Avalanche Launches $1,000,000 Builder Competition, Build Games

What is Build Games?

Build Games is a six week global online builder competition created to get more crypto native builders experimenting, shipping, and launching new products on Avalanche.

Avalanche has spent years building strong infrastructure, grants programs, incubators, and tooling for developers. Build Games was created to increase the number of serious builders building on Avalanche and let the best projects emerge organically. The competition provides structure, deadlines, mentorship, and visibility so builders have the best chance at success.

Build Games is intentionally open-ended. There are no predefined tracks or themes. We want to see builders working on ideas that they truly believe in. Research shows that the top projects from large builder competitions come from builders who build something they believe in, and counter fit it to tracks after the fact. That includes new applications, primitives, tooling, infrastructure, consumer products, experiments, and things that do not yet fit into a clean category.

What matters more than the category is the intent. We are looking for projects that solve real problems, explore new onchain behaviors, or push the Avalanche ecosystem forward in some way. Early stage ideas are welcome as long as teams are serious about turning them into working products.

Funding and Prizes

$1M total prize pool, including:

• $100k Grand Prize

• $75k Runner-Up

• $50k Third Place

• Category / Miscellaneous Prizes

• Ongoing grants and ecosystem support after the event

How It Works

Build Games runs for six weeks and is structured around clear milestones to keep teams moving forward.

In the first stage, teams submit a short video pitching their idea, the problem they want to solve, and who is building it. This stage focuses on idea quality, originality, feasibility, and team background.

In the middle stages, teams are expected to build and ship. By week three, teams submit a working prototype or MVP with a demo and code. Feedback, workshops, and office hours are provided to help teams improve execution, product design, and technical architecture.

In the final stage, teams refine their product, outline a go to market plan, and present their progress to judges in a live showcase. Teams are evaluated on execution, impact, usability, innovation, and long term potential.

Throughout the competition, participants have access to workshops, mentors, office hours, and a global builder community designed to stay active even after the program ends.

Where to Apply

Applications open today, January 20th 2026, and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Spots are limited and submissions close once capacity is reached.

Apply here: https://build.avax.network/build-games

If you have been waiting for a reason to start building again, Build Games is meant to be that reason.