Bio-Hackathon Mainz 2026

about this event

24 hours. Three challenge tracks. One mission: turn biological data into bold solutions. What can happen when ambitious students from biotechnology, computational biology, data science, engineering, and related fields come together for an intensive 24-hour challenge? Join Nucleate Germany x LAB³ e.V. in Mainz for an intensive 24-hour Bio-Hackathon, bringing together aspiring scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers to transform biological challenges into creative, computational solutions.

Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants will tackle challenges from the biotech ecosystem, receive expert mentorship, develop innovative solutions, and pitch their ideas to industry experts and judges. Whether you bring coding expertise, biological knowledge, AI/ML skills, or creative problem-solving abilities, this is your opportunity to build, learn, collaborate, and connect with the next generation of life science innovators.

What Is a Bio-Hackathon? A hackathon is a collaborative innovation sprint where teams develop creative solutions, prototypes, or proofs of concept within a limited time of 24 hours. No finished product is required — the focus is on problem-solving, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Challenge Tracks: participants will work on one of three challenge tracks — 🧬 Protein Design, 🔬 Imaging, 📊 Omics Data. Further details about the individual challenges and challenge partners will be announced before the event.

What to Expect: 🕓 24-hour hands-on innovation sprint; 💪 Interdisciplinary teams of 4–6 participants; 🧪 Expert mentoring from scientists and industry partners; 🏢 Opportunities to meet collaborators, co-founders, and future employers; 🗨️ Final pitches, judging, and an evening showcase; 🏆 Valuable prizes, goodie bags, and certificates of participation; 🍕 Food, drinks, and overnight refreshments.

Who Can Participate? Open to master’s students, PhD researchers, postdocs, early-career scientists and graduates from life science, biotechnology, biology, bioinformatics, AI/ML, medicine, engineering, and related fields. No previous hackathon experience is required. You can apply individually — teams will be formed at the event. We’re looking for curious, motivated participants ready to learn, collaborate, and innovate!

Event Schedule — Friday, 27 November | Kickoff & Hacking: 14:30–16:00 Registration, Opening & Challenge Introduction; 16:00 onwards 24 hours Hackathon, Mentoring & Overnight Hacking. Saturday, 28 November | Final Sprint: 08:00–13:00 Breakfast, Mentoring & Pitch Preparation; 13:00–16:00 Final Sprint & Submissions; 16:00–17:30 Team Pitches & Evaluation. Saturday Evening | Public Showcase: 18:00–19:30 Welcome & Jury Session; 19:45–21:00 Finalist Pitches & Awards; 21:00–22:30 Networking, Food & Drinks.

Registration: apply through the Luma page and complete all registration questions thoughtfully. Registration does not guarantee participation. Applications will be reviewed, and selected participants will receive confirmation and further details. If you can no longer attend, please inform us as early as possible. Limited spots available — join us to turn biological challenges into innovative solutions!

About the Event Hosts — Nucleate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of biotech leaders. With chapters spanning 41 geographic regions and participation from over 280 academic institutions, Nucleate sparks new intellectual communities and embeds emerging talent within a global biotech community. Through open-access educational programming, Nucleate helps democratize biotech innovation — removing barriers and helping founders concentrate on building transformational technologies. Visit www.nucleate.xyz for more information and visit https://nucleate.xyz/privacy-policy/ to read the privacy policy.

LAB³ e.V. is a nonprofit organization focused on the practical side of research and innovation, in cooperation with universities, research institutes, and foundations. A central part of its work is the infrastructure it provides: the physical spaces, equipment, and technical environments used to build, test, and develop new ideas. Alongside this infrastructure, LAB³ provides technical expertise and support. Students, researchers and startups can access both the facilities and the guidance needed to take a project from an early concept to a working prototype. In this way, the organization supports the transition from research and ideas toward concrete results.

About the Event Partners — biomindz: a hub designed for growth! Mainz is one of Germany’s most dynamic cities, home to a vibrant biotech hub that unites cutting-edge research, global connectivity, and a fast-growing ecosystem. The 12-hectare Life Science Campus — under development next to the university — will empower startups, companies, researchers, and investors to shape the future of biotech in the heart of Europe. As a municipally owned nonprofit, biomindz drives this growth through site development, networking, and positioning Mainz as a globally visible biotech hub. Further partners will be announced soon!

About the Venue — the Bio-Hackathon will take place at meet up | Hechtsheim, a modern and versatile event venue in Mainz. Its flexible spaces for conferences, workshops, and collaborative events make it ideally suited to the hackathon's different phases. Dedicated breakout rooms will give teams a focused environment to develop their ideas, while the main hall will set the stage for final pitches.

More Information — detailed information about the agenda, accessibility, overnight arrangements and other relevant information will be shared with confirmed participants before the event.

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