From idea to startup in 54 hours: Startup hackathon returns to Aarhus

Aarhus will once again host Startup Weekend when Startup Aarhus and Techstars invite you to three intense days of innovation, networking and new ideas in September. The concept is simple. Participants pitch ideas, form teams and work together to develop concepts into real startups in just 54 hours.

Startup Weekend returned to Aarhus last year after a long absence. And the event proved to be a springboard for new startups. Last year, Theoflow was born during Startup Weekend Aarhus and has since raised its first investment, while participants from the winning team joined forces after the weekend and founded StreamWerk.

“We’re repeating the success of last year, but 2025 won’t just be a repeat. It will be version 2.0,” says Line Bech Sørensen from Startup Aarhus.

Focus on the maritime

In 2025, participants will be able to choose between three different tracks: a maritime track, an AI track and an open track.

“Together with the Danish Maritime Foundation, we have created a maritime track as one of three paths you can take during the weekend. There is a huge potential for innovation in blue Denmark. The industry holds both concrete challenges and enormous opportunities that almost call for startups to take them on,” says Line Bech Sørensen.

She adds:

“The other two tracks? An AI track, because Aarhus is good with AI. And an open track because not all good ideas fit into boxes.”

This year’s edition also adjusts the format. Whereas last year featured many workshops, the 2025 version will focus even more on giving participants time to build, test and experiment, explains Line Bech Sørensen.

“That’s where the magic happens. That’s what Startup Weekend does. It brings together passionate, talented people with a desire to create. Maybe the idea happens during the weekend, maybe not until a month later, but then maybe you found the people to build with. I can’t wait to get back in the room, feel the energy and welcome a new group into the Startup Weekend family,” she says.

International flair

Who will be facilitating the weekend has not yet been announced, but according to the organizers, participants can expect an international flavor.

“It’s still a secret, but I can reveal that I’m in talks with both Spain and Finland. And maybe we’ll also meet an old acquaintance,” says Line Bech Sørensen.

In the 2024 edition, Swiss startup entrepreneur Réginald Bein-Aimé ran the show. Startup Weekend is again this year in collaboration with American Techstars, one of the world’s most active pre-seed investors with more than 4,000 early-stage startups in its global portfolio.

Startup Weekend is open to anyone curious about startups, technology and innovation – whether you’re a developer, designer, business professional or just have an idea to try out.

Startup Weekend Aarhus takes place September 19-21, 2025. You can read more and sign up here.

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