When the timer hit zero at the AI Code Connect 2025 Hackathon, Team 404 wasn’t celebrating a win, but they were smiling. After two sleepless nights, 18 hours of non-stop coding, countless discussions, and one working prototype, they had something far more valuable than a trophy: a set of lessons that would stay with them long after the hackathon ended.
The Challenge Behind the Code
Hackathons have a way of testing more than just technical skills. They reveal how people think, adapt, and connect under pressure. Team 404 entered the challenge with members from different practices – developers, a QA engineer, a project manager, a support engineer, and a front-end specialist – each bringing a unique perspective.
And while their project didn’t take home the prize, what they built together was proof that growth often hides in the moments that don’t make the headlines.
Meet the Team Who Found the Lessons
Maja Avramovikj, Developer (Microsoft Practice), and IWConnect’s Employee of the Month – June, says the hackathon taught her more about teamwork than any course could.
Even though we didn’t win, I’m proud of how we turned our concept into a working prototype under pressure. We learned how to work efficiently under tight deadlines — and even coded for 18 hours straight to make it happen.
Her words echo the spirit of adventurous growth — that progress isn’t always about perfection, but about pushing limits together. She reminds us that winning isn’t everything; the real value is in learning, growing, and enjoying the process while building something meaningful.
Konstandin Pachkov, Developer (Microsoft Practice) and Employee of the Month – September, adds that true innovation comes from openness.
We had to adapt quickly, stay persistent, and think creatively under pressure. Great results often come from collaboration and the willingness to explore unconventional solutions.
For him, the real achievement was the process — the conversations, the energy, and the moment when ideas finally clicked into something real. His takeaway is that even in tough conditions, stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new approaches can lead to accomplishments that matter, beyond just the final outcome.
Hristina Mitrovska, developer from the Front-End Practice, discovered the joy of learning on the fly.
When challenges arise, it’s not about pointing fingers but about finding solutions together. I’m most proud of how I adapted to new technologies — using Cursor IDE for the first time and building something that worked beautifully.
Her experience became a perfect example of how persistence and curiosity turn uncertainty into confidence. Hristina’s insight shows that embracing new tools and taking initiative can open doors for real-world growth, even beyond the hackathon.
Marija Trifunovska, from QA Practice, found inspiration in how differences shaped creativity.
We learned how much can be achieved when people with diverse skills and perspectives come together. Each challenge was a chance to adapt, learn, and grow as a team.
Her words remind us that sometimes, the best results come not from certainty — but from collective exploration. Marija emphasizes that collaboration, curiosity, and persistence are the real keys to innovation, and every challenge is an opportunity to expand your skills.
Valentina Petrovska, Project Manager, reflected on leadership and communication under pressure.
Even though we faced challenges and differing levels of commitment, we managed to deliver a functional version of our project. It taught me how powerful persistence and collaboration can be, even when circumstances aren’t ideal.
Through her lens, we see how unquestionable integrity and focus on people make progress possible. Valentina’s reflection is that every obstacle is a chance to learn, and success comes from embracing challenges while growing both individually and as a team.
Teodora Gonovska, from the Support Practice, joined her first hackathon and left with a new perspective.
I learned that the real victory isn’t in first place — it’s in showing up, learning, and pushing your limits. Every challenge helps you grow, and every attempt brings you one step closer to success.
Her insight sums up the heart of the story — that growth happens the moment we decide to participate, not when we win. Teodora’s conclusion is simple but powerful: the courage to try, learn, and persist is the foundation for real achievement, both personally and professionally.
Lessons Found
Every member of Team 404 walked away with a personal takeaway, but together they found something universal:
Growth comes from discomfort. Real progress begins when you step out of your comfort zone. It’s in the moments of uncertainty, when the path isn’t clear, that creativity sparks and skills are truly tested. Each late-night brainstorming session, each unfamiliar tool, and every unexpected obstacle pushed them further than they thought possible.
Teamwork builds more than projects. It builds trust, resilience, and connection. Collaboration is not just about dividing tasks — it’s about listening, adapting, and supporting one another even under pressure. The team discovered that a shared challenge can turn individual effort into a collective triumph, and that the bonds formed through collaboration often outlast any project deadline.
Persistence pays off. Every challenge is a lesson disguised as an obstacle. Setbacks weren’t failures; they were opportunities to learn faster, to iterate smarter, and to refine both ideas and skills. The long hours, the coding hurdles, and the technical surprises all became milestones in personal and professional growth.
Winning isn’t the only goal. Sometimes, the best reward is realizing how far you’ve come. Team 404 learned to celebrate the small victories — moments when an idea clicked, when a prototype functioned as intended, or when a teammate discovered a new strength. In the end, success was measured not by a trophy, but by the knowledge, confidence, and camaraderie they gained along the way.
The Code That Connects Us
At IWConnect, challenges like hackathons aren’t just competitions — they’re reminders of what brings people together: curiosity, courage, and collaboration.
Team 404’s story isn’t about losing a hackathon; it’s about discovering that when you work with integrity, learn continuously, and support one another, you’ve already won in the ways that matter most.
