Ctrl+Space: An Expo x ReactVision Hackathon
Build a real AR/VR app with React Native - no Unity, no native rewrite, just the stack you already know.
ReactVision and Expo are teaming up for a hackathon built for developers who want to go past the demo stage. One fixed build week, four cities, real judges, and a direct path into Expo's App Awards if you ship something worth entering.
We're looking for real AR/VR depth: geospatial anchoring, cross-platform native builds, spatial experiences that actually work in the physical world. Bring an idea, bring a team (or fly solo), and build something that runs on iOS, Android, and Quest from one codebase.
🎮 Details
Who can participate: All skill levels welcome · Individuals & teams (up to 4)
Open globally, in-person finals in SF, London, Toronto, and Bangalore
📅 Build Week: Oct 3–11, 2026
📍 Format: Global, virtual build week + in-person regional finals
🏆 4 prize tiers · Guaranteed perks for all participants
Ctrl+Space is a joint hackathon between ReactVision and Expo, focused on building real AR/VR experiences using React Native : no Unity, no native rewrites, no starting from scratch.
This hackathon invites developers, designers, and builders to create next-generation spatial computing experiences across industries like education, real estate, retail, training, and enterprise.
✨ What Makes Ctrl+Space Special
🌐 Focus on real spatial computing : geospatial anchors, cloud anchors, and genuine device-agnostic builds, not surface-level AR effects
🧠 Build with code (ViroReact + MCP server) or no-code (ReactVision Studio) : pick the path that fits you
🤝 Open for both solo participants and teams
🚀 Direct eligibility for Expo's App Awards if you ship something real
🛠 What You Can Build
You can create:
AR/VR experiences using ViroReact, ReactVision Studio, or the MCP server
Geospatial or Cloud Anchor–based experiences : persistent, real-world-anchored, not single-session
Cross-platform builds : one codebase shipping to phone and Wearables alike
Spatial training, education, or simulation experiences
Agent-built apps : use an AI coding agent connected to the ViroReact MCP server to scaffold and validate your scene
Infrastructure or tooling that uses Expo's build/deploy stack alongside ReactVision
🎯 Important Creation Guidelines
To ensure quality and consistency across submissions:
Build your AR/VR experience using ViroReact, Studio, or the MCP server
For education or training use cases: include a clear walkthrough (voiceover or on-screen explanation) so judges understand the concept
For other use cases (retail, real estate, enterprise, etc.): show the experience running and interacting in a real environment, not just a static render
⚠️ Important Note
🚫 Submissions without a demo video will NOT be considered
Also share on social media and tag @reactvision and #Ctrl+Space
Requirements
📦 Submission Requirements
To submit a valid project, include:
🔹 Basic Details
Project Title & Description
Problem Statement
Solution Overview
Target Users / Industry
🎥 Demo Video (Mandatory – 2–4 mins)
Your video must clearly explain:
What you built
How it works
Why it matters
🖼 Additional Assets
Screenshots / Images (at least 2)
Tech Stack Used
GitHub / Source Code Link
Platform Details (iOS, Android, Meta Quest, or Web)
Prizes
1st Place – Grand Winner : 1 team
[Cash/credit amount TBA]
Featured case study on ReactVision + Expo channels
Direct eligibility for Expo App Awards
[Hardware/device prize : TBA]
1-year ReactVision Pro tier + extended Expo credits
2nd Place : 1 team
[Amount TBA]
6-month ReactVision Pro tier + Expo credits
Runner-up feature on our channels
3rd Place : 1 team
[Amount TBA]
3-month ReactVision Pro tier + Expo credits
All Participants
Free ReactVision Studio access
1-month Expo Starter plan upgrade
Access to the shared Expo × ReactVision Discord
Judges from
ReactVision
Expo judge
Meta
Pico
Judging Criteria
Innovation & Creativity: Originality of the idea and uniqueness of approach to the problem space.
Technical Implementation: Effective, skillful use of ViroReact, Studio, geospatial/cloud anchors, or the MCP server.
Real-World Impact: Applicability to a real industry or use case : not just a technical demo.
Design & Experience: Immersion quality, usability, and how the interaction actually feels.
Presentation & Demo Quality: Is the demo video clear, concise, and does it actually prove the thing works?
Join fellow builders for technical onboarding, casual workshops, team formation, focused build time, and feedback as you participate in the Expo x ReactVision Hackathon here: https://luma.com/ReactVision