Hospitality Techathon @ INTERNORGA 2027
- When
- Friday, March 12, 2027
- Where
- Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 20357 Hamburg
Join us for a hackathon at INTERNORGA — Europe's leading trade fair for hospitality and foodservice — where students, start-ups, and industry professionals team up to solve real challenges shaping the future of gastronomy, kitchen technology, and food service.
Why Join?
The hospitality industry is under massive pressure — staff shortages, rising costs, and fragile supply chains are pushing the sector to rethink how kitchens, service, and operations work. It needs bold new ideas and the people who can build them fast. During the Hospitality Techathon you will:
- Work on a real challenge brought in by a hospitality company or scaled-up start-up
- Learn from experts across the HospitalityTech ecosystem
- Build a prototype and concept within two days
- Present your prototype at the final pitch on stage
- Have your concept judged by a jury of high-level industry experts
- Meet founders, engineers, chefs, and operators shaping the future of the industry
No prior start-up experience needed — just curiosity and motivation.
Who Should Apply?
The Hospitality Techathon is for anyone who wants to build real solutions for the future of hospitality. We welcome participants from all backgrounds, including:
- Engineering, robotics, and computer science
- Data science and AI
- Food science, nutrition, and biotech
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Design and sustainability
- Hospitality and foodservice operations
We're looking for students and talents (TUM and other universities), start-ups, hospitality and foodservice companies, employees of our challenge partners and highly interested individuals.
You can apply individually or already as a team or startup.
Five Streams, Five Challenges
Our work — and the Techathon — is organized around five innovation clusters that together map the technological landscape of the hospitality industry, from process technology to food security and resilience. Each stream is anchored by one concrete challenge, contributed by an industry partner, that teams work on for real.
Technologies that streamline everyday operations in kitchen, counter and service — from ordering and payment to guest flow and connected, energy-efficient equipment. The focus is on systems that make hospitality processes faster, smoother and more reliable, even under fluctuating demand.
AI and data platforms that turn operational data into better decisions — demand forecasting, production planning, inventory and resource management. Beyond efficiency, they make procurement and supply more resilient and reduce dependence on fragile just-in-time chains.
Robotics and automation that support repetitive and physically demanding tasks in professional kitchens — from preparation and assembly to dishwashing and logistics. The focus is on relieving staff and keeping operations running reliably, even when personnel is scarce.
Technologies for personalized and health-oriented nutrition, alternative proteins, fermentation and smart menu development. The focus is on making adaptive, nutritious and sustainable food offerings scalable — and on reducing dependence on import- and energy-intensive ingredients.
Digital traceability, hygiene monitoring, quality control and food safety. The focus is on making regulatory requirements easier to meet, protecting against risks along the supply chain, and strengthening trust in a safe and reliable food supply.
Application Process
Each participant submits their own application — a short form covering motivation, skills, and stream preference. If you're applying with an existing team, just say so; teams help create an even more dynamic hackathon.
We curate a group of around and maximum 40 participants. Selected applicants receive a binding confirmation, a short reminder sequence ahead of the event, and — if needed — a spot opens up from our waitlist.
Spots are limited — apply early.
Agenda
Evening before: Get-together for partners, sponsors & participants
Day 1: Welcome & impulse talks → Challenge presentations (one per stream) → Team building → Hackathon kick-off, with mentoring throughout
Day 2: Continued work with mentors → Elevator pitches → Final pitch / prototype presentation on stage, judged by a jury of high-level experts → Awards
Prizes
The winning team takes home prize money and ongoing support to further develop their concept.
Q&A
The Techathon runs on-site in German.
No. The Techathon is designed for beginners and curious minds. You don't need prior start-up experience — just motivation, curiosity, and willingness to collaborate.
1st place wins prize money and ongoing support in developing the overall
concept further.
A jury of high-level industry experts evaluates each team's prototype and concept.
Within INTERNORGA 2027 (12–16 March 2027) in Hamburg.
Exact days to be announced soon.
Hamburg Messe und Congress
The Hospitality Techathon is jointly hosted by the AgriFood Hub (UnternehmerTUM & TUM Venture Labs), UnternehmerTUM Academy for Innovators and HOOSY e.V.
Students interested in hospitality tech / people curious about start-ups and entrepreneurship / engineers, data scientists, designers, business talents / hospitality professionals who want to build ideas fast.
We welcome all backgrounds — engineering, data science, food science, business, design, or hands-on hospitality experience. Diverse teams create the best solutions.
Just bring your laptop, curiosity, and motivation. All materials will be provided.
Contact
More questions? Get in touch with Lukas Dillinger (Innovation Director & Hospitality Lead): lukas.dillinger@extern.unternehmertum.de