tech meetups 3. Online coding competitions Rate intensity: Medium 2–3 core differentiators: - Focus on Lebanese solutions - Remote format allows global participation - Community-driven with no entry fee ⚠️ Execution & Risk Time to market: Fast Risk areas: Technical (platform stability), Trust (community buy-in), Distribution (participant engagement) Critical assumptions to validate first: Sufficient interest and participation from the Lebanese community 💰 Monetization Potential Rate: Medium Why: Revenue from sponsors and potential future partnerships 🧠 Founder Fit The founders should have strong ties to the Lebanese community, experience in organizing events, and a network within the tech industry. 🧭 Exit Strategy & Growth Vision Likely exits: Partnerships with NGOs, potential acquisition by tech incubators Potential acquirers: Local tech companies, NGOs interested in community development 3–5 year vision: Expand to a series of hackathons focusing on different themes, establishing a yearly tradition. 📈 Execution Plan (3–5 steps) 1. Launch registration via social media and community platforms. 2. Engage local influencers to drive awareness. 3. Foster team formation through online forums. 4. Provide mentorship sessions during the hackathon. 5. Showcase projects to sponsors and potential investors post-event. 🛍️ Offer Breakdown 🧪 Lead Magnet – Free registration and access to tools 💬 Frontend Offer – Participation in hackathon 📘 Core Offer – Networking opportunities and mentorship 🧠 Backend Offer – Potential funding for startups that emerge from hackathon projects 📦 Categorization Field Value Type Event Market B2C / Community-focused Target Audience Developers, designers, students Main Competitor Global hackathons Trend Summary Community-driven innovation in response to crisis 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community Signals Platform Detail Score Reddit Active subreddits on Lebanese tech • 3.5M+ members 9/10 Facebook Multiple groups focused on Lebanese diaspora and tech 8/10 YouTube Several creators covering Lebanese culture and tech 7/10 🔎 Top Keywords Type Keyword Volume Competition Fastest Growing Lebanon innovation 1.2K LOW Highest Volume Lebanon hackathon 3.2K MED 🧠 Framework Fit (4 Models) The Value Equation Score: Excellent Market Matrix Quadrant: Category King A.C.P. Audience: 9/10 Community: 8/10 Product: 9/10 The Value Ladder Diagram: Bait → Frontend → Core → Backend ❓ Quick Answers (FAQ) What problem does this solve? Empowers Lebanese individuals to create solutions for socio-economic challenges. How big is the market? Potentially millions, considering the Lebanese diaspora and local tech talent. What’s the monetization plan? Sponsorships, merchandise, and licensing opportunities. Who are the competitors? Global hackathons and local tech events. How hard is this to build? Moderate; requires good organization and community engagement. 📈 Idea Scorecard (Optional) Factor Score Market Size 8 Trendiness 9 Competitive Intensity 6 Time to Market 8 Monetization Potential 7 Founder Fit 9 Execution Feasibility 7 Differentiation 8 Total (out of 40) 62 🧾 Notes & Final Thoughts This is a “now or never” bet due to pressing needs in Lebanon. It has the potential to be a strong community builder and innovation driver. Key areas of fragility include participant engagement and technical execution. Consider expanding the concept to other regional challenges in the future.

User Journey

### User Journey Map for OSS - Beirut Hackathon 1. Awareness - Trigger: Social media posts and word of mouth about the hackathon. - Action: Users come across promotional content and discussions highlighting the hackathon's purpose and potential impact. - UI/UX Touchpoint: Engaging social media graphics and targeted ads that emphasize the hackathon's benefits. - Emotional State: Curiosity and excitement about participating in a meaningful event. 2. Onboarding - Trigger: User clicks on the registration link after hearing about the hackathon. - Action: User fills out the registration form with personal details. - UI/UX Touchpoint: A simple, honest, and user-friendly registration form that encourages authenticity. - Emotional State: Optimism and slight apprehension about the commitment. 3. First Win - Trigger: Registration confirmation email received. - Action: Users read the email detailing next steps and access to resources. - UI/UX Touchpoint: Clear and informative confirmation email with links to resources and community groups. - Emotional State: Relief and motivation as they feel part of a community with shared goals. 4. Deep Engagement - Trigger: Start of the hackathon with live Q&A and team formation. - Action: Users participate in discussions and brainstorming sessions, forming teams. - UI/UX Touchpoint: Use of platforms like Discord for communication and collaboration. - Emotional State: Enthusiasm and collaboration as users engage with mentors and peers. 5. Retention - Trigger: Progress updates and encouragement from mentors during the hackathon. - Action: Users actively work on their projects, leveraging feedback and resources. - UI/UX Touchpoint: Regular check-ins and motivational messages through the platform. - Emotional State: Empowerment and determination as users see their projects taking shape. 6. Advocacy - Trigger: Completion of the hackathon and announcement of winners. - Action: Users share their experiences and projects on social media and within their networks. - UI/UX Touchpoint: Post-event follow-up emails and social media shout-outs for participants. - Emotional State: Pride and accomplishment as users advocate for the hackathon and their contributions. ### Critical Moments - Delight: Receiving the registration confirmation creates a sense of belonging. - Drop-off: Complicated onboarding processes may lead to frustration, causing potential participants to abandon registration. ### Retention Hooks & Habit Loops - Retention Hooks: Regular updates and community engagement through Discord can keep users involved. - Habit Loops: Encouraging users to check in regularly for updates, resources, and community interactions can foster a habit of engagement. ### Emotional Arc Summary 1. Curiosity: Initial interest in the hackathon. 2. Optimism: Positive feelings during the onboarding process. 3. Relief: Confirmation and integration into the community. 4. Enthusiasm: High engagement during the hackathon. 5. Pride: Final reflection and sharing of achievements.