AI Entrepreneurs Weekend at Hostačov

# AI Entrepreneurs Weekend at Hostačov

March 27-29, 2026

## Event Overview

A carefully designed 2.5-day immersive experience bringing together 25-30 AI entrepreneurs, builders, and technically-minded founders to explore opportunities, build connections, and push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI in Europe.
Location: Hostačov Château, Czech Republic
Dates: Friday March 27 (evening) - Sunday March 29 (afternoon)
Participants: 25-30 AI entrepreneurs, founders, builders
Format: Hybrid hackathon/retreat with structured sessions and informal collaboration time

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## Why This Weekend Matters

Europe has world-class AI talent but lacks the concentrated energy and community infrastructure found in Silicon Valley or other tech hubs. This weekend creates:

• Dense network effects - Meet your next co-founder, technical partner, or advisor
• Shared momentum - Leave energized with concrete next steps
• Cross-pollination - Blend different perspectives (technical, business, research)
• Ecosystem building - Strengthen Prague’s position as an AI entrepreneurship hub
• Space to think - Step away from daily execution to envision bigger possibilities

This isn’t a conference. It’s a forge for relationships, ideas, and projects that will define the next wave of European AI companies.

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## Core Experience Principles

1. Collaboration over consumption - More building together, less passive listening
2. Quality over quantity - Small group, deep interactions
3. Emergent over prescribed - Let the energy guide what happens
4. Ambitious yet grounded - Big visions with practical next steps
5. Community over competition - Open sharing, mutual support

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## Participant Profile

Who Should Come:

• Active AI entrepreneurs (pre-seed to Series A)
• Technical founders building AI products
• Engineers/researchers considering starting companies
• Product leaders driving AI transformation
• Technical investors focused on AI

What We’re Looking For:

• Building something real (or ready to start)
• Willing to share knowledge openly
• Excited to collaborate and help others
• Technically sophisticated enough to discuss implementation
• Interested in meaningful relationships, not just collecting contacts

Diversity Targets:

• 30% women and underrepresented founders
• Mix of first-time and repeat founders
• Range of AI domains (LLMs, computer vision, agents, infrastructure)
• Geographic diversity (Prague, broader Europe, diaspora)

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## Detailed Program

### Friday Evening - Arrival & Connection

16:00 - 18:00 | Arrival Window

• Shuttle runs from Golčův Jeníkov train station
• Check-in at château, room assignments
• Welcome pack with schedule, participant list, wifi info

18:00 - 19:30 | Opening DinnerIntimate, family-style meal in the main dining hall
19:30 - 20:15 | Welcome CircleFacilitated by host
Format:

• Brief introduction to the weekend vision (5 min)
• Round-robin introductions: Name, what you’re building, one thing you hope to explore this weekend (1 min each)
• Overview of the space, schedule flexibility, house guidelines
• Introduction to Spring Residency participants who’ll join us

20:15 - 22:00 | Lightning Talks & DrinksThe Green Room

• 6-8 volunteer participants give 5-minute lightning talks
• Topics: “What I’m building and why it matters” or “An AI opportunity I’m obsessed with”
• Informal, no slides required (but allowed)
• Purpose: Quick context on who’s in the room and conversation starters
• Non-alcoholic drinks, tea, snacks

22:00+ | Open Social Time

• Fireplace room available for continued conversations
• Some people will go deep on technical topics, others just get to know each other
• Flexible bedtime - respect quiet hours after midnight

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### Saturday - Build & Explore Day

08:00 - 09:00 | BreakfastSelf-serve, informal
09:00 - 09:45 | Morning Energizer: The State of PlayMain Hall
A framing conversation (not a lecture) about:

• What’s happening in AI right now that matters for entrepreneurs
• Where the puck is going in the next 12-24 months
• What Europe’s unique advantages are
• Opportunities people are seeing but not building yet

Format: 15-min scene-setting + 30-min moderated discussion with the group
09:45 - 10:00 | Break & Regroup
10:00 - 12:30 | Project Sprint I: Formation & ExplorationMultiple spaces available
How It Works:

1. Idea Marketplace (30 min)

• Anyone can pitch a project/problem to work on (2 min each)
• Can be: your actual startup, a new idea to explore, a technical challenge, a strategic question
• Projects posted on board with names

2. Team Formation (15 min)

• Self-organize into groups of 3-6 people
• Balance: Some people work on their own projects, others join new explorations
• Solo work totally fine too

3. Sprint Work (90 min)

• Work on whatever you formed around
• Could be: building a prototype, designing architecture, strategic planning, market research, competitive analysis
• Facilitators circulate to help unstick groups
• Spaces: Main hall (collaborative energy), library (focused work), outdoor terrace (walking conversations)

Possible Project Types:

• Build an MVP using AI APIs
• Solve a technical architecture challenge
• Validate a business model hypothesis
• Map out a go-to-market strategy
• Design a user experience for an AI product
• Research a specific AI capability/limitation
• Pitch practice and feedback

12:30 - 14:00 | Lunch + Free TimeExtended break for eating, walking, resting

• Lunch served in dining hall
• Beautiful grounds for walking
• Quiet rooms available for introverts to recharge
• This is crucial recovery time - protect it

14:00 - 17:00 | Project Sprint II: Deep WorkContinue projects or reform new groups
Structure:

• Continue with morning groups OR reform around new questions
• Option to do “office hours” with specific experts in the group
• 10-minute standup at 14:00 to coordinate
• Open working time until 17:00

Optional Parallel Track (15:00-16:30):

• Founder Circle - Intimate discussion on founder mental health, fundraising, co-founder dynamics
• Technical Deep Dive - Pick a specific AI technical challenge to explore together
• These are opt-in for those who want structured conversation

17:00 - 17:30 | Afternoon Walk & ResetGuided group walk around the grounds

• Intentional break from screens
• Casual conversations while walking
• Optional, but encouraged

17:30 - 19:00 | Showcase & ReflectionMain Hall
Format:

• Each group shares what they explored (5 min each)
• Focus: What did you discover? What surprised you? What would you do next?
• Not about “winning” or perfect demos - about learning and sparking ideas
• Feedback and questions from group

19:00 - 20:30 | DinnerCelebratory meal together
20:30 - 22:00 | Evening Salon: AI FuturesThe Library
An open conversation exploring bigger questions:

• What does it mean to build AI companies responsibly?
• How do we think about AGI timelines as entrepreneurs?
• What’s the role of European values in AI development?
• Where do our individual ambitions meet societal impact?

Format: Fishbowl or open discussion (depending on energy)

• Rotating chairs in the center
• Anyone can join the conversation
• Facilitated to keep it generative, not debate-y

22:00+ | Late Night Sessions

• Hack Room - For those who want to keep building (available until 2am)
• Strategy Room - Deep conversations about specific challenges
• Fireplace Lounge - Social time, board games, informal chats
• Early to Bed Room - Quiet space respected after 22:30

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### Sunday - Integration & Next Steps

08:00 - 09:00 | Breakfast
09:00 - 10:30 | Workshop: From Idea to ActionMain Hall
A practical session on turning weekend insights into Monday momentum:
Part 1: Individual Reflection (30 min)

• Structured journaling prompts
• What’s one insight you had this weekend?
• What’s one thing you’ll do differently?
• What’s one relationship you want to continue?
• What’s one concrete next step?

Part 2: Commitment Partners (30 min)

• Pair up with someone you trust
• Share your next steps
• Exchange contact info and accountability check-in plan
• Set a 30-day follow-up call

Part 3: Ecosystem Building (30 min)

• What should the Prague AI community do next?
• Brainstorm regular meetups, reading groups, hack nights
• Volunteer for organizing next events
• Build the ongoing infrastructure

10:30 - 11:00 | Break & Pack
11:00 - 12:00 | Closing CircleMain Hall

• Go around: One word or phrase for your weekend
• Gratitudes and acknowledgments
• Brief close from host
• Group photo
• Information about staying in touch (Discord, WhatsApp group, next event)

12:00 - 13:00 | Final LunchCasual, people leaving on different schedules
13:00 - 15:00 | Departure Window

• Shuttle runs to Golčův Jeníkov train station
• Option to stay longer and join Spring Residency for a few more days (pre-arranged)