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Polkadot Hub—a dedicated, unified chain that enables permissionless smart contract deployment and is EVM-compatible, allowing developers to deploy Solidity smart contracts directly on Polkadot for the first time. It consolidates core system functions—DOT token, staking, governance, bridges—into one streamlined environment.

Your application on Polkadot Hub can:

• Communicate seamlessly with existing parachains
• Bridge and interact with other EVM-compatible chains
• Leverage XCM (Cross-Consensus Messaging) as a native feature, not an afterthought
• Build once, and scale everywhere—across the Polkadot ecosystem and beyond

This hackathon is co-led by OpenGuild and Web3 Foundation (W3F), with support from Polkadot ecosystem partners, regional community leaders, and global accelerators.

Anyone can join, including:

• Developers (Web2 or Web3)
• Designers
• Product managers
• Students
• Startup founders

You do not need prior Polkadot experience.

Yes, all the activations - workshops, hacking, and mentoring - are online

• Start opening register - February 16, 2026
• Start the hacking period - March 1, 2026
• End projects submission - March 20, 2026
• Demoday, March 24,25, 2026

During the online hacking phase, teams will:

• Build their MVP
• Join weekly office hours with mentors
• Receive technical and product feedback
• Share progress via Discord standups

You can build anything relating to AI, DeFi, and consumer products that solve a particular problems on application layer. However, we encourage you find and build an idea come from this curated list that we prepared that generate better value proposition for the ecosystem.

Join the 30,000 USD prize pool

• Get supported with application curation by OpenGuild for future DeFi Builders Program.
• To be plugged into the marketing pipeline (social posts, AMAs, newsletters, user acquisition campaigns, meet ups promotion) from Polkadot Officials, Polkadot APAC, OpenGuild, and Local/Ecosystem Partners.
• A dedicated founder-led marketing video campaign.
• Get prioritized to be assessed audit subsidies via Polkadot Assurance Legion. (If your project is eligible - read more here)

Projects are evaluated based on:

• Technical implementation
• Use of Polkadot Hub features
• Innovation & impact
• UX and adoption potential
• Team execution and presentation

Depending on your stack:

• Solidity (EVM) - focused programming languages
• Frontend: React, Next.js, Vue, etc.

Yes, as the Hackathon is online, you have to present at the DemoDay, have a strong pitchdeck, open camera of the presentor, to be eligible to win the hackathon.

You'll get support via:

• OpenGuild's Discord help channels
• Polkadot Hackathon Telegram chat
• Weekly office hours
• Direct mentor feedback through any platforms that fit you.
• Community AMAs

You will submit via the hackathon platform through "Register as Hacker", including:

• GitHub repository (have to be open-source)
• Project description
• Demo video (1-3 minutes)
• Pitch deck (optional but recommended)