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48-hour hackathon · Cologne

Vibe Hackathon Cologne

Build a real product with AI in just 48 hours. Stop planning. Start shipping.

May 29-31, 2026STARTPLATZ Cologne

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Who is this for?

The hackathon is for anyone who wants to stop planning and start building.

Founders

"I have an idea but can't build it myself"

Build your MVP yourself without waiting months for a technical co-founder.

Marketers

"I'm dependent on dev for everything"

Create AI-powered automations without writing code from scratch.

Product managers

"I can see it but can't show it"

Build working prototypes to validate ideas – no dev sprint required.

Developers

"I want to ship faster with AI"

Deep dive into agentic patterns, guardrails, and n8n integration.

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The venue

STARTPLATZ Cologne – Cologne's leading innovation hub.

Official partner

STARTPLATZ Cologne

Address
Im Mediapark 5
3rd Floor
50670 Cologne, Germany
Where to stay
Recommended: Hotel Motel One Köln-Mediapark
Distance: 2 minute walk
Tip: Book early – fills up fast on weekends
Getting there
Public transport: Media Park station (S-Bahn), 3 minute walk
Parking: Synodome Parking house

Pro tip: No sleeping facilities on-site. Book a nearby hotel if you prefer a proper rest, or power through with strategic naps – it's a hackathon, after all.

Secure your spot

Upcoming hackathons

48 hours, one working prototype. Grab a seat at the next Vibe Hackathon Cologne.

Vibe Hackathon Cologne

14:30–16:00 CETSTARTPLATZ Cologne€60Vibe Hackathon Cologne

48-hour hackathon where you build working AI prototypes alongside experienced practitioners.

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This hackathon has wrapped

This edition is over. Catch the next one.

Tickets for this date are closed. Join us at the next Vibe Hackathon Cologne.

See the next Vibe Hackathon

Questions? Answered.

Everything you need to know about the hackathon.

Do I need programming experience?
No programming experience required. The hackathon welcomes founders, marketers, product managers, and anyone interested in AI-assisted development. We have deep dive sessions for beginners and mentors available to help you.
Can I participate alone or do I need a team?
Both options work great. You can come with a team, form one during the Friday evening team-building session, or work solo on your own project. Many successful hackathon projects are built by individuals.
What should I bring?
Just your laptop and charger. We provide venue, WiFi, power, food, and coffee. Optional: bring headphones if you like to focus with music, and a notebook for sketching ideas.
Is overnight accommodation available?
The venue is open 24/7 during the hackathon, but there are no sleeping facilities on-site. Many participants book a nearby hotel, while others power through with strategic breaks. Hotels in the Mediapark area are a 5-minute walk.
What happens to my project after the hackathon?
You own everything you build. The hackathon is about shipping your own prototype. There's no IP transfer, no pitch competition stakes – just you building something real that you take home.
What tools can I use?
Any tools or frameworks you prefer. Claude Code, Cursor, n8n, any AI assistant, any tech stack. The hackathon is tool-agnostic – use whatever helps you ship fastest.
What language are the sessions in?
Training sessions and workshops are in English. Team work and collaboration can be in any language – we're an international community.
What if I can't attend all 48 hours?
That's fine. Most people come for the full experience, but you can participate for as much as you can. The demos happen on Sunday at 1pm – try to be there for that.
Is there a refund policy?
Full refunds are available up to 7 days before the event. After that, we can transfer your ticket to a future edition or to someone else.

Still have questions? Email us at ben@pirateskills.com

Join the vibe

This hackathon has wrapped

This edition is over. Catch the next one.

See the next Vibe Hackathon