Why we do this
Why Hackathons Matter More Than Ever
Back when I founded Music Hackspace in 2011, hackathons were hype. There was something magical about those events — everything seemed possible, barriers were removed, and we were given full agency to create.
Fast forward 15 years, and the world we live in is radically different. As the technology barriers were virtually removed, output is now maximised. Human-to-human collaboration matters more than ever, and the fast feedback between participants of different backgrounds is perfectly poised to create disruptive approaches — solving problems and scaling them fast.
At a time of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and urgent creative challenges, this model is no longer optional. It's essential.
— Jean-Baptiste Thiebaut, Founder of Music Hackspace
Speed.
Ideas move from concept to prototype in days, not months.
Access.
People who are usually outside traditional innovation channels can participate.
Signal.
We quickly see which ideas, teams, and challenges deserve deeper investment.
Community.
Participants don't just build projects — they build relationships and long-term ecosystems.
Our vision: globally connected, locally rooted.
We run hackathons as a global network of local nodes. Each city hosts events that are grounded in local culture, talent, and priorities — while being connected to an international ecosystem of mentors, partners, challenge owners, and opportunities.
Local events generate teams, prototypes, and momentum. The global network amplifies the strongest outcomes. Partners gain access to real innovation and high-intent talent. Communities reinvest in the next cycle with stronger capability.
Upcoming Hackathons
Register now and build something remarkable.
🇵🇹 Lisbon16–17 May 2026
Music Technology Hackathon: Lisbon Spring 2026
Unicorn Factory Lisboa, Beato Innovation District
Register →
🇺🇸 Boston6–7 June 2026
Music Technology Hackathon: Boston June 2026
Berklee College of Music · AIMS Conference
Register →
🇨🇦 Montreal22–23 August 2026
Music Technology Hackathon: Montreal August 2026
MUTEK Festival, Montreal
Register →“What matters more than technical ability is context, feedback, curation, and the ability to bring the right people into the same room.”
Jean-Baptiste Thiebaut, Music Hackspace
Sponsors & partners
For sponsors & partners
Why sponsor a hackathon?
Hackathon sponsorship is one of the highest-signal investments a creative technology company can make. You don't just get a logo on a banner — you get a weekend of focused innovation built around your tools, your challenges, and your community.
Own a challenge track
Co-design a brief with us that maps directly to your strategic priorities. Participants spend the entire weekend solving your real problem — from workflow gaps to API adoption to creative tooling.
Discover high-intent talent
Meet developers, musicians, and designers who already care enough about your tools to build with them under pressure. We run curated introductions between sponsors and standout teams after the event.
Get real prototypes
Walk away with working proofs of concept built on your technology. Past sponsors have seen 8–15 project submissions per challenge track — ideas your own team may not have imagined.
Activate your brand
Reach a global community of 10,000+ creative professionals across events in London, Lisbon, Boston, Montreal, and beyond. Direct access to the people who shape the future of music and audio technology.
Measurable ROI
We produce detailed reports covering leads generated, community engagement, prototype output, press reach, and talent signals — so you can demonstrate the value of your investment to stakeholders.
Community continuity
Sponsoring a hackathon is not a one-off activation. It opens the door to ongoing community relationships, follow-up projects, and presence across our full annual programme of events and courses.
Ready to get involved?
Reach out to discuss challenge track design, sponsorship packages, and co-hosting opportunities.
Build this with us.
Whether you want to participate, sponsor a challenge track, host an event in your city, or contribute mentors and tools — there's a place for you in the Music Hackspace global network.