Discover upcoming AI hackathons in Europe for 2026.

AI Hackathons in Europe 2026

### Overview
Energy Data Hackdays is Switzerland’s premier innovation event where data meets action to shape the country’s energy future. The event brings together developers, researchers, analysts, energy professionals, students, and enthusiasts to collaborate on real world climate and grid challenges. Since its inception in 2019, the Hackdays has grown into a two edition per year format, rotating across Swiss cities to maximize accessibility and impact. The platform focuses on practical applications of energy data, modeling, and rapid prototyping, with a strong emphasis on hands on learning and community building.

### What to expect
Participants form teams to tackle curated energy related problems using exclusive Swiss energy datasets. The format blends instruction, collaboration, and competition in a 48 hour sprint style, culminating in a jury pitch where the most viable prototypes are showcased. On site mentors, data resources, and specialized tooling are provided to accelerate learning and project delivery. The event aims to create an ecosystem where new ideas can move from concept to demonstrable demo within a single weekend.

### Tracks and sessions
The event highlights several thematic tracks designed to help attendees move from problem framing to a working solution. Tracks include:
- Solve Real World Challenges: apply data analytics to actual bottlenecks in energy transition and grid optimization.
- Level Up Your Skills: deepen expertise in data analytics, energy modeling, and rapid prototyping, with challenges designed to test under time pressure.
- The Ultimate Energy Network: explore collaboration opportunities with industry experts, researchers, and potential partners in a fast moving 48 hour window.
- From Data to Demo: go beyond ideas to produce a working prototype and prepare a pitch for the jury.
- Expert Mentorship & Resources: access mentors, premium datasets, and on site guidance to help projects progress.
- Exclusive Data & Mentorship: obtain hands on access to specialized datasets and dedicated mentor support to accelerate project success.

### Format and agenda
The Hackdays typically spans a weekend, beginning with problem framing and team formation, followed by an intensive coding and development phase. Teams work to build functional prototypes aligned with their chosen tracks. On the final day, teams present to a jury of industry leaders and researchers. Attendees benefit from on site mentorship, collaboration with peers, and opportunities to network with solar, wind, and energy data professionals.

### It is for whom
The event welcomes developers, data scientists, researchers, energy experts, and students who want to apply data science to energy challenges. Whether your background is in coding, energy systems, or policy, the event provides a platform to learn, build, and connect with a community that shares a passion for data driven energy solutions.

### Logistics
Energy Data Hackdays occurs in Switzerland with editions typically hosted in Lausanne for the spring edition and Brugg-Windisch for the autumn edition. Each edition presents a unique mix of datasets, tracks, and partner involvement, all designed to advance practical energy data literacy and solution oriented thinking. Expect on site registration, collaborative workspaces, and opportunities to showcase your work to a panel of mentors and potential collaborators.

Energy Data Hackdays

### Overview
GDG AI HACK 2026 is a free, in-person AI hackathon taking place in Milan, Italy from May 8 to May 10, 2026 at Randstad Box. Organized by GDG PoliMi and GDG Cloud Milano, the weekend brings together university students, recent graduates, and PhD students to form teams and build AI based projects. The event features three main tracks focused on AI for Education, Vision and Spatial AI, and On-Device AI, with additional side challenges from industry sponsors. A total prize pool exceeding €15,000, mentoring from industry experts, and hands-on sessions are available to participants. The hackathon is entirely free to attend, with meals provided during the weekend and opportunities to network with peers and potential future teammates.

### Agenda
- Friday May 8: Welcome drinks at Google Milan to kick off and allow participants to meet potential teammates.
- Saturday May 9: Hackathon kickoff at Randstad Box with challenge briefs, team formation, and starting the build phase that lasts through the night.
- Sunday May 10: Final presentations and awards ceremony at Randstad Box. Teams present their projects to judges and prizes are awarded across tracks.
- All days include meals and snacks, with venue access for late-night work if desired.

### Tracks
- Braynr: Learn Different — Education-focused AI, cross-disciplinary teams that include designers, data scientists, and education experts.
- Luxonis: See Beyond — Vision and Spatial AI with on-site hardware like OAK cameras and DepthAI SDK to build edge AI solutions.
- MSI: Cut the Cord — On-Device AI and privacy focused solutions with models running locally without cloud dependency.

### Format
- In-person event at Randstad Box, Milan. Free to attend with a cap of around 160 participants across 40 teams.
- Teams can be formed beforehand or at the event; solo participants can be matched with teams before start.
- Any programming language or framework is welcome. Tools from sponsors such as Google Gemini API, Replit, ElevenLabs, Luxonis, MSI, and others are provided or available for use during the hack.

### Who should attend
- University students, recent graduates, and PhD students from CS, design, data science, IoT, AI, UX, and related fields.
- Individuals or small teams (up to 4 people) who want to build impactful AI projects and learn from mentors.
- Anyone interested in exploring AI applications across education, vision, and on-device AI domains.

### FAQ Highlights
- Can we know the challenge beforehand? No. The briefing is provided at kickoff.
- Can I participate without a team? Yes. Apply solo and organizers will help with team formation before the event.
- Is there a pre-existing project requirement? No, but having a portfolio helps.
- How many spots are available? 160 participants across 40 teams.
- What to bring? Laptop, charger, adapters; optional items for comfort; no special hardware required beyond what you plan to use for your project.
- Are meals included and is the event free? Yes, meals are provided and participation is free.
- How are results communicated? Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; outcomes are announced by end of April. Check email and spam folders.
- What tools are available? Google Cloud credits and Gemini API, Replit cloud IDE, ElevenLabs, Luxonis OAK cameras, and Braynr education tools, among others.

### Venue and Prizes
- Venue: Randstad Box, Via S. Vigilio 5, Milan, Italy. Accessible by public transit.
- Prize pool: over €15,000 in cash, hardware, software licenses, and cloud credits across tracks.
- Organizers: GDG PoliMi and GDG Cloud Milano, with industry partners and community sponsors supporting the event.

### Practical details
- Start date: 2026-05-08; End date: 2026-05-10.
- Location: Milan, Italy (Randstad Box).
- Online format: In-person only for the main event; some content and FAQs may be mirrored in accessible formats.


For more details about tracks, schedule, and how to apply, visit the event page and the dedicated sections on the site.

GDG AI HACK 2026

### Overview
Encode Club returns with Encode Vibe Coding Hackathon, a three day weekend dedicated to hacking with AI tools, models, and workflows. The event centers on enabling participants to turn visions into tangible outcomes through rapid prototyping, experimentation, and collaboration. It brings together a community of AI enthusiasts and developers to explore new workflows, prototype product ideas, and push creative boundaries around artificial intelligence. The Hackathon is hosted at Encode Hub in London, a central venue designed for hands-on learning and community building. Attendees can expect a weekend filled with hacking, workshops, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with peers and potential partners in the AI space.

### Agenda
The page describes a full three day program featuring a dedicated challenge, workshops, learning moments, and continuous mentorship throughout the event. The core Challenge asks participants to build using AI tools and workflows to bring ideas to life. While concrete session times are not listed on the page, the content emphasizes a weekend of hacking, learning moments, and community vibes, with details about the schedule, workshops, and prize information to be announced in the run up to the Hackathon. There is also emphasis on collaboration, rapid prototyping, and startup potential in judging criteria.

### What to Expect
Expect a hands-on environment where attendees can explore AI workflows, prototype ideas, and create new solutions centered on AI. The Hackathon is described as fully focused on hacking, experimentation, and learning within a supportive community. Mentorship and guidance are highlighted as ongoing during the event. The page notes that details such as the full schedule, workshops, and prize information will be announced as the event approaches, indicating a dynamic program with evolving content.

### Tickets
Tickets are offered as Free and Paid options. The event is a 3-day fully catered experience with a ballot system for free tickets. Ballot entries provide a chance to attend, but do not guarantee entry; paid tickets are available to secure a guaranteed spot. This structure encourages broad participation while offering a straightforward path to guaranteed attendance for those who purchase.

### Venue
 Encode Hub, located at 41 Pitfield Street in Shoreditch, London, serves as the event venue. The page emphasizes the venue’s central location in London and highlights the opportunity to visit the real-world Encode Hub as part of the Hackathon experience. A Google Maps embed confirms the venue location and accessibility.

### Past and Partners
The page references past events hosted by Encode Club and Encode Hub, illustrating a continuing series of AI oriented gatherings. It also notes partnership and sponsorship opportunities, with a contact provided for partnership inquiries.

### FAQs and Details
What you build at the Hackathon must align with the Challenge of building with AI, and participants should anticipate a weekend filled with collaborative problem solving, hands-on demos, and potential startup oriented outcomes. While some specifics such as exact session times, speakers, and prize details are not listed on the page, the content promises a robust, AI-centered environment focused on learning, experimentation, and community. Attendees are encouraged to engage with mentors, participate in sessions, and take advantage of the opportunity to connect with Encode Club and other attendees in a vibrant tech community.

Encode Vibe Coding Hackathon

### Overview
AI Hackathon Haarlem & Amsterdam is a one day in person coding event designed to bring together ambitious students, developers, and tech enthusiasts from the Amsterdam area and Haarlem. Hosted at the iconic De Koepel in Haarlem and organized by Digilize Agency in partnership with The Social Club Haarlem, this hackathon centers on building real AI powered products within a single day. Teams of up to four participants will collaborate to develop innovative AI solutions, with an emphasis on rapid prototyping, teamwork, and shipping a working product by day’s end. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies wanting to connect with top tech talent in the region. The entry fee helps cover meals and beverages throughout the day, and SRH Haarlem students receive a discount.

### Format and agenda
The event follows an intensive one day schedule with a clearly defined flow from opening doors to final pitches and awards. The day begins with Doors Open and Check-in, followed by a Kick-off and Challenge Reveal to set the day’s problem statement. Attendees will then form or join teams and begin building. Midday, Lunch Break provides a reset before continuing with Building Blocks that structure the day into focused phases. A Midway Check-in and Mentoring session offers guidance and feedback from mentors, while a Code Freeze moment at 18:00 means teams must finalize their submissions for judging. In the evening, Demo Pitches allow the top teams to present to judges and the audience, followed by Awards and Prizes and a Closing Ceremony with drinks. There is an optional Pub Crawl in Haarlem to wind down the evening.

### Who should attend
Open to all skill levels, the event is particularly aimed at ambitious students, developers, and tech talent who are eager to work with AI tools and collaborate in a fast paced environment. The event is a chance to connect with potential sponsors, meet local tech communities, and showcase your ability to translate ideas into a tangible AI product within a single day.

### Venue and organizers
The Hackathon takes place at De Koepel, SRH Haarlem, located near Amsterdam in the North Holland region of the Netherlands. Organizers include The Social Club and Digilize Agency, both active in the local tech community. The event emphasizes hands-on building, learning, and networking with peers and industry partners. Attendees should bring a laptop and the ambition to ship a product by day’s end. The schedule, agenda, and participation details are posted on the event site and registration is handled through the site. 

### FAQs
- What is the fee and what does it cover? Entry is approximately €15 per person, covering food and drinks. Some attendees may receive discounts.
- Can individuals join a team or should I bring a pre-formed team? Attendees can register individually or as part of a team up to four people.
- Is the event online or in person? This is an offline, in-person event at De Koepel in Haarlem. 
- Are there sponsorship opportunities? Yes, sponsors can connect with top tech talent in the Amsterdam region through dedicated packages. 

### Notes
The event emphasizes practical AI development, collaboration, and shipping a real product in one day. It is a great venue for students and early career developers to gain real-world experience, network with peers, and demonstrate innovation in AI product development.

AI Hackathons in Europe 2026

Events in Locations