Who can participate in HackXplore?

Students and young professionals from any field; interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.

Do I need to code to join HackXplore?

No. Roles span design, product, research, engineering, business, and more.

How are teams formed at HackXplore?

Arrive with your crew or form a new team during the opening session.

What do partners provide at HackXplore?

Challenge briefs, domain expertise, mentoring slots, and feedback during demos.

What happens after HackXplore?

Teams often continue prototypes, publish their work, or explore internships and pilots with partners.

Are there awards at HackXplore?

Some editions include jury prizes or partner spotlights — details are announced closer to the event.

How do I register for HackXplore 2026?

HackXplore 2026 has wrapped. Visit hackxplore.de for future application windows and updates.

Can I mentor at HackXplore?

Yes. Visit the Get Involved page on the MESH e.V. website to volunteer your expertise.

How can my company partner with HackXplore?

Explore collaboration options on the MESH Partners page and email hi@mesh-stuttgart.de to start the conversation.

HackXplore – Karlsruhe’s Interdisciplinary Hackathon

Name: HackXplore 2026
Start: 2026-06-26T15:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-28T15:00:00+02:00
Location: SteamWork by GoodSpaces

2026 recap

Three days of interdisciplinary building in Karlsruhe

From Friday, 26 June to Sunday, 28 June 2026, HackXplore brought students and young professionals to SteamWork / GoodSpaces in Karlsruhe for around 38 hours of focused building around real company challenges.

26: teams
6: challenge setters
38: hours building
3: days

See HackXplore

Overview

What is HackXplore?

HackXplore is MESH e.V.’s flagship 3-day hackathon in Karlsruhe, co-organised with NXTGN. Students, graduates, and young professionals from technology, design, and business tackle real company challenges with mentor support and structured workshops.

In 2026, 26 teams worked at SteamWork / GoodSpaces, Roonstrasse 23a, with around 38 hours of effective hacking and building time before presenting their outcomes to partners and the community.

Visit hackxplore.de

Format benefits

Why teams joined

Collaborate across disciplines: build alongside designers, developers, researchers, and strategists.
Learn from mentors: industry experts offer feedback sessions, micro-workshops, and pitch coaching.
Prototype fast: access focused workspaces, partner data, and tools to validate ideas quickly.
Showcase your work: present to partners, peers, and the wider innovation community.

Recap

Key details from 2026

2026 edition: Friday, 26 June – Sunday, 28 June 2026.
Location: SteamWork / GoodSpaces, Roonstrasse 23a, 76137 Karlsruhe.
Effective hacking/building time: around 38 hours.
Teams: 26 interdisciplinary teams.
Challenge setters: 6 companies.
Eligibility: students, recent graduates, and young professionals; all faculties welcome.
Language: primarily English, with German support depending on partners.
Costs: participation is typically free for selected teams (catering and workspace included).
What to bring: laptop, charger, prototyping tools, and your curiosity.
Future updates: follow hackxplore.de for the next application window and announcements.
IP & follow-up: retain ownership of what you create; partners may explore internships, pilots, or further collaborations after the event.

Challenge setters

Companies behind the 2026 challenges

Hitachi Rail
VEGA Grieshaber KG
LBBW
Rentschler Biopharma
ZEISS Group
Hirth Engines GmbH

Organisers

Organisers & contact

Lead organisers: NXTGN GmbH and MESH e.V.
General enquiries: mail@hackxplore.de.
Partner contact: reach the NXTGN team via hackxplore.de.
Imprint & privacy: see the official HackXplore site for legal details hosted by NXTGN.

History

Past editions

2026
HackXplore 2026
26 teams · 6 challenge setters · around 38 hours of building
2025
HackXplore 2025
175 participants · 21 partner companies · 5 challenges · 48 hours
2024
MESH Hackathon 2024
KidsCube — a post-event project that went public.
2023
MESH Hackathon 2023
First live in-person edition, expanding participation beyond DHBW.
2022
MESH Hackathon 2022
178 students from 6 DHBW academies across 4 challenge areas.
2021
MESH Hackathon 2021
The first MESH hackathon — online edition.

Visual snapshots

HackXplore 2026 participants gathered for a group photo at SteamWork / GoodSpaces Karlsruhe. — HackXplore 2026 brought together 26 teams for three days of interdisciplinary building in Karlsruhe. Photo: Luca Malz | visual.affinity

Teams collaborating during HackXplore with laptops and brainstorming notes. — Teams co-create solutions alongside mentors and partner representatives during around 38 hours of focused building. Photo: Luca Malz | visual.affinity

A HackXplore mentor delivering a talk to participants. — Lightning talks and workshops from partners keep challenges grounded in real industry needs. Photo: Luca Malz | visual.affinity

FAQ

Who can participate?: Students and young professionals from any field; interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
Do I need to code?: No. Roles span design, product, research, engineering, business, and more.
How are teams formed?: Arrive with your crew or form a new team during the opening session.
What do partners provide?: Challenge briefs, domain expertise, mentoring slots, and feedback during demos.
What happens after the event?: Teams often continue prototypes, publish their work, or explore internships and pilots with partners.
Are there awards?: Some editions include jury prizes or partner spotlights; details vary by edition.
How do I register?: Follow our channels and visit hackxplore.de for future application windows and updates.
Can I mentor?: Yes. See Get Involved to volunteer your expertise.
How can my company partner?: Explore collaboration options on Partners and email hi@mesh-stuttgart.de to start the conversation.