sub0 HACK — a 72hr, 3-day hackathon
The only hackathon where the real work begins after the event ends. 3 days to prototype. 30 days of mentorship to actually launch.
$15,000 in main track prizes + stacked bounties from partners
WHAT TO EXPECT
This isn't your typical hack-and-abandon event. sub0 is the springboard that transforms weekend warriors into funded founders. No other hackathon does this.
Pick Your Poison, Pick Your Tracks:
🚀 SHIP-A-TON - (2x $3750)
That project from 6 months ago? The one you swear is "almost ready"? Stop lying to yourself. Dust it off, bring it here, and finally push it live. This track is for builders ready to resurrect their graveyard of good ideas.
💡 IDEA-TON - (2x $3750)
Fresh ideas only. Meet your future co-founders at our team formation chaos. Pitch, plan, and prepare to actually build something people want. This is where killer ideas meet the right people.
What You Actually Get:
72 hours of pure building (sleep is optional)
Unlimited caffeine and calories
Mentors who've shipped real products
A tribe of builders who get it
The push you need to finally launch
30 days of hand-holding until you make it
MENTORSHIP
During the Hack: Real builders on-site 24/7. Not recruiters. Not "evangelists." Actual developers who've been where you are and shipped their way out.
Post-Hack: This is where sub0 breaks the mold. Winners don't just take the money and run:
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 product
Accountability that actually works
Bottom line: We're investing in your success, not your weekend project.
BOUNTIES
Main Track: $15,000
4 winning seats
$3,750 per team
Here's the catch: 50% now, 50% once you've completed your post-hackathon sprint
The Bounty Buffet (TBA): Stack prizes like a degen. Multiple partner bounties dropping soon. Build cross-ecosystem and collect them all.
Reality Check: All main track submissions must build on Polkadot. Come with ideas for any vertical, deploy your projects on Polkadot.
THE RULES
Team Dynamics:
One body on-site minimum (remote teammates welcome)
Solo? We'll fix that on Day 1
One team per human (no double-dipping)
What We Need From You:
A working prototype by Day 3 or a presentation of your idea, depending which track you're submitting to
A real plan for what happens next (Milestone 2)
The hunger to keep building after everyone goes home
How Money Moves:
Bounty winners: Cash in hand immediately
Main track: 50% to start, 50% when you deliver Milestone 2
No delivery = no second payment (we're serious about shipping)
Who Shows Up: Developers, designers, marketers, product minds, and that one friend who "has ideas." If you're tired of hackathons that end with a demo, you belong here.