Vibe Hackathon Cologne
Build a real product with AI in just 48 hours.
Stop planning. Start shipping.
Join the Vibe
100 builders. 48 hours. Working prototypes. Here's what it looks like.
From the Vibe Hackathon November 2025 — our first edition at STARTPLATZ Cologne
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.
48 Hours, One Goal
Friday 5pm to Sunday 3pm — a focused weekend of building, learning, and shipping.
Friday
September 4
Pre-hackathon sessions
Optional onboarding for non-techies and personal AI agent installation help — arrive early and get set up.
Registration & check-in
Doors open, grab your badge, and find your spot.
Kick-off & North Star
Welcome, team building, MVP scope canvas, 48-hour playbook
Team Building & Project Pitches
Present ideas, form teams, or define your solo project
Start Hacking
Pizza available, optional Vibe Coding 101 deep dive with Ben
Saturday
September 5
Breakfast & Check-in
Fuel up, group start, project status updates
Hacking & Optional Deep Dives
Build with mentor support, optional deep dive sessions
Office Hours & Deep Dives
Get individual mentor support or join a deep dive
Pizza & Evening Hacking
Dinner break, then continue building until midnight
Demo Rehearsal
Quick interim presentations, feedback round
Sunday
September 6
Breakfast
Fuel up. Start your final day with breakfast and coffee
Final Sprint
Last optimizations, testing, demo preparation
Demos & Pitches
Every team/solo presents their prototype (3-5 min each)
Wrap-up & Networking
Feedback, lessons learned, community building
Pre-hackathon sessions
Optional onboarding for non-techies and personal AI agent installation help — arrive early and get set up.
Registration & check-in
Doors open, grab your badge, and find your spot.
Kick-off & North Star
Welcome, team building, MVP scope canvas, 48-hour playbook
Team Building & Project Pitches
Present ideas, form teams, or define your solo project
Start Hacking
Pizza available, optional Vibe Coding 101 deep dive with Ben
The Venue
STARTPLATZ Cologne — Cologne's leading innovation hub.
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
Parking: Synodome Parking house
Grab your ticket
48 hours, real products shipped, a switched-on crew. Pick your seats — or register your interest and decide later.
Early Bird
Until 31 July · max 2
+ VAT€90€600Regular
Bring your whole team
+ VAT€900Student 44
For students — €44, a nod to our sponsor Base44
incl. VAT€440Young Pirate 44
One adult + one builder under 18 — the adult checks out and brings the kid
incl. VAT€440Patron
Pay what you want — back the hackathon
incl. VATfrom €100
Bring the crew: Regular drops to €80/seat at 2, €70 at 5, €60 at 10 — applied automatically.
Got a discount code? It applies to a single Regular ticket — enter it at checkout.
Not ready to buy?
Register your interest and we'll keep you posted — early-bird reminders, the agenda, and everything you need to lock your seat.
Questions? Answered.
Everything you need to know about the hackathon.
Still have questions? Email us at ben@pirateskills.com
Backed by Builders.
This hackathon is made possible by partners who believe in the future of AI-powered building.
Base44
The fastest way to build web apps with AI. Turn your ideas into working products through a simple chat interface — no coding required.
Visit Website →
Startplatz AI Hub
The epicenter of Generative AI and Innovation. Offering AI workshops, events, and community building for the future of artificial intelligence.
Visit Website →