[parpfish]

I’ve never heard of a company encouraging their employees to participate in a hackathon that they sponsored. Are you thinking of internal “hack week” periods where employees get a chance to build something “for fun” at work?

[codr7]

Lucky you, I've experienced several variations on that theme in my own career.

Often sold as team building and way to level up in competence/skill, with an undertone of proving your loyalty to the company.