1st Place at Liftzone Ideacube Hackathon

A 30-Hour Coding Marathon That Led to Victory

A few weeks ago, my teammates Talha, Halit, and I participated in the Liftzone Ideacube Hackathon — an unforgettable experience where we pushed our limits and ended up winning 1st place after nearly 30 hours of nonstop development.

The Idea Behind Our Project

Our goal was to build an AI-powered platform that connects entrepreneurs with investors. The platform serves as a bridge where founders can pitch their ideas, and investors can discover promising projects that align with their interests and goals.

Tech Stack We Used

To bring our idea to life, we chose the following technologies:

• Next.js — A powerful React framework with built-in routing and performance benefits
• Tailwind CSS — For fast and flexible styling
• Firebase — Backend services like authentication and real-time database
• Gemini AI — Integrated for content generation and smart recommendations

How We Integrated AI

By integrating Gemini AI, we enhanced the platform with the following features:

• Auto-generated project descriptions based on user input
• Smart startup suggestions for investors based on their interests
• AI-powered matching and ranking of ideas

This helped both entrepreneurs and investors navigate the platform efficiently.

Live Demo & Code

For those who want to try it or dive into the code:

• Live Demo: hackathon-ideacube.vercel.app
• GitHub Repo: github.com/poyrazavsever/hackathon_ideacube

The Hackathon Process

Here’s a brief rundown of how we tackled the challenge:

• We quickly aligned on the idea and distributed responsibilities
• Design, frontend, and backend were developed in parallel
• Time management was key — we worked in focused cycles with short breaks
• Delivered a polished product and a clear, impactful final presentation

And in the end, our efforts were rewarded with first place.

What We Gained

Beyond the trophy, this hackathon gave us:

• A real-world understanding of how to ship a product under pressure
• Insight into effective teamwork and collaboration
• A chance to push our limits and grow as developers and builders

Final Thoughts

This experience proved that with the right team, idea, and determination, even the most ambitious goals are achievable.

Huge thanks to everyone who supported us along the way.
See you in the next build!