​sub0 is the hack that helps builders get funded by bringing together technical & non-technical teams in a 72-hour sprint.

$50,000 in prizes.

​3 days to prototype. 30 days of mentorship to launch. Increase your chances to get funded.

Are you ready for the challenge?

​🚀 POLKADOT MAIN TRACK - $16k + post-hackathon mentorship programme

​A prize pool split for builders serious about taking their submissions past the hackathon arena. Either come with a dusty idea you started at a previous hackathon and keep shipping it. Or focus on getting your idea ready for development. Winners enter a 30 day accelerator program with top mentor support.

​💿 ARKIV MAIN TRACK - $10k

​Hack on a state of the art, Ethereum based, cost efficient data layer where you control your data. Your job is to imagine what’s possible with Arkiv by exploring what you can achieve with the Arkiv SDKs.

​Stack up additional prizes on-top of the main track prizes 👇

​Hyperbridge - $5k

​Best use of the Hyperbridge SDK for storage queries

​🥇 1st Prize: $3,000
🥈 2nd Prize: $1,500
🥉 3rd Prize: $500

​Kusama - $5k

​Best On-chain Art and Social Experiments

​🥇 1st Prize: $3,000
🥈 2nd Prize: $1,500
🥉 3rd Prize: $500

​XX Network - $9k worth in tokens

​Learn post-quantum encryption technology. Details TBA.

​Marketing Track: $5,000

​ In partnership with the Web3 Marketing Hackathon, marketers can enter the marketing track and earn 5,000 USD in Polkadot bounties for the best GTM strategy or killer campaign.

• ​24hr access to sub0 conference and hacker spaces

• ​Private chef serving up delicious specialities

• ​Support from 15+ mentors who've shipped real products

• ​The push you need to launch an MVP post-hackathon

​MENTORSHIP

​Get support from real builders on-site from technical and non-technical seasoned founders, product managers, marketers and top of the industry developers.

​Post-Hack Accelerator Program (for Main Track winners only):

• ​Weekly 1-on-1 calls with mentors who won't let you quit

• ​Office hours for when you're stuck

• ​A structured path from prototype to fundable product

• ​An opportunity to apply to further funding with your projects

• ​Hacking starts: Friday Nov 14th at 11:00 AM

• ​Submissions due: Sunday Nov 16th at 12:00 PM

• ​Polkadot Main Track: Must include Milestone 2 Plan to win

• ​Bounties: One project can win multiple. See specific requirements per bounty.

​Team Dynamics:

• ​One person on-site minimum (remote teammates welcome)

• ​Solo? Make sure to attend our team formation activity, we'll help you find your team

• ​Diverse teams encouraged: developers, designers, marketers, product minds, and that one friend who "has ideas."

​How Prizes Work:

• ​Partner bounty: prizes paid out as per eligibility conditions once the hackathon ends

• ​Polkadot Main track: 50% paid once hackathon ends, 50% when you deliver Milestone 2

• ​No delivery = no second payment — yes, we're serious about shipping

​

​FAQ

​Q: Who can participate?

​A: Anyone interested in building in Web3. All expertise levels and roles welcome (Developers, Designers, Marketers, etc.). For prize eligibility, at least one team member must attend in person at Bubble Studio, Buenos Aires (November 14-16, 2025) to present to the judges.

​Q: Do I need a team?

​A: No. Team formation happens Day 1. You can hack solo but we recommend teams of 3 (one Developer, one Product Lead, one Marketer). You can also bring an existing team, that’s fine.

​Q: What should I build?

​A: For the Polkadot Main Track, projects demonstrating Polkadot ecosystem innovation with post-hackathon viability, strong technical execution, and clear continuation (Milestone 2 plan). For all other bounties, specific criteria are outlined for each partner.

​Q: Can I use existing code?

​A: Yes, if you add substantial new features during the hackathon. Only work from November 14-16 is evaluated.

​Q: What are the prizes?

​A: Main Polkadot Track ($16k): split halfway between SHIP-A-TON and IDEA-TON sub-tracks and the Arkiv Main Track ($10k): top prizes $4k and $1.5k + six $750 micro-bounties for best uses of Arkiv SDK

​Partner Bounties (stackable):

• ​XX Network: $9k (in XX tokens for best privacy projects)

• ​Kusama: $5k (for best Art/Social Experiments ideas)

• ​Hyperbridge: $5k (for best use of SDK for cross-chain storage queries)

• ​Marketing: $5k ($3k, $1.5k, $500)

​Bounty stacking encouraged!

​Q: How does the Polkadot main track prize work?

​A: 50% paid immediately, 50% after completing 6-week mentorship accelerator program. Milestone 2 planning = 25% of judging score.

​Q: How do partner bounties work?

​A: Separate requirements, present at partner tables for judging, no M2 plan needed. Paid by partners within 2 weeks.

​Q: What support is included?

​A: Mentoring from DevRels/ecosystem experts, builder sessions, UI/UX guidance, W3F grants guidance, and networking.

​Q: What are the judging criteria for the Polkadot main track?

​A: Four criteria at 25% each: Product Vision, Market Research, Technical Execution, and Milestone 2 Plan.