1. Hackathons
+
Developer Evangelism
+
SendGrid
Night,
2nd
Edition
You
Feb
24,
2104
What’s
in
it
for
the
developers?

2. Kon’nichiwa!
I’m
Tim
=)
Director,
Developer
Relations
@timfalls
tf@sendgrid.com

3. Developer Relations at SendGrid
11 People
•
8 Evangelists
•
•
1 Hacker in Residence
•
•
LA, SF, Denver, NYC, London, Saõ Paulo
Anaheim, CA
2 Directors - Dev Relations and Dev Communications
•
SF, Portland, OR.
Hackathons
•
•
300 events in 2013 (hackathons, etc)
8 hackathons Feb 22-23, 2014
3

4. The next 10 minutes
•
Why should developers participate in hackathons?
•
What is developer evangelism?
•
How can developers leverage hackathons and
developer evangelists for self-improvement?
4

5. Why
Hackathons?
• To
learn
&
teach
• To
solve
problems
• To
create
something
new
To
be
part
of
the
community
• To
meet
like-­‐minded
people
• To
build,
because
building
is
fun
and
rewarding
• To
gain
the
respect
of
peers,
through
creative
expression
• To
collaboratively
push
the
limits
of
technology
as
we
know
it
today
5

6. What is a Developer Evangelist?
A
developer
at
heart
A
love
for
helping
others
Your
friend
Expert
in
his/her
company’s
technology
Knowledgable
in
many
other
technologies
6

7. Leveraging hackathons
• Choose
wisely
• follow
your
interests
• balance
work
/
play
• avoid
speculative
work
Have
FUN!
• Explore
• Leave
your
comfort
zone,
try
something
new
• Solve
a
problem
that’s
been
bothering
you
• With
friends
or
on
your
own
• It’s
not
a
STARTUPathon;
it’s
a
HACKathon
• !=
fame,
glory,
riches
7

8. Leveraging Evangelists
• Learn
from
them
• Ask
Q’s,
seek
their
help,
don’t
be
shy
• Technology,
Product,
Marketing,
Business
Development
!
• Teach
them
• Share
knowledge
&
expertise
!
• Explore
new
career
opportunities
• learn
about
evangelism
• discover
positions
at
their
companies
!
• Get
connected
• fellow
developers
&
entrepreneurs,
global
community
leaders
• mentors,
advisors,
investors,
customers,
partners
8

9. Summary / Conclusion
•
Hackathons are good for developers and API companies
alike, when everyone keeps in mind the common good of the
community
•
Developer Evangelists exist to make developers lives better
and their jobs easier. Don t be shy, take advantage of their
willingness to help.
•
YOU are a critical piece of the puzzle; as you contribute
value to the community, you and your peers will reap the
benefits
9

10. Arigatō!