Build with AI.
In 48 hours.
One weekend, one team, one prototype that runs by Sunday. With agentic coding, no-code platforms or your own stack, and hands-on mentors at the table.
A weekend for people who build
Everyone talks about AI. At the AI Coding Hackathon, people build with it: teams of developers, founders, product people and students turn an idea into a working prototype in 48 hours, with agentic coding, no-code platforms or their own stack.
The weekend is run by the STARTPLATZ AI Hub, Pirate Skills and mentors who have shipped production AI systems themselves. You leave with a result, a team and a way into the community in the Rhineland.
To the AI HubThree pillars of the hackathon
Build, don't listen
No talks, no slide workshops. Friday idea and team, Saturday build, Sunday demo. The jury judges what runs, not what is promised.
Mentors at the table
People who have shipped AI products themselves are in the room all weekend: check-ins, architecture office hours, deep dives into the stacks that matter right now. Help when you're stuck, not on a timetable.
A community that lasts
Once you've been, you come back: as participant, mentor or jury. Teams grow into meetups, the KI Campus and the STARTPLATZ incubator. Recap, photos and projects stay online.
Hackathons in Cologne
Every edition has its own page with programme, mentors, projects, photo album and slides. The newest is on top, and the list grows with every edition.
4–6 September 2026Autumn2026 AI Coding Hackathon: September, Cologne
29–31 May 2026Spring2026 AI Coding Hackathon: May, Cologne
20–22 March 2026Spring2026 AI Coding Hackathon: Spring, Cologne
21–23 November 2025Autumn2025 AI Coding Hackathon: Cologne
15–17 March 2024Spring2024 AI Startup Weekend Hackathon: Cologne
The hackathon grows with the people who carry it
Mentors bring experience to the table, sponsors make tracks, prizes and catering possible, volunteers keep the weekend running. Every role has its own way in.
Your own deep dive or a whole track on your topic.
A weekend up close with 130 AI builders, founders and engineers per edition.
On the event page, in the recap, in the photo album and in participants' posts.
Jury, partners and the STARTPLATZ ecosystem of incubator, accelerator and AI Hub.
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