for the builders
the short version, in three steps.
1 · nowsponsors fill the pool
every spot on the board is a sponsor's bid. that's the sponsorship pool. the prize fund comes out of it.
2 · september 1the brief drops
what to build, the deadline, the judges and the prize split, all published before the clock starts. build with any tools you like. AI is expected.
3 · after the windowjudges rank, winners split
three judges score every entry against the published criteria. the prize fund splits evenly across the three categories, one winner each.
follow the games
join the newsletter · the results and winners, by email · how it works
quick answers
- how do i register?
- the entry form is on the main page: your name, a public demo URL and a public github repo. free, takes a minute.
- is it really free to enter?
- yes, always. paying never improves anyone’s chances. sponsors buy visibility on the board, not outcomes.
- is there only one winner?
- there are three prize categories and the prize fund splits evenly across them, a third each. one winner per category, so three winners minimum. judges may also name runners-up, with no money attached. winners are announced on the games page by October 15.
- can i use AI to build?
- expected, even. use whatever tools you want. the work has to happen inside the build window and you submit it as your own.
- who judges?
- three independent judges, announced on the page, scoring against criteria published up front. sponsors never judge and can't affect outcomes. we don't score either.
- do you keep any of the money?
- no. The prize fund is 100% of the sponsorship money, less any third-party payment processing fees (such as Stripe), and none of the sponsorship money goes to us.
- who owns what i build?
- you do. entering gives us and the sponsors no rights over your code or your product.
- solo or team?
- either. one entry per person or team per game.
this is the plain english version · the Build Games terms are the contract · 18+, void where prohibited · back to the board