1. Research: Understand the theme of the hackathon and research relevant technologies and market trends.
2. Team Formation: Assemble a team with complementary skills to cover all aspects of the project, from coding to design to business strategy.
3. Plan Ahead: While you can't develop the project beforehand, having a rough plan can save valuable time during the event.
4. Practice Pitching: Often, the final presentation can make or break your chances of winning. Practice your pitch to ensure it is clear and compelling.