BNB Chain, in collaboration with YZi Labs, has announced an ambitious city-to-city hackathon series, offering developers a unique opportunity to access their $1 billion Builder Fund. This initiative, titled the BNB Hack: Local Series, aims to transform innovative ideas into tangible Web3 projects by providing resources, mentorship, and a platform for global visibility, according to BNB Chain.
The hackathon series is designed to expedite the journey of builders from concept to execution. By partnering with YZi Labs, this initiative connects participants directly with funding, incubation, and long-term growth opportunities within the BNB Chain ecosystem. The series aims to empower local builders and potentially elevate them to global leadership positions.
Each hackathon event is a comprehensive package offering mentorship from seasoned founders, access to the $1B Builder Fund, and incubation opportunities via the MVB Program within EASY Residency. Participating teams can expect visibility across BNB Chain’s global ecosystem and financial support of up to $50,000 in Kickstart ecosystem funding for top-performing teams.
The series will commence in Buenos Aires this November, followed by events in Bangalore, Johor Bahru, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong, with plans to expand to more cities in 2026. Each city event will feature two days of live hacking sessions, technical workshops, product demonstrations, and networking opportunities with investors and ecosystem leaders.
Participants can choose from eight tracks to focus their projects, including Trading, RWA (Real World Assets), AI, DeSci (Decentralized Science), DeFi, Payments, Wallets, and Regional Impact. These categories are designed to push boundaries and reflect local trends, encouraging innovative solutions that address real-world challenges.
The top teams from each city will receive cash prizes, mentorship, and fast-track interviews for the MVB program within EASY Residency. Additionally, they will gain potential investment access through the $1B Builder Fund. The hackathon also invites universities, incubators, and developer communities to join as regional partners, fostering a collaborative environment for innovation.
Registration for each hackathon opens two weeks prior to the event, allowing teams to begin building remotely. Projects must be deployed on or connected to BNB Smart Chain or opBNB. Submissions will be judged based on design, scalability, innovation, and integration. For those unable to attend in person, a global online hackathon, BNB Hack, is also available.
