MVP & RD Impact at the 2025 Microsoft Global Hackathon
Produced by The Garage, the Microsoft Global Hackathon is the largest private hackathon on the planet. Since its launch in 2014, it has grown into a company-wide, multi-day event that empowers employees, interns, and invited guests to innovate across disciplines, roles, and geographies. With over 73,000+ participants this year and thousands of projects annually, the Hackathon fosters a culture of experimentation, inclusion, and bold thinking. This year’s Global Hackathon took place during the week of September 15 and was more than just a coding event — it was a global celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community. Almost one hundred MVPs and RDs joined forces with employees and innovators from around the world to tackle challenges that matter — from reimagining customer support to shaping the future of AI. Global Collaboration — Local Impact MVPs and RDs from every corner of the globe participated virtually, forming diverse, cross-functional teams that reflected the depth and breadth of Microsoft’s global community. Whether launching new ideas or joining existing projects, these community leaders brought fresh perspectives, deep technical expertise, and a passion for impact. “We’re thrilled to see MVPs and RDs driving meaningful collaboration across Microsoft. Their energy and expertise elevate the Hackathon experience for everyone involved.” — Alice Piras, Microsoft MVP Program Engagement Lead. Innovation in Action MVP- and RD-led or supported projects spanned a wide range of themes — each aligned with real-world challenges. Some were even recognized with awards for their ingenuity and impact. Here are just a few general examples: Customer Service Innovation: Projects explored how AI agents could assist customer support teams by retrieving information, managing documents, and streamlining workflows. Financial Services Transformation: Hackathon teams developed solutions to simplify complex processes like insurance claims and policy management using intelligent automation. Security & Compliance: Participants experimented with proactive security assessments and AI-powered frameworks to help organizations strengthen their digital posture. Sustainability & IoT: Several teams focused on environmental optimization, using data and AI analytics to improve system performance in areas like aquaponics and smart farming. Digital Identity & Inclusion: Community-led projects addressed secure onboarding and compliance challenges, with a focus on accessibility and user experience. These projects exemplify not only technical excellence but also a commitment to inclusive innovation and community-driven problem solving. Voices from the Community “Hackathon wasn’t just about building, but about creating something that could make an impact — and agentic retrieval made that possible for us.” — Shrushti Shah, MVP “It was an incredible experience collaborating with three MVPs from across the globe on a shared mission for this Hackathon. We didn’t just work together — we learned together, exchanging diverse perspectives to create something amazing in just three days.” — Maya Stewart, Microsoft, Sr. Product Manager "My Global Hackathon experience this year was nothing short of amazing! I decided to work on two projects: one where I made major contributions to an open-source project I’ve long been interested in — and another where I saw firsthand how GitHub Copilot excels at boosting productivity. Overall, I’m still energized after the Hackathon and deeply appreciate the collaborative spirit of working with fellow MVPs and Microsoft employees to achieve shared goals." — Jeremy Sinclair, MVP “It was inspiring to see how diverse backgrounds and ideas came together to build something meaningful. The culture of openness and support made this Hackathon one of the best experiences I’ve had.” — Thomas Schissler, MVP “The Garage Hackathon team engaged with the MVP/RD team again this year to invite Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals and Regional Directors to participate as hackers and advisors in the global event. The industry experts and influencers brought their knowledge and insights about Microsoft products — adding value to hacking teams from across the company.” — Susie Kandzor, Microsoft, Sr. Director of Hacking. Building Bridges Across Microsoft Beyond the code, the Hackathon was a powerful networking catalyst. MVPs and RDs expanded their circles of collaborators, mentors, and speakers — building bridges across product groups, engineering teams, and regional communities. “I’m incredibly grateful to our MVPs and RDs for their energy and contributions during this year’s Hackathon. Their technical depth and collaborative spirit made a real impact — and I’m excited to see how we can make next year’s experience even bigger and better.” — Justin Garrett, Microsoft, MVP Program Principal Program Manager. Inspired by Their Stories? MVPs and RDs are at the heart of Microsoft’s global community — driving innovation, mentoring others, and building solutions that make a difference. Want to learn more about the MVP Program or nominate someone who’s making an impact? Check out the MVP Communities site. Follow us on social media on X and LinkedIn. Learn More Take a peek at the history behind the Microsoft Hackathon — where thousands of innovators from around the world unite to turn bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs.Microsoft Global Hackathon 2025: MVPs Driving Innovation Across Communities
The countdown is on! The Microsoft Global Hackathon is back the week of September 15, 2025, bringing together thousands of Microsoft employees and select external contributors to dream big, team up, and build solutions that make a difference. Hosted by The Microsoft Garage, this multi-day gathering is the largest private hackathon in the world - a place where creativity, curiosity, and community collide. A Movement Born in 2014 When Satya Nadella launched the first Microsoft Hackathon in 2014, the goal was simple: spark innovation and inspire cultural transformation. Fast-forward to today, and it’s become a global movement. In 2024, more than 71,000 people participated across 75+ venues worldwide - spanning every role, team, and geography at Microsoft. The energy was contagious, and the projects tackled challenges in AI, sustainability, accessibility, and developer tools. MVPs and RDs Making Their Mark Last year, Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) and Regional Directors (RDs) joined virtually, bringing their expertise and community connections into the mix, collaborating with employees, mentored teams, and even took time off from work to fully immerse themselves in the event. Projects ranged from reimagining education and improving transportation to advancing responsible AI, supporting healthcare innovations, and championing diversity and inclusion. “We find that MVPs and RDs bring meaningful perspectives and experiences to Hackathon, and this diversity can enhance the outcomes for project teams.” – Susie Kandzor, Senior Director of Hacking. Stories from the Front Lines In 2024, several MVPs were publicly recognized for their impactful contributions: Lesley Crook led a project exploring HR onboarding experiences using Viva, Mesh, AI, and Copilot, while Jeremy Sinclair described his collaboration with Microsoft employees as “exhilarating,” highlighting the value of cross-functional teamwork. These stories reflect Microsoft’s commitment to celebrating MVP impact and fostering inclusive, community-driven innovation. How You Can Join the Story Even if you’re not an MVP, you can still be part of the movement: Learn more about the MVP Program and its role in the Microsoft ecosystem. Watch the MVP Program video for inspiration. Curious about becoming an MVP? Check out the FAQs to see how to apply. Innovation Starts Here The Microsoft Global Hackathon isn’t just an event - it’s proof that grassroots innovation can change the way we work, live, and connect. Whether you’re joining in this year or simply cheering from the sidelines, we invite you to follow along, share your thoughts, and celebrate the people who make it possible. What’s your MVP story? Drop it in the comments or tag us on social media. Let’s inspire the next wave of innovators and community leaders!
Ignite Series: Get Set for 2018’s Ultimate Tech Conference
First published on MSDN on Sep 05, 2018 Microsoft Ignite 2018 is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited! Hailed as Microsoft’s largest tech event, it is the perfect opportunity for MVPs and RDs to network and learn directly from technology leaders and practitioners shaping the future of cloud, data, business intelligence, teamwork, and productivity.
