Take an exclusive look behind the scenes of Hackfestival 2024

What is Hackfestival?

Over the last month, we have tirelessly worked to develop a concept for the largest offline Hackathon in the world. In times of Covid-19, we successfully organized an enormous online Hackathon, attracting 27,000 attendees. Now, our aim is to break the current world record for the largest offline Hackathon. Together with 3,500 IT-Talents, we aspire to contribute to making the world a greener, more environmentally friendly planet. “Decarbonizing the Planet“ is not just our motto; it is our goal. By hosting the event at the Maimarkt in Mannheim, we have the best opportunities to achieve it. Why? Mannheim was recently awarded with the EU Label for climate-neutral and Intelligent City, making it the first German city to receive this recognition.

We are committed to finding climate-positive solutions and hosting an event with a low carbon footprint. Achieving this requires advancements in technology and the drive to transform. We welcome digital innovators from all over the world with a can-do attitude, as well as companies of all sizes to work together to combat climate change and develop sustainable solutions in just one weekend.

The event provides an excellent opportunity for recruitment as challenged-based formats offer a simple and efficient way. Corporate and Talent can come together in a casual environment to get acquainted. Rather than engage in protracted processes, there is the prospect of direct bonding, exchange, and experiencing of talent up-close. We aim to bring together all relevant parties: corporates seeking to realize their vison and talented individuals who bring their creativity to bear in finding solutions to real-world problems.

But it’s not just about setting a world record or recruiting; it’s about getting to know the organization and potential employer on a personal level. It’s about techies outside meeting techies inside the organization.

We firmly believe that we can make a positive impact on the world through technology. The challenges are created by reputable companies across various sectors who hope to make an impact. These sectors include agriculture, automotive, engineering, real estate, healthcare, education, finance, and more. In addition to presenting challenges, companies can offer advice and engage in direct exchanges with Talents.

Inspirational speakers, like-minded individuals, and potential employers will facilitate the event’s fluid exchange of ideas, and we are confident that exceptional solutions will emerge. As an added bonus, Talents stand the chance to win a monetary prize and an unforgettable experience.

Key Facts

World Record Hackathon Pre-Event

The scent of freshly brewed coffee, buttery and sweet croissants set the mood for a productive Friday morning. We organized a business breakfast on behalf of our Hackfestival and hosted a pre-event to gather important players from the Metropolregion and present our idea. Because as the saying goes “It takes a village to raise a child.“ The corporate attendees took the opportunity to network and establish connections. Our CEO and Founder Oliver Bruemmer gave an inspiring PowerPoint presentation, offering exclusive insights into our plan to become the new world record holder. He addressed all questions in detail and provided examples of how the event will be executed. The Mayor of Mannheim, Christian Specht, emphasized the importance of collaboration and community empowerment in the Rhein-Neckar-Region. He cited successful events like Time-Warp and Congresses as examples of the region’s capabilities. He further stated „this is a huge opportunity. We have wonderful organizational structures, we have the premises, the experience and we have great companies that are all active in this incredibly competitive market.“

The energy in the room was electrifying, and the attendees showed a strong interest. You could sense the excitment building. Our team has received significant support from m:con, MRN, Next Mannheim, the City of Mannheim, and numerous other organizations, which we are deeply grateful for.

Roman Burak, Project Manager of Hackfestival, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “The event held on Friday sets the tone for the entire Hackfestival.” According to Roman, this highlights the level of interest and engagement from both corporates and Mannheim city authorities, which is crucial for the success of the event. The participants showed a high level of enthusiasm and involvement, indicating significant interest and potential for a successful Hackfestival in September 2024.

“As a project manager, I am pleased with the result of the pre-event,” added Roman. “The high turnout and energetic participation demonstrate a positive response from the audience, indicating that the event was well-received.“

We encourage all corporates, big or small, to seize this chance to be a part of the Hackfestival 2024. Join this innovative venture here, connect with brilliant minds, and showcase your commitment to driving change. Together, we can make a difference.