If you don't have friends that can be your cofounders, these events really are the next best thing. You can immediately see who is interesting, who works hard, and who just talks a lot.
Interesting article. I've heard of future partners meeting during Startup weekends, and this seems like another great place for new ideas and like-minded individuals.
Gotta say that you really get to know whether you want to work with someone after going through a hackathon with them. Would be a great standard interview process!
