May 05, 2026

Why developer collaboration no longer stops at hackathons

Daniel Flores

Head of Global Product at Getnet.

For years, developer collaboration was slow and fragmented. Developers relied on Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels, mailing lists and forums, where they asked questions or shared problems and waited hours, or even days, for a response.

This meant that progress was limited.

Hackathons changed this dynamic. For a couple of days every few months, they offered coders, designers and product thinkers the opportunity for real-time collaboration, where they could build, test and refine ideas together. During these weekends, momentum was high and feedback instant.

But hackathons have limitations – when the timer ends, so does the teamwork.

Today, thanks to the development of online global networks, developers no longer need to wait for events like these to collaborate in real-time.

The rise of always-on developer communities

Today, collaboration isn’t limited to a specific time or place. Always-on developer platforms are effectively becoming continuous hackathons – spaces where developers can share knowledge and solve problems at any time, from anywhere.

With real-time chat platforms and global participation, developers no longer need to wait for a scheduled event to make progress. Whether they’re exploring a new idea or working on the finishing touches, they can tap into a global network of peers instantly for support.

This means the pace and energy once reserved for hackathons can now exist every day. Across time zones and borders, developers connect through real-time chat spaces like Reddit and Discord, answering questions and building on each other’s work.

Work doesn’t pause when one developer logs off. Others pick up the idea, refine it and move it forward.

AI as an accelerator

AI is playing a central role in this evolution. Developers are no longer collaborating only with each other. They are also working with intelligent tools that can generate code, suggest improvements and identify issues instantly.

This removes friction from the development process. Tasks like debugging, testing and iteration happen faster than ever, allowing developers to focus on building and problem-solving.

With AI insight and instant access to community input, the time it takes for an idea to go from concept to working prototype is significantly reduced

Building without borders

The increase of online developer groups removes previous barriers.

Developers are no longer limited by geography, time or access to expertise. A project can begin in one market, evolve in another and scale globally, all within one connected, continuous environment.

For example, a payments solution might begin as an idea from a product team in São Paulo, be shaped into a working concept by a developer in Madrid, with the support of AI platforms, and then prototyped by a team of engineers in Singapore, before being rolled out globally.

Why this matters for payments

Building modern payment experiences is increasingly complex. It involves navigating compliance, performance, user experience and integration across multiple systems. No single developer or team is able to master every aspect alone.

And online developer communities mean they don’t have to.

They have immediate access to knowledge, proven integration patterns and collective problem-solving with just a few taps on the keyboard. Developers can build on existing APIs and SDKs, resolve issues faster and accelerate time to market.

Together, global communities and AI create a multiplier effect, where innovation scales quickly and improvements benefit the whole payments ecosystem.

Getnet’s Get Code

At Getnet, we see this development as fundamental to the future of payments.

That’s why we created Get Code: a developer community designed to support continuous collaboration, learning and innovation.

Get Code brings together developers, partners and payment specialists in a space where ideas can be built, tested and scaled.

Developers who join can access hackathons and other challenges to refine their skills, explore business opportunities within digital payments, build real-world solutions and grow their network across various industries and geographies.

It also combines the accessibility of an always-on digital community with the energy of in-person engagement.

Through Get Code, Getnet regularly hosts in-person meet ups so developers can explore the technologies shaping the future of payments. These in-person events feature a variety of payment companies who can share strategic insights into how the industry is evolving, with no two events the same.

Get Code is part of Getnet’s ongoing commitment to foster innovation with the developer ecosystem. Creating a space where talent, creativity and technology can meet, ensures that developers can move faster, solve more complex problems and create solutions with real-world impact.

Get Code marks a significant step in Getnet’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the global tech ecosystem and to position itself as a key enabler of digital transformation in financial services. As the payments landscape continues to evolve, enabling this kind of connected, continuous innovation is crucial – not just for developers, but for the businesses and customers they serve.