Edition #1 — March 14, 2026 — completed successfully
We hosted an AI hackathon in Berlin. Here's what happened — and what could be next.
We accepted 91 participants (with 50+ on the waitlist), 47 projects were pitched, and 12 volunteers helped make it happen — all in a single Saturday morning. People seemed to enjoy it and several asked about a next edition. We're collecting interest on a waitlist and thinking about what a second edition could look like — ideally with the right partners involved.
91
Participants
47
Projects shipped
12
Volunteers
6
Sponsors
Who was in the room
The audience at Edition #1
A mix of engineers, founders, product people, students, and AI enthusiasts from across Berlin's tech scene. Here's who showed up on March 14.
People who joined from
- Google — global tech & AI
- AWS — cloud & AI infrastructure
- N26 — Europe's leading neobank
- n8n — workflow automation (open-source)
- Finanzguru — fintech / personal finance
- Europace — Germany's largest financing platform
- BrowserStack — developer tooling (jury member)
- BCG — global strategy consulting (jury member)
- shyftplan — workforce management
- Freshworks — customer engagement software
- AnyTax — embedded tax infrastructure for fintechs
- Almedia — rewarded user acquisition (Freecash.com)
- autarc (YC S24) — solar energy & home electrification
- Helsing — AI defense technology
- ]init[ — digital transformation consultancy
- Deloitte — professional services & consulting
- And many more from Berlin's startup and tech scene
Attendee profile
- Software engineers & developers
- Product managers
- Startup founders
- AI/ML enthusiasts & researchers
- Students & career switchers
- A wide range of experience levels
Edition #1 — March 14, 2026
What it looked like
Photos from Needle Berlin — the room, the build, and the energy sponsors helped make possible.
The opportunity
Why partner with us for what's next
Edition #1 proved the format works. If we run a second edition, sponsors get to be part of a proven event with a warm, engaged audience that's already asking for more.
Product in their hands
At Edition #1, participants actively used sponsor tools and APIs to build their projects. Not a demo — real integration, real feedback.
Proven audience
100+ builders showed up and stayed the whole day. From experienced engineers to curious beginners — all there to build with AI. That's the context your brand deserves.
Premium venue
Edition #1 was hosted at Needle Berlin near Alexanderplatz. Intimate setting, great breakfast, professional atmosphere. We'd aim for the same quality next time.
Prize-tier visibility
At Edition #1, sponsors had prize categories announced on stage. Winners demoed to the full room — sponsor brands were part of the highlight moment.
Edition #2 in discussion
The vibe was right and participants are clearly asking for more. We're actively exploring a second edition — early sponsor interest helps make it happen.
Recruiting pipeline
At Edition #1, sponsors watched candidates build under pressure, saw how they think, and talked to them directly. Better signal than any job board.
"Few hours, working software. If they shipped with your tool, they remembered your name."
If Edition #2 happens
Ways to get involved
We're exploring the next edition and talking to potential partners. No fixed packages — we'd rather figure out what works together. Here's what it could look like.
Supporter
Great for tools and platforms that want exposure to Berlin's AI builder scene.
- Logo on event website
- Mentioned in participant communications
- Social media shout-out pre- and post-event
- Product credits distributed to participants
Community partner
For meetups, communities, and groups who help us reach more people.
- Listed as community partner on the website
- Cross-promotion on social media
- Reserved spots for your community members
- Shared with our mailing list and channels
Custom packages welcome. Want to sponsor breakfast? Provide a venue? Offer an API challenge with special prizes? We're flexible — if Edition #2 happens, we'll build something that fits your goals exactly.
Edition #1 sponsors
Who supported the first edition
These companies backed Edition #1 and helped make it a success.
Dan Makarov
Jury — Group PM at BrowserStack, ex-Google
Carla Schneider
Jury — Associate at BCG
Rod Rivera
Jury — Professor of AI & Co-Host of The AI Podcast
Sina Landorff
Moderation — Strategic Partnerships & People Partner
Edition #1 — March 14, 2026
Hackathon winners
Projects the jury recognized on stage — and the prize packages each team took home.
🥇 1st place
Signify AI
Lukas Mascher, Louis Nießen
- 1st place trophy cup
- $300 Featherless credits (open-weight AI models on the Featherless inference platform)
- Tech Explorer Community Slack shout-out + access
- Each team member receives 3 months of ElevenLabs Pro tier ($297 value per team member)
🥈 2nd place
Surgical Assistant AI
Enis Mustafaj, Nur Rafizade
- 2nd place trophy cup
- Featherless credits worth $150
- Tech Explorer Community Slack access
🥉 3rd place
SuperAgent AI
Vadym Maslovskyi, David Velasquez, Max Kops, Vladislav Yakunin, Elena Boroda
- 3rd place trophy cup
- Featherless credits worth $75
- Tech Explorer Community Slack access
⭐ Best project built with ElevenLabs
Geofenced AI Tour Guide
Daniel Montano
- ElevenLabs trophy cup
- Each team member receives 6 months of ElevenLabs Scale tier ($1,980 value per team member)
- Tech Explorer Community Slack access
What's next
Event roadmap
Edition #1 exceeded expectations. Participants are asking for more, and we're seriously exploring a second edition. Here's where things stand.
March 14, 2026 — completed
Edition #1 ✓
100+ participants. Needle Berlin. At capacity with a waitlist. Great energy, strong projects, happy sponsors.
Request event data →TBD — in discussion
Edition #2?
Strong signals from participants that they want this again. We're exploring format, venue, and timing. Sponsor interest helps us commit.
Future
Edition #3+
If Edition #2 works, we'd love to build a recurring series. Quarterly cadence, growing community, bigger ecosystem.
Early sponsor advantage. Partners who express interest now get priority placement if Edition #2 happens. The community remembers who showed up early.
Interested in Edition #2?
Let's talk
Edition #1 was a success. We're gauging sponsor interest for a potential second edition. Drop us a line — no commitment, just a conversation.
