Pump.fun introduces its $3M Build in Public Hackathon

The popular Solana-based cryptocurrency platform Pump.fun launched its new investment arm, Pump Fund, on Tuesday. The firm stated that the new investment arm will be used for funding startups. 

Pump.fun hopes its new investment arm will advance the platform’s startup ecosystem by aligning with projects for the long term. The firm also introduced its $3 million Build in Public Hackathon.

Pump.fun introduces its $3M Build in Public Hackathon

The digital asset launchpad revealed that its first initiative will be the BiP Hackathon. The hackathon was established to fund 12 projects with $250,000 at a $10 million valuation. The firm also stated that the funds are aimed at giving mentorship with Pump.fun’s founders and more.

The firm acknowledged that the hackathon is different due to its tokenization initiative. It said that the initiative allows the market to be the judge, rather than projects having to please VCs for funding. The cryptocurrency launchpad maintained that users of the 12 funded projects will fund the projects by betting on them early. 

The new investment arm also comes with a flurry of eligibility requirements for projects. Participants will be required to build a project and launch a token on the digital asset launchpad. 

They are required to own at least 10% of the token’s supply. Participants are also required to build in public for transparency, with Pump.fun encouraging posting on X and forming a Community & Streaming initiative.

The firm noted that there’s a strong preference for teams that build in public. Pump.fun believes that participants should be open with their audience about who they are, what they are building, and how the project is progressing. 

The firm expects participants to share daily updates through social media, open group chats, or directly via Pump.fun streams. Pump.fun also encouraged major milestones and releases to be shared live on stream.

The cryptocurrency platform also confirmed that projects do not need to be crypto-native or build a crypto-related project. Pump.fun acknowledged that it’s looking for projects across all maturities, verticals, and levels of traction. 

Pump.fun sets hackathon deadline to four weeks

Applications for teams to launch their tokens (if not already live) and begin building opened on January 19, 2026. Teams must submit their application forms along with a short introductory video. Pump.fun also confirmed the first winner will be announced by the 30th day of the hackathon, on February 18, 2026.

The digital asset platform added that it will choose winners by assessing the long-term viability of a project, rather than from product or social traction. Pump.fun stated that it wants to see teams validating their ideas by shipping quickly and openly communicating their plans. The firm also maintained that organic traction is greater than connections and fluff.

Pump.fun noted that many strong ideas never get a chance to exist in the crypto industry. The firm said the initiative offers an alternative path where builders can test, fund, and grow projects openly, without waiting for approval from gatekeepers.

The digital asset platform acknowledged that the hackathon is designed for founders at any stage of their development journey. Pump.fun also encouraged participants to launch their token and let real market participation determine whether the project is worth pursuing further.

Pump.fun acknowledged that the initiative is designed to reward strong projects on the platform beyond the hackathon. The firm also recognized that some projects may require a longer timeframe to gain market attention and demonstrate traction.

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