Creative studio for emerging tech

We host, build & strategize.
We play by ear.

Play by Ear runs hands-on AI workshops for non-technical teams, hosts hackathons and conference stages around the world, and builds bespoke apps and microsites for launches, activations, and brand moments.

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What We Do

Our Solutions

Vibe Coding Workshops

Hands-on workshops for non-technical teams. In two hours, everyone builds, ships, and shares a live website with AI-assisted coding. No prior coding experience required.

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Hackathons & Events

Professional hosting, moderation, and onstage facilitation for AI, tech, startup, hackathon, demo day, and creative technology gatherings.

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Creative Lab

We build creative apps and online experiences that promote launches: interactive microsites, playful demos, generators, quizzes, games, calculators, and shareable pages that drive engagement.

Why Us

What Sets Us Apart

Our workshops are designed around a tangible output. Each participant ships something live by the end of the session and leaves equipped to keep building independently. The goal is applied skill, not just inspiration.

We are equally at home running advanced developer hackathons and introductory workshops for non-technical teams. Each format is designed specifically for the audience in front of us.

We are practitioners first: we build production-grade apps, microsites, and interactive experiences for client launches and brand moments, and that hands-on work informs everything else we deliver.

Trust

Our Clients

People

Meet the Team

Marlene Ronstedt

Founder & CEO

8+ years working at the intersection of emerging technology, creative strategy, and developer tools. Marlene designs AI workshops, hosts hackathons, and helps teams turn new tools into things people can actually build with.

Mark Nadal

Chief Strategy Officer

Mark is a skilled software developer known for his contributions to real-time technologies and open-source projects. He is also the founder of GunDB, an open-source, decentralized database engine.

Ready to Shape
the Future?

Book a discovery call if you want to talk it through live, or send the details if email is easier. Tell us what you're building, hosting, or trying to figure out, and we'll point you toward the right next step.

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