HackXplore – Karlsruhe’s Interdisciplinary Hackathon

Name: HackXplore Karlsruhe
Start: 2026-06-26
End: 2026-06-28
Location: HackXplore Venue

Overview

What is HackXplore?

HackXplore is MESH e.V.’s flagship 3-day (≈36-hour) 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.

Expect rapid team formation, deep-dive briefings, guided prototyping, and a showcase where each team presents to partners and the community. Challenges typically host up to four interdisciplinary teams so that mentors can give focused feedback.

Visit hackxplore.de

Format benefits

Why join

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.

Logistics

Key details

Next edition: 26–28 June 2026, Karlsruhe.
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.
Registration: early-bird sign-up is live on the HackXplore site; full applications usually close a few weeks before the event.
IP & follow-up: retain ownership of what you create; partners may explore internships, pilots, or further collaborations after the event.

Organisers

Organisers & contact

Lead organisers: NXTGN GmbH and MESH e.V. (START Stuttgart supported previous editions).
General enquiries: mail@hackxplore.de.
Partner contact: Tanita Martsch (NXTGN) via Tanita.Martsch@join-nxtgn.com.
Imprint & privacy: see the official HackXplore site for legal details hosted by NXTGN.

Highlights

Recent highlights

HackXplore 2025: 175 participants, 48 hours of hacking, five company challenges, and a €10k prize pool.
Partners featured: ZEISS Innovation Hub @ KIT, VEGA, Vetter Pharma, Würth Elektronik, AOK Baden-Württemberg, Festo, Exxeta, CyberForum, and more.
Venue: GoodSpaces Karlsruhe (2025 edition) with support from local innovation hubs.

Visual snapshots

Group photo of HackXplore participants celebrating after the final presentations. — HackXplore brings together students, graduates, and young professionals from across disciplines.

Teams collaborating during HackXplore with laptops and brainstorming notes. — Teams co-create solutions alongside mentors and partner representatives during the 36-hour sprint.

A HackXplore mentor delivering a talk to participants. — Lightning talks and workshops from partners keep challenges grounded in real industry needs.

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 are announced closer to the event.
How do I register?: Follow our channels and visit hackxplore.de for the latest application links, deadlines, and early-bird 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.