Build In Public Scamathon - $3M for Builders

$3M for builders

We back founders who launch on Pump.fun, build in public,

and demonstrate visible momentum.

Manystrongideasnevergetachancetoexist.Pump.funoffersanalternativepathwherebuilderscantest,fund,andgrowprojectsopenly,withoutwaitingforapprovalfromtraditionalgatekeepers.
Thishackathonisdesignedforfoundersatanystageoftheirjourney.Teamsmayhaveanidea,aloosedirection,aworkingproductornothingmorethanastrongintuition.
Participantsareencouragedtolaunchtheircoinandletrealmarketparticipationdeterminewhethertheprojectisworthpursuingfurther.

Funding and categories

A $3M program funding 12 builders across three stages: Idea, MVP, and Product. Launch a token, build in public, and let the market determine winners.

Idea

This stage is for builders with an idea/concept and documented thesis or whitepaper. This includes solo builders, students, vibe-coders, and early teams.

0 → 1

Stage

Expectations:

Launch a token and validate your thesis through on-chain activity and community response.

Ship a working prototype that demonstrates problem-solution fit.

Rapid iteration on feedback and very open communication with early adopters is required.

Apply now

MVP

This stage is for teams with a working prototype or initial version that demonstrates core functionality.

1 → 10

Stage

Expectations:

Deliver a fully functional product and prove product-market fit.

Building in public to drive distribution is required.

Apply now

Product

This stage is for teams with a publicly available product that has proven product-market fit.

10 → 100

Stage

Expectations:

Scale user base and hit concrete growth metrics.

Generate market interest and demonstrate a path to revenue.

Apply now

Hackathon advisors from

Build in public

and earn support

Have an idea?

Create a coin

Launch a coin and let real market participation determine whether the project is worth pursuing further. Projects do not need to be crypto-native.

The focus is on founders who can move quickly, build transparently, and iterate based on real feedback.

Apply now

Build in public

Share updates

There is a strong preference for teams that build in public. Participants should be open with their audience about who they are, what they are building, and how it is progressing.

Teams are expected to share daily updates through social media, open group chats, or directly via pump.fun streams. Major milestones and releases are highly encouraged to be shared live on stream.

Apply now

Market feedback

Let the market decide

The market acts as the judge. If a project gains attention, trust, and momentum, it signals that the idea resonates. If it does not, founders are encouraged to abandon it early and move on.

Apply now

"This framework creates a new path for founders who would otherwise lack access to capital, and a new way for early supporters to participate at the very beginning of a project’s lifecycle."

Alon

Co-founder of Pump.fun

Hackathon timeline

Jan 19, 2026

Applications open

Teams launch their tokens, if not already live, and begin building.

Teams submit the application form along with a short introductory video. Building in public includes streaming progress, sharing regular updates, and engaging directly with users and traders.

20Days
21Hours
55Minutes
01Seconds

Feb 18, 2026

Winners announced

At least one project will be selected and receive funding by this date.

Future

Ongoing investment

This is an ongoing initiative designed to reward strong projects on the platform beyond the hackathon.

We recognize that some projects may require a longer timeframe to gain market attention and demonstrate traction.

Ready to build?

The first winning project will receive funding in the next four weeks.

Apply now

Contact us