The world's biggest mobile hackathon for people who actually ship.

Shipaton 2026 is RevenueCat's global hackathon for builders launching real apps to real stores, competing for big prizes, and showing the world what they shipped.

Submissions close Sep 30 · 11:45pm PT

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Win cash, light up Times Square, and demo your app live in NYC

$740k+ in cash prizes
Invitation to App Growth Annual in NYC
Your app featured on a giant Times Square billboard
The opportunity to demo your winning app live in Times Square
Shippy trophy
Blog feature plus 9to5Mac and 9to5Google spotlight

A Shipaton winner accepting a gold Shippy trophy live on stage. — Live on stage
Trophy moments

A submitted app displayed on a giant digital billboard in New York City. — Times Square
Winning app billboard

You shipped it. Now meet the people who might use it.

Every Shipaton category winner who comes to New York can take part in Shipaton Demo Day on October 22. Demo your app to the public from a Times Square demo pod, hear candid reactions, and learn directly from potential users—with your winning billboard as the backdrop.

Times Square, New York City · October 22, 2026 · 10 AM–6 PM

Participation is optional and subject to the final shift schedule. Travel is included only where expressly stated in the applicable prize details.

Prize categories

21 categories. One big reason to ship.

From building in public to design, games, and growth - these prizes recognize creativity, impact, and the hustle that ships.

Grand Prize

For the app with the strongest traction and growth momentum.

More details

#BuildInPublic Award

For the most compelling build-in-public journey.

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Best Game Award

For the best mobile game shipped during Shipaton.

More details

RevenueCat Peace Prize

For the app with the biggest positive impact.

More details

RevenueCat Design Award

For exceptional product craft, design, and animation.

More details

Catvertising Award

Celebrates the most creative and effective use of ads as a monetization method.

More details

Next Gen Award

For student builders submitting a video and open-source code.

More details

HAMM Award (Help Apps Make Money)

For the smartest use of RevenueCat to drive revenue.

More details

Conflict of Interest Award

For the best eligible submission from RevenueCat or sponsor employees.

More details

Best Game Award

RevenueCat Peace Prize

RevenueCat Design Award

Catvertising Award

Next Gen Award

HAMM Award (Help Apps Make Money)

Conflict of Interest Award

Read full rules on DevPost

Next Gen gives student builders their own path to win.

This year we're making Shipaton more accessible than ever to students across the world with the Next Gen Award: a prize category for active students aged 13 and older. Participants submit a video and source code, removing the requirement for a paid Apple or Google developer account. Students under the age of majority where they live need consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Schools, clubs, and university programs can host Shipaton IRL campus events to bring students together, hand out Shipaton swag, and help classmates build toward their submissions.

Explore Next Gen Host a campus event

Shipaton IRL brings builders together around the world.

Shipaton is online, but it does not have to feel remote. Last year, builders brought Shipaton in person from Tokyo to St. Louis, Seoul to Barcelona, and London to Delhi. This year will be even bigger.

Host an event

Large group photo from a Tokyo Shipaton 2025 community event. — Tokyo

Speaker presenting to a seated audience at a Seoul Shipaton 2025 workshop. — Seoul

Audience gathered around a presenter at a Shipaton 2025 event in London. — London

Your Ship Kit grows as you ship.

Ship Kit now unlocks automatically: complete milestones (build, test, connect your store, earn your first revenue) and get sponsor perks sent to your inbox as you go. More info: https://www.shipaton.com/ship-kit

Sponsor offers: 27 perks
Progress points: 5 milestones
Delivery: Sent by email

See Ship Kit perks