We're Looking for Speakers for the GDI Hackathon: Build Beyond 2026
You don't have to be a keynote veteran. You don't need a polished deck or a perfectly rehearsed talk. You just need something worth sharing — and the courage to share it.
That's exactly what this hackathon is about.
The GDI Hackathon: Build Beyond 2026 is built on a simple belief: that innovation starts with curiosity and courage, not credentials. And the same is true for our speakers. We're looking for people from all corners of the tech and tech-adjacent world who are ready to step up, show up, and help our community build beyond what they thought was possible.
Why We Need You Specifically
Here's something we know to be true at Girl Develop It: we learn best when we see ourselves in the people teaching us.
When a speaker walks into a room — or joins a virtual stage — and reflects back the experiences, identities, and journeys of the people in the audience, something shifts. The lesson lands differently. The "I could never do that" starts to sound a little more like "maybe I could."
That's the power of community-driven learning. It's not just about the information — it's about the messenger. When our participants see a speaker who started exactly where they are, or who navigated the same doubts, barriers, and imposter syndrome, it changes what feels possible.
So if you've ever thought "I'm not really an expert" or "who am I to speak on this?" — that's exactly the kind of person we're looking for.
What Could You Talk About?
There's no single mold for a GDI Hackathon speaker. Here are just a few directions you could take it:
Teach us something. A technical skill, a tool, a workflow, a framework — if it's helped you build better, we want to hear it. Bonus points for beginner-friendly breakdowns of things that feel intimidating from the outside.
Share your insights. What do you know now that you wish someone had told you earlier? What's the lesson that took you years to learn and five minutes to explain? Share it.
Tell your story. How did you get here? What did you build that didn't work — and what did you build next? The messy, non-linear paths are often the most valuable ones to hear about.
Inspire us to build beyond. Talk about a moment when you pushed past fear, scrapped the perfect plan, and built something anyway. Talk about what's possible when you stop waiting to be ready.
What to Expect as a Speaker
A virtual audience of curious, supportive learners, beginners and experienced builders alike
Flexible formats: workshops, panels, lightning talks, fireside chats, we'll work with you
A community that will genuinely appreciate what you bring
The chance to be part of something that changes how someone sees themselves in tech
The hackathon takes place the week of November 11, 2026. We're scheduling speakers across the event week, so we'll work with your availability.
How to Apply
Ready to build beyond the stage fright and join us?
Send a short note to Katie@girldevelopit.com with:
Your topic or idea — a sentence or two is plenty. It doesn't have to be fully formed.
Your availability the week of November 11 — even general availability helps (mornings, evenings, specific days, etc.)
That's it. No formal application. No long proposal. Just tell us what you've got and when you're free.
You Don't Have to Be Perfect. You Just Have to Show Up.
The theme of this year's hackathon isn't accidental. Build beyond fear. Build beyond perfection. Build beyond what you thought was possible. It's a reminder for our participants — and, honestly, for our speakers too.
Your story, your knowledge, and your presence matter. We'd love to have you on stage.
Send your speaker blurb to Katie@girldevelopit.com — we can't wait to hear from you.
The GDI Hackathon: Build Beyond 2026 takes place the week of November 11. It is a free, virtual event open to all. Girl Develop It is dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive space for women and non-binary adults learning tech — and everyone is welcome.