From Zero to 25 Hackathons a Year: Bela Wiertz's Mission for Europe's Tech Future

About this episode

Bela Wiertz has a clear mission: to strengthen Europe's tech ecosystem and enable at least ten new 100-billion-euro tech companies over the next decade. As founder of Tech Europe, he built Europe's leading hackathon series within just one year – scaling from zero to 25 events annually.

The Vision: Shaping Europe's Tech Future

While Silicon Valley and other tech hubs dominate, Wiertz sees enormous untapped potential in Europe. His mission goes far beyond individual events: it's about creating a sustainable ecosystem that produces the next generation of European unicorns. Expanding from Berlin, Tech Europe builds on a simple yet powerful conviction: Europe's talent needs the right platforms and connections to unlock its full potential.

Community Building: Exclusivity as a Success Factor

Building a relevant tech community requires strategic thinking. Wiertz recognized early that exclusivity is a crucial building block. Instead of opening events to everyone, Tech Europe focuses on curated participant groups. This strategy pays off: the quality of connections and projects increases significantly when the right people come together.

Finding the balance between exclusivity and growth is one of the biggest challenges. Too exclusive, and the ecosystem stagnates. Too open, and quality suffers. Wiertz has developed a pragmatic approach: clear participation criteria, but continuous expansion of the talent pool.

Physical Presence: Why Online Isn't Enough

In an increasingly digital world, Wiertz emphasizes the importance of physical encounters. Hackathons thrive on the energy created when people work on solutions in the same room. The spontaneous conversations, chance meetings, and intense collaboration over 48 hours – none of this can be replicated digitally.

This focus on physical events has proven to be a competitive advantage. While many organizations have shifted to hybrid or purely online formats, Tech Europe has consistently built on the power of personal encounters.

Partnerships: The Right Balance Between Money and Brand

The rapid scaling to 25 hackathons per year would have been impossible without strategic partnerships. Wiertz openly shares how crucial it is to find the right partners – those who not only provide financial support but also align with the mission and brand.

The challenge lies in finding balance: securing enough financial support without losing independence or credibility. Structure is crucial here – clear agreements about expectations, deliverables, and boundaries protect both sides.

From 1 to 25: The Scaling Strategy

Scaling from one to 25 events per year required fundamental changes in organizational structure. Wiertz had to learn early how to systematize processes and build the right team. Every hackathon now follows a proven playbook that is continuously refined.

Focus was crucial throughout this process. Instead of spreading too thin, the team concentrated on the core product: high-quality hackathons that create genuine connections and produce innovative projects.

The Sandbox Space: Berlin's New Tech Center

With the Sandbox Space in Berlin, Tech Europe has created a physical home. This space serves not only as an event location but as a permanent hub for the tech community. Here, founders, developers, and investors can meet and network even between hackathons.

Outlook: The Path to Ten New Unicorns

Wiertz's vision for the coming years is ambitious yet concrete: through continuous strengthening of the European tech ecosystem, at least ten new 100-billion-euro companies should emerge. This means not just more events, but also developing advanced programs for the most promising projects and teams.

Expansion beyond Germany is already underway. Additional European cities are set to follow, always with the same quality standards and mission: to unleash Europe's tech potential and enable the next generation of technology leaders.

Bela Wiertz demonstrates how clear vision, strategic community building, and consistent execution can move an entire ecosystem. His story exemplifies how individual actors can trigger major changes through focused action.