Modular WorldS
hackathon
$250,000+ in prizes
Build the systems that will power our future — secure, sovereign, intelligent, and open by design.
Registration Opens
May 15, 2025
at 12:00 PM EST
at 12:00 PM EST
Challenges Announced
June 5, 2025
at 12:00 PM EST
at 12:00 PM EST
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
July 6, 2025
at 9:00 PM EST
at 9:00 PM EST
Welcome to PL Genesis: Modular Worlds
A global hackathon from Protocol Labs to accelerate breakthroughs in the foundational layers of the internet.
From secure, censorship-resistant infrastructure to AI grounded in verifiable truth and economic systems that reward open collaboration, this hackathon challenges you to reimagine the digital stack for a freer, more intelligent world.
Join builders around the globe to prototype resilient tools, explore new primitives, and unlock the next era of human coordination. With $200,000 in prizes, mentorship from ecosystem pioneers, and the chance to join our Founders Forge accelerator, this is your gateway to shaping what’s next.
Partners in Innovation
This hackathon is made possible by our incredible partners—organizations at the forefront of innovation who are fueling every aspect of PL_Genesis: Modular Worlds.
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[HACKATHON TRACKS]
Explore the frontiers of open systems.
Each track represents a pillar of the new digital stack — choose your focus or weave them together to build the future.
01
Secure, Sovereign Systems.
Reclaim the foundations of trust.
Centralized servers, brittle certificates, and state-controlled chokepoints leave our data and speech exposed. This track invites builders to design resilient alternatives — from peer-to-peer messaging that survives network blackouts to zero-knowledge tools that protect privacy without compromising usability. Create infrastructure where users hold the keys, and truth can’t be unplugged.
02
AI & Autonomous Infrastructure
Ground intelligence in open, verifiable systems.
AI models are powerful, but without access to transparent, trusted data, they hallucinate more than they help. This track challenges you to build tools that give agents reliable footing — like open knowledge graphs, on-chain provenance tools, and lab assistants that understand scientific workflows. Build smarter machines by grounding them in systems that anyone can verify.
03
Decentralized Economies, Governance & Science
Unlock coordination at the speed of the internet.
Innovation is still bottlenecked by slow grants, siloed institutions, and invisible contributions. This track calls for programmable treasuries, real-time reputation proofs, crypto-native public goods tools and open standards for DeSci. Whether you’re tipping code reviewers, running local quadratic funding rounds or building a knowledge-graph stack for science, help build economic engines that reward open collaboration.
[Prizes]
Fresh Code Category: $100,000
Each of the prizes below will be awarded to projects built entirely during the duration of the hackathon.
$25,000
First Place
$15,000
second place
$10,000
Third place
Existing Code Category: $100,000
Awarded to projects that meaningfully integrate existing technologies but demonstrate new, impactful innovation aligned with the hackathon’s themes.
$50,000
first place
$30,000
second place
$20,000
third place
[Judges]
Meet the Judges
Explore our lineup of keynote speakers and industry leaders who will inspire and enlighten at the conference.
More judges, speakers and mentors coming soon.
Juan Benet
Founder, CEO @ protocol labs
Molly Mackinlay
Engineering and research lead @ protocol labs
Registration Opens
15 MAy 2025
12:00 pM
12:00 pM
judging
07 july- 10 july
challenges revealed
05 June 2025
12:oo pM est
12:oo pM est
closing ceremony
16 July 2025
12:00 pM est
12:00 pM est
Project submission deadline
06 July 2025
9:00 PM est
9:00 PM est
Winners Announced
16 July 2025
12:00 PM est
12:00 PM est
PL Genesis Hackathon is Protocol Labs’ flagship virtual hackathon for Summer 2025—a rallying point for the global builder community to engage with Protocol Labs’ ecosystem, showcase your skills, and compete for over $250kK in prizes! Virtual hackathons are great to provide opportunities for builders globally but it makes it even harder for you to form teams with like-minded and strong teammates that are within your same country!
So we’re bringing PL Genesis Roadshow right to your doorstep - come by to understand what Protocol Labs and our partners are looking for. But more importantly, pitch yourself and find strong team mates in your local city and represent!
toronto
Meetup
07:00 AM – 11:00 AM EDT
University Summit Kickoff - BAF x Protocol Labs
Join us for the official kickoff of the BAF University Summit, co-hosted by Protocol Labs. This high-energy welcome session is all about building valuable connections and discovering the many pathways available to you.
HOST
BAF University & Protocol labs
Duration
240 min
Industry
web3
Toronto
meetup
7:30 PM - 12:00 AM EDT
After Hours by Protocol Labs Day 2, hosted by FIL-B
With many startups, foundations, and research groups in the network, this is an opportunity to meet fellow members, explore collaborations, and share your passion in a relaxed atmosphere. There’s no agenda—just good vibes, great company, and space to brainstorm or simply hang out.
HOST
fil-b
Duration
410 min
Industry
web3
Ho Chi Minh
Meetup
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM GMT+7
PL Genesis Roadshow
We’re bringing PL Genesis Roadshow right to your doorstep - come by to understand what Protocol Labs and our partners are looking for. But more importantly, pitch yourself and find strong team mates in your local city and represent!
HOST
Ian Chong
Duration
150 min
Industry
web3/AI
