About the Hackathon
# **π WCHL National Round 2025**
***Hack the Future, Build Your Legacy on ICP.***
π₯ Welcome to WCHL 2025 The World Computer Hacker League (WCHL) 2025 is a global hackathon led by the ICP HUBS Network. This competition aims to identify, nurture, and showcase top developer talent within the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) ecosystem. Over the next 4 months, the initiative drives innovation while expanding the developer community and supporting impactful applications (Apps).
# π» How to Participate?
## **Register β Join β Build β Advance**
**β‘οΈ After you Register on DoraHacks**
Create your profile & officially enter the league [π [DoraHacks Link](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/wchl25-qualification-round/)]
β‘οΈ **MUST** **Join the Discord**
Choose your HUB or join as a Global Participant - Meet teammates - Get updates & support
[π [Discord Link](http://discord.gg/wchl25)]
β‘οΈ **Check all info and more on Notion**
[π [Notion Link](https://www.notion.so/WCHL-2025-20e4178a8afa80808c3ff59f92a4d2ba)]
β‘οΈ **Start Building**
Pick a track β Build with your team β Submit your project
*(3 weeks of building, 1 week of review)*
β‘οΈ **Advance to the Next Round**
Top 30% move forward, with new challenges and deeper support
β‘οΈ **Compete for the Global Finale** π
Ship to mainnet, pitch to investors, and win global recognition
# π§ What is WCHL?
This isnβt your average weekend hackathon. **WCHL (World Computer Hacker League)** gives you:
- **Time to build something real.** A 4-month journey ensures teams deliver polished, mainnet-deployed MVPs, not just prototypes, addressing the common issue of incomplete hackathon projects and zombie dApps.
- **Next-level support.** Direct access to ICP HUBS, DevRels, the DevRel Syndicate, and DFINITY engineers ensures teams overcome technical blockers and master ICP's unique development paradigm.
- **Global Stage with Local Roots.** Compete globally while receiving glocal support from ICP HUBS, fostering a sense of community and collaboration in the Web3 builder space.
- **Launchpad for Success.** Finalists gain grant interviews, investor exposure, and incubation opportunities, turning ideas into sustainable Web3 ventures.
- And yes, serious prizes and Incentives. Additional info: [[Link]](https://www.notion.so/WCHL-2025-20e4178a8afa80808c3ff59f92a4d2ba)
# ποΈ National Round Overview
- **Dates:** August 1 β August 23, 2025
- **Location:** 100% Online
- **Final Submission Deadline:** August 23, 2025 (*check DoraHacks for your local timezone*)
- **Next Round Info:** Top 30% advance to Regional Round (September 2025)
# π§© Hackathon Tracks
Choose one track that fits your idea β you can switch later, but each track offers custom support and scoring.
**Al** - Decentralized Intelligence
- Use the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) to build AI apps that are decentralized and transparent, like on-chain AI models or smart agents, ensuring security without middlemen. Shape AIβs future in a trustless, scalable way.****
**Bitcoin DeFi** - Financial Innovation
- Tap into ICPβs Bitcoin integration to create decentralized finance apps, enabling new ways to use Bitcoin, from lending to cross-chain deals, all with ICPβs speed and security. Itβs for innovators redefining finance.
**Fully On-Chain** - Pure Decentralization
- Build apps entirely on the ICP blockchain, like social platforms or DAOs, with no off-chain needs, ensuring full decentralization and user control. This track pushes blockchainβs limits.
**RWA** - Real-World Assets
- Use ICP to tokenize real assets like real estate or art on the blockchain, enabling shared ownership and new digital interactions. Itβs about connecting the physical and digital worlds efficiently.
**Open Track** - Unlimited Innovation
- For ideas outside other tracks, use ICP to explore new protocols or use cases. This track is for visionaries shaping Web3βs future with creative, cutting-edge solutions. Build Without Limits.
**Switching Tracks? Choose Wisely.**
Teams may choose to change their track during the competition, switching to another track *(e.g., Fully On-Chain , AI, or RWA)*, but this is a strategic decision.
Developers must weigh whether to continue refining their original project with comprehensive support from ICP HUBS, DevRels, the DevRel Syndicate, and DFINITY engineers throughout all stages or to start anew in a different track, potentially requiring additional effort to adapt.
# π° Prizes
1οΈβ£Β ***Qualification Round - $30,000*** across all countries for initial traction.
2οΈβ£Β ***National Round - $50,000*** across all countries with bounties for technical achievements and innovation.
3οΈβ£Β ***Regional Round - $70,000*** across all regions for regional leaders demonstrating technical skills and product-market fit.
4οΈβ£Β ***Global Finale Round - $150,000*** including special awards for innovation and ecosystem impact.
# π§βπ» Submission Requirements
All submissions go through DoraHacks then validated by ICP DevRels and Judges.
### What to Submit:
- Project Repository:
- Public GitHub repository with all project code. If private, must invite Antoine DevRel (Github Username: antoine-icp).
- Detailed README explaining the project (critical for evaluation).
- Summary, Overview, and Demo:
- Project summary, overview, and demo video.
- Functional demo video (max 10 minutes).
- Pitch Video (Mandatory):
- Team introduction.
- Motivation/problem statement.
- Solution description.
- Business Model.
- Future roadmap.
### π¨ Disqualification Warning π¨
A BUIDL that:
- did not set their Github on the BUIDL profile, nor made it public or invited Antoine DevRel;
- does not have a single component on the IC (doesn't have a dfx.json in the repo);
- does not have a commit since the start of the round;
- does not have a video Demo on the BUIDL profile;
- does not have a Pitch video on the BUIDL profile;
- is not a team, since it only has themselves on their BUIDL profile;
Will **not be eligible** for Prizes and risks not being qualified (top 30%)!
### π― How to Score Higher (Top 30% & Prize-Worthy Submissions)
- π₯ **Demo Video** β Should include a code walkthrough, with either **voiceover or subtitles**. If applicable, start with a **brief architecture overview**.
- πΌοΈ **Pitch Deck and Video** β Short pitch introducing the team, problem, solution, business model and roadmap.
- π **Live dApp on ICP Mainnet** β Project can be deployed, with **working canister IDs** provided.
- π§Ύ Strong **Documentation** β Should include setup instructions (for local dev), a general project description, how to integrate with it (if applicable) and how to contribute.
- π **Meaningful commits and features added since the start of the Round** β Show real build effort.
- π οΈ **Rich Features or High Code Quality** β Projects that are complete, polished, or creative tend to score better.
Clearly explain whatβs new this round and point to the specific features made during it.
π **More in the info resources tab** β Includes judging criteria and pro tips.
# π¬ Stay in the Loop
- Builder's Newsletter
- Weekly Tech & Non-Tech Sessions
- Team Spotlights & Community Resources
- Weekly Office Hours & Daily Support in the official [Discord channel](https://discord.gg/wchl25)
# π€ Final Word
The WCHL National Round is your shot to build something meaningful β and take it all the way to the global stage.
π **Register now. Start building August 1. Hack your way into Web3 history.**
LET'S BUILD! ππ₯