Hackathons at the AI Hub · Cologne & Düsseldorf

From idea to a working prototype in 48 hours.

At our hackathons, teams of developers, product people and founders build a working prototype in two days — with mentoring and a closing demo.

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48 hours build format110 participants · AI Coding Hackathon Spring 2026with Pirate Skills · Cologne

Past editions

Results from the last hackathons.

110

participants at the AI Coding Hackathon Spring 2026

teams at the May 2026 hackathon

48 h

from kick-off to demo, in Cologne

2018→

hackathon experience with a long edition history

Drezzl

Outfit matchmaker — winning project at the May 2026 hackathon.

PitchPerfectly

AI pitch coach — second winning team in May 2026.

Special prize: 8th grade

Among the prize winners was an eighth grader — participants range from school students to experienced engineers.

AI Hackathon Cologne: the winning project of a 14-year-old

A recap from the AI Coding Hackathon in Cologne — about Thimofej and his project.

Read the recap blog

How it works

How a hackathon runs.

Over two days, teams work in fixed phases: from the kick-off through build sessions with mentoring to the closing demo. What’s judged is the result you built, not the presentation.

Made for builders

Kick-off

Problem focus and MVP cut: what do you really concentrate on?

Build phases

Building with support, check-ins and sparring instead of going it alone.

Agentic & APIs

Agentic patterns, automation, prototyping — hands-on.

Demo & judging

Judging based on the prototypes you built.

Who it’s for

Who it fits.

◆ Developers, tech leads & AI engineers
◆ Automation and n8n builders
◆ Product owners & product managers
◆ Founders & innovation teams
◆ Teams that want to test an idea under real conditions

What you take away

What you take away.

◆ A working prototype
◆ Hands-on practice in AI-assisted development
◆ Contacts with builders, founders & innovation teams
◆ A sense of what’s currently possible with AI
◆ A way into other AI Hub formats

Outlook

Next edition: September 2026.

Next hackathon: September 2026

Date, team finding and registration run via the event overview.

See upcoming hackathons

Frequently asked

Good to know.

Do I have to be a developer?

Not necessarily. The format is especially strong for technical and product-minded people, but it also works for founders, product people and innovation teams — as long as there’s a clear build focus.

Is it about learning or competition?

The focus is on getting things done: reaching a working result in a short time, with mentoring and exchange within the team.

Where do I find the next date?

All upcoming hackathons are listed in the event overview. The next edition is planned for September 2026.

What happens after the hackathon?

The weekend doesn’t end with the last demo: good teams and ideas grow into meetups, the KI Campus and concrete projects.

Want to join the next hackathon?

You’ll find dates and registration in the event overview.

See upcoming hackathons Back to the AI Hub