Timeline
Hover each milestone to inspect the relevant stage, imagery, and event detail before the finals.
Applications Open
Submit your team and claim your spot.
Applications are now open for TechOn 2026. Secure your team's place before spots fill up. A live countdown is running on the homepage. Max 4 people per team, solo applicants welcome.
Opening & Hack Begins
Ceremony, challenge reveal, catering, and hacking starts.
The hackathon kicks off with an opening ceremony at Open Space Heilbronn. Challenges are revealed. Teams form and hacking begins immediately. Catering is provided throughout the day.
Full Day Hacking
Build, test, iterate, meals and mentors provided.
A full day of uninterrupted building. Mentors circulate throughout the space. Meals and snacks are provided all day. Push your prototype as far as it can go.
Hacking Ends + Pre-Finals
Submit, evaluate, semi-finals, and challenge awards.
Time is up. Teams submit and present to evaluators. Quarter-finals and semi-finals determine who advances to the TECH main stage. Challenge-specific award ceremony follows in the evening.
Finals at TECH Conference
Pitch live on stage. Audience votes. Awards on stage.
The top 3 teams pitch on the main stage at TECH by Handelsblatt in front of Europe's leading voices in business, startups, and innovation. Audience votes. Awards happen on stage.