Bolt’s $1M+ Hackathon: A Big Bet on Founders

A million-dollar hackathon? Big risk, big reward, big potential

By Chris Kernaghan 1 min read
Bolt’s $1M+ Hackathon: A Big Bet on Founders

A hackathon with $1M+ in prizes?

That’s the kind of energy the startup space needs. Whether you're in it for the cash, the connections, or just the thrill of building something new, this could be worth a shot.

Why This Is Interesting

  1. Big Prizes Mean Big Talent
    A million-dollar prize pool attracts serious competitors. This isn’t your local weekend hackathon with a free T-shirt—expect a stacked lineup of builders, coders, and problem-solvers.
  2. World Record Potential
    If they pull this off, it’ll be the biggest hackathon ever. Being part of a record-setting event has its own appeal, especially if it brings media coverage and investor interest.
  3. A Chance to Stand Out
    If you’re an early-stage founder, hackathons are an underrated way to get noticed. Winning, or even just making it to the finals, can open doors.

A Few Things to Watch

Who’s Funding the Prizes?

A million-dollar prize pool doesn’t appear out of nowhere. Is it sponsorship-backed? Venture-funded? The details aren’t clear yet.

What’s the Prize Structure?

Cash? Equity? Credits? Knowing what’s actually on the table matters before you commit.

What’s Bolt.new?

Bolt is a new player in the hackathon space, making a bold entrance with a $1M+ prize pool. They’re looking to attract top talent and establish themselves quickly. No red flags so far, but it's always good to verify details.

Find out how they went from zero to $40m ARR in months.

Should You Sign Up?

If you love building and competition, this looks like a solid opportunity. Even if you don’t win, networking at an event like this could be valuable.

We're curious to see how it plays out. If you end up joining, drop your thoughts in We Are Founders!