Hacker Room
A pioneering 4-month residency for AI engineers pushing past the APIs - crafting systems, shaping models, and laying the foundation of future intelligence.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
This is a space for the intellectually curious - a hybrid of research lab, hackerspace, and community hub.
Inspired by the collaborative spirit of developer communities and the research depth of independent AI labs, we gather lifelong learners drawn to hard problems, bold ideas, and open exchange.
We are serious about what we make and playful in how we do it - being part of the Hacker Room means joining a community of hardcore AI practitioners that goes beyond the barriers of academia and industry, who are connected by a fundamental need to tackle AI's most fundamental challenges and its vast potential in application.
DESIGNED
FOR DEPTH
Our first cohort focused on ambitious builders going from –1 to 0.
For our second cohort, we're doubling down on even more technical depth: supporting projects that dig into core infrastructure, novel model architectures, and applied AI research with clear, real-world use.
Dedicated space embedded into Europe’s AI scene.
The Hacker Room offers dedicated, fully equipped workspaces at the Merantix AI Campus — the heart of Europe’s AI scene. Plug into a community of leading experts and stay inspired with 300+ events a year, from weekly paper discussions to monthly engineering "Unconferences" and more.
Close Collaboration.
The Hacker Room brings together a highly curated cohort of AI engineers and researchers united by a shared drive to tackle hard problems, exchange ideas openly, and learn from one another in an environment built for impactful and collaborative work.
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FROM OUR FIRST EDITION
ELIGIBILITY
Background.
You’re in the top 0.1% of ML engineers, proven through research, open-source work and academic or industry credentials.
Dedication.
You have not yet raised external funding and are fully committed to the program. If you have any additional part-time commitments, these will be assessed individually to ensure they can be balanced effectively with the program.
Location.
This is a 4-month, Berlin-based onsite program. You’ll be surrounded by other AI engineers, embedded in the Merantix AI Campus ecosystem. No remote options, the serendipity happens in person.
BACKING THE EXCEPTIONAL
The Hacker Room is where exceptional AI engineers go deep to explore hard problems and pursue high-agency ideas before they’re funded, or shaped by commercial constraints.
By supporting this environment, our partners gain early access to top-tier AI engineering talent, cutting edge technical projects, and the surrounding ecosystem of the Merantix AI Campus - while helping it maintain the one thing that makes it all work: independence.
Submit your
application here.
The second cohort starts in September! Apply now and we will follow up with you shortly