This is the main hackathon track for any project. Build the most compelling decentralized application you can. All projects qualify for prizes as long as your project meaningfully uses a blockchain network or technology.

To qualify, your project must include at least one on-chain state change (e.g. writing data to a smart contract, minting or updating tokens/NFTs, updating on-chain storage, or executing a transaction that changes state). Frontend-only demos without real on-chain interactions will not be eligible for prizing.

This track is for teams with no prior blockchain experience. All members of the team must be first-time attendees of the Midwest Blockathon or any Web3 focused hackathon.

To qualify, your project must include at least one on-chain state change (e.g. writing data to a smart contract, minting or updating tokens/NFTs, updating on-chain storage, or executing a transaction that changes state). Frontend-only demos without real on-chain interactions will not be eligible for prizing.

A business-focused case competition track running alongside the hackathon. Teams will work on a real-world case that connects blockchain concepts to strategy, operations, and go-to-market thinking.

1st place - $500
2nd place - $500
3rd place - $500

If you are doing the case competition, you're not eligible for any other prizes.

Prize: $500 1st place / $120 30th place
All track information can be found here and is subject to change:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m6qi1AgpCvWCJglS8KbFXhRsQo_OCGgyFxbJx56VZtc/edit?tab=t.0

Prize: $500 per winning team member
Build something that uses Pinata in a meaningful way — from agentic AI systems to full-stack applications, show what is possible when files are content-addressed.

OpenClaw for the hackathon:

We have a new OpenClaw product that can be used for the hackathon at: https://agents.pinata.cloud. It's a one-click deploy hosted OpenClaw instance. It requires a paid plan to use. Use code CLAW-BLOCKATHON at checkout to get one month free.

Judging focus:

Using Pinata as an integral part of your product or architecture.
Showcasing reliability, transparency, or ownership of data and user-generated content.
Prizes:

1st place – $500 per team member (up to 4 people = $2,000)

Prize: $1,500, $1,000, $500
Build an MVP that uses the XRP Ledger's core features to solve a real-world problem. We're especially interested in DeFi, privacy, and programmability, but any impactful use of XRPL on Testnet or Devnet is welcome.

Example directions:

Flows using stablecoins like RLUSD.
XRPL-native capabilities: lending/borrowing, smart escrow, multi-purpose tokens, batched transactions, TokenEscrow.
SDKs and tooling for other developers to integrate XRPL.
Payment-focused products: microfinance, subscription rails, tokenized real-world assets.
Submit a working, testable MVP publicly available on GitHub with a clear README.

Prizes:

1st place – $1,500
2nd place – $1,000
3rd place – $500

Google Swag Kits
Google Antigravity is an agentic development platform, evolving the IDE into the agent-first era.

Google Antigravity's Editor view offers tab autocompletion, natural language code commands, and a configurable, and context-aware configurable agent.

We want you to leverage Google Antigravity to build your hack this weekend. Enjoy free usage of the latest models through a free for students Google AI Pro plan. Be sure to add a description of how you used Google Antigravity in your project submission for consideration in this prize category.

Google Swag Kits
It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project?
Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice
Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers
Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more
Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?

Wireless Earbuds
Deploy natural, human-sounding audio with ElevenLabs. Create realistic, dynamic, and emotionally expressive voices for any project, from interactive AI companions to narrated stories and voice-enabled apps. ElevenLabs will empower you to build rich, immersive experiences without the need for actors or complex audio production, using simply the power of AI.

Integrate fully autonomous audio experiences into your hack with ElevenLabs and give your project a voice, along with giving your team the chance to win some wireless earbuds!

Ledger Nano S Plus
The world of development is evolving fast and Solana is leading the charge with a network built to handle all of your infrastructure needs. Forget high fees and slow confirmations, it’s time to build applications that are fast, efficient, and scalable.

Harness Solana's core advantages like blazing fast execution and near-zero transaction costs to make your hackathon ideas become real world projects. With Solana, the possibilities are endless.
Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions.
Design a sophisticated trading, lending, or decentralized exchange (DEX).
Build a prototype for supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume.
Show us how you can innovate with Solana for a chance to win some cool prizes for you and each member of your team!

Portable Screens
Vultr empowers hackers to bring their high-performance projects to life instantly; providing everything from the speed of one-click deployment and scalable cloud compute, to specialized Vultr Cloud GPUs that can power AI-driven applications. We want you to push the limits of what can be built when infrastructure is no longer the bottleneck!

Sign up for a Vultr account today and claim your free cloud credits! Take your next hack to the cloud with Vultr for a chance to win some awesome portable screens for you and your team!

M5Stack IoT Kit
MongoDB Atlas takes the leading modern database and makes it accessible in the cloud! Get started with a $50 credit for students or sign up for the Atlas free forever tier (no credit card required). Along with a suite of services and functionalities, you'll have everything you need to manage all of your data, and you can get a headstart with free resources from MongoDB University! Build a hack using MongoDB Atlas for a chance to win a M5Stack IoT Kit for you and each member of your group.