Hackathons
Hackathons are long, technical, and full of moving parts. We host the full run of show, with attention to the transitions and quieter stretches where audience energy needs the most support.
Event Hosting · MC · Moderation
Play By Ear provides MCing, hosting, and moderation for AI hackathons, demo days, conference panels, and live tech programming worldwide. We are built for high-energy, multi-hour formats that require both technical fluency and the presence to hold an audience throughout.
Formats
Some events need more than a speaker intro. They need someone who can read the room, connect the dots, keep the timing sane, and make the whole program feel intentional.
Hackathons are long, technical, and full of moving parts. We host the full run of show, with attention to the transitions and quieter stretches where audience energy needs the most support.
Demo days are won and lost on pacing. Our role is to set up each presenter cleanly, hold the program across consecutive demos, and manage the framing around founder pitches, sponsor moments, and judging.
Strong panel moderation depends on real preparation and active listening. We come in researched, ready to follow threads, redirect when needed, and surface the substance of the conversation in real time.
Smaller events depend more on tone than program. We work with VC offices, founder communities, and product teams to host gatherings calibrated to the audience and the occasion.
Voices · Play By Ear x Tokens& × Creators Corner
"Genuinely one of the best hackathons I've been part of. Fantastic anchoring and leading throughout, handling hundreds of participant questions effortlessly."
— Saurabh Yergattikar, Member of Technical Staff at eBay
"The energy in the room was a great reminder of how fast you can turn a napkin sketch into a working prototype when you're surrounded by the right people."
— Trishan Koyedi, Grad Student at University of Maryland
"Hosting and leading a truly builder-first hackathon."
— Lynn Duan, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Composio
"Incredibly well executed. The NYC tech community really showed up for this one."
— Taruni Reddy Ampojwala, AI Solutions Engineer at PamTen Inc
Tell me what you're planning, who will be in the room, and what kind of energy the event needs.
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