AI & Innovation Hackathon - Future Career Festival Program

Show your talent. Solve a real-world challenge. Get noticed by leading employers.

As part of the Future Career Festival 2026 on 15 October in Düsseldorf, 20 selected talents will come together at WHU to take on an AI & Innovation Challenge in interdisciplinary teams.

We welcome talents from different backgrounds – including technology, AI, data, innovation, product, UX, business and strategy. You don't need to be a professional developer. What matters is your ability to think, collaborate, innovate and turn ideas into solutions.

How to Join

Participation in the Hackathon is application-based and limited to 20 selected talents.

Applying is free. Simply complete the application form and provide your LinkedIn profile or a cloud link to your CV, together with some information about your background, skills and motivation.

We will review the applications and select the participants based on their profiles and the mix of skills needed to create strong interdisciplinary teams.

Selection & Team Formation

20 participants will be selected and matched into 4 interdisciplinary teams.

Selected participants will be informed by 30 September 2026.

Approximately one week before the Hackathon, you will be introduced to your teammates so that you can get to know each other before meeting on site.

The actual AI & Innovation Challenge will be revealed on 15 October on site by representatives from CGM – so every team starts the challenge at the same time.

Pitch to an Employer Jury

After developing your solution, your team will present its idea, concept, prototype or demo in front of a jury with executives and representatives from leading employers, including CGM, Infosys and L'Oréal.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving, innovation, teamwork and presentation skills directly in front of potential employers – and receive feedback from experienced business and technology leaders.

Participation Fee

Applying for the Hackathon is free.

If you are selected as one of the 20 Hackathon participants, you will receive complimentary access to the Future Career Festival on 15 October, including the Hackathon and the wider festival programme.

Please note: Submitting an application does not automatically provide free admission to the Future Career Festival. Applicants who are not selected and would still like to attend the festival will need a regular festival ticket.

Already Have a Future Career Festival Ticket?

Great! Future Career Festival ticket holders can watch the Hackathon as part of the audience at no additional cost, including the final pitches and jury evaluation.

If you would like to actively participate and compete in the Hackathon, you still need to submit a Hackathon application and be selected as one of the 20 participants.

Apply now and become one of 20 selected talents taking on the AI & Innovation Challenge at Future Career Festival 2026.