Call for Applications: QNX Global Hackathon 2026 Offers $50,000 in Prizes
QNX, a subsidiary of BlackBerry Limited, has announced the launch of its inaugural Global Developer Hackathon 2026, offering developers worldwide the opportunity to compete for a share of $50,000 in cash prizes.
The six-week virtual competition, which commenced on November 2, 2026, is designed to encourage software developers, technology enthusiasts, students and engineering professionals to build innovative applications and tools using the QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0.
The competition will focus on innovations in mission-critical embedded systems, including robotics, medical technology, automotive software, mobility solutions, low-level software and developer tools.
Participants can enter individually or as teams and will have the opportunity to showcase their technical abilities, contribute to open-source development and compete for cash awards across several categories.
According to QNX, the initiative is part of its broader QNX Everywhere programme, which provides developers, students and researchers with free access to QNX technology for non-commercial use.
Overview of the QNX Global Hackathon 2026
- Competition: QNX Global Developer Hackathon 2026
- Organiser: QNX, a division of BlackBerry Limited
- Competition Format: Virtual/Online
- Total Prize Pool: $50,000
- Eligible Participants: Developers, students, individuals, teams and organisations
- Technology Platform: QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0
- Application Period: November 2 – December 15, 2026
- Submission Deadline: December 15, 2026
- Winner Announcement: February 4, 2027
- Application Portal: https://qnx.devpost.com/
About the QNX Global Hackathon
The QNX Global Hackathon is an international technology competition created to expand the QNX developer ecosystem and encourage the development of innovative software solutions for industries that depend on reliable, secure and real-time computing systems.
QNX technology is used in several mission-critical environments, including automotive systems, medical devices, industrial equipment, robotics and other embedded applications.
Through the hackathon, participants are expected to develop functional software projects that run on or support the QNX 8.0 platform.
The competition also provides an opportunity for developers to gain practical experience with professional-grade embedded software technology while connecting with the wider QNX developer community.
Benefits of Participating in the QNX Global Hackathon
Participants will have access to several opportunities, including:
1. Cash Prizes Worth $50,000
Successful participants will compete for a share of the $50,000 prize pool across the competition’s main categories and special awards.
The overall winner will receive $10,000, while other category winners and runners-up will receive cash awards.
2. Free Access to QNX Development Tools
Participants can access QNX Software Development Platform 8.0 through the QNX Everywhere initiative, which provides free non-commercial access to the technology.
3. Professional Recognition
Outstanding projects will receive recognition from QNX and may be featured through the company’s blog and social media platforms.
4. Mentorship and Networking
Selected winners in various categories will have opportunities to engage with senior QNX executives through exclusive coffee-chat sessions.
5. Developer Skills and Experience
Participants will gain practical experience building applications and tools for embedded systems, robotics, automotive technology and other industries.
Prize Categories and Awards
The QNX Global Hackathon offers a range of cash awards across different competition categories.
The prize distribution includes:
| Prize Category | Award |
|---|---|
| Grand Prize | $10,000 |
| Best Robotics and Medical | $4,000 |
| Best Automotive and Mobility | $4,000 |
| Best Low-Level Software | $4,000 |
| Best Developer Tooling and Host Tools | $4,000 |
| Best Open-Source Contribution and Ports | $4,000 |
| Robotics and Medical Runner-Up | $2,000 |
| Automotive and Mobility Runner-Up | $2,000 |
| Low-Level Software Runner-Up | $2,000 |
| Developer Tooling and Host Tools Runner-Up | $2,000 |
| Open-Source Contribution and Ports Runner-Up | $2,000 |
| Three Honourable Mentions | $1,000 each |
| Best Codelab/Tutorial | $3,500 |
| Best Use of QNX-Specific Technologies | $3,500 |
There will also be a Community Choice award, offering the winning project a feature on QNX’s blog and social media platforms, alongside QNX merchandise.
The grand prize winner will additionally receive an opportunity to appear on the Code the Future podcast and have a coffee chat with QNX CEO John Wall.
Eligibility Requirements
The QNX Global Hackathon is open to developers and technology innovators worldwide, subject to the competition’s official eligibility rules.
To participate, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old or meet the legal age of majority in their country of residence.
- Participate individually, as part of a team or through an eligible organisation.
- Be resident in a country or territory permitted under the competition rules.
- Develop a project that runs on or targets the QNX 8.0 platform.
- Submit original work that meets the competition’s technical and documentation requirements.
Teams and organisations must appoint an authorised representative to register and submit their projects.
Note: Residents of certain countries and territories are excluded under the competition’s rules because of applicable legal restrictions and sanctions. Applicants should review the official rules to confirm their eligibility.
What Participants Are Expected to Build
Applicants must develop a functional software project that runs on or targets QNX 8.0.
Eligible projects can fall into either of two categories:
- Software applications, drivers, libraries or components that operate on the QNX 8.0 real-time operating system.
- Host-based tools running on Windows, macOS or Linux that support the development, testing, analysis or management of software targeting QNX 8.0.
Projects may be developed for supported hardware or tested using QEMU.
Hackathon Project Categories
Participants must select one of the following categories when submitting their projects.
1. Robotics and Medical
This category focuses on real-time applications for robotics and medical systems where timing, safety and reliability are essential.
2. Automotive and Mobility
This category welcomes software solutions designed for automotive systems, connected vehicles and other mobility applications.
3. Low-Level Software
This category focuses on software components such as device drivers and board support packages developed using the QNX Driver Development Kit.
4. Developer Tooling and Host Tools
Participants can develop tools that simplify the process of building, testing, analysing and managing applications for QNX.
5. Open-Source Contributions and Ports
This category encourages developers to port existing open-source projects to QNX or contribute improvements to the wider QNX open-source ecosystem.
Required Submission Materials
Participants are expected to provide the following materials:
- Public Code Repository: A link to the project’s source code hosted on GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket. The repository must be publicly accessible and include an open-source licence.
- Project Description: A written explanation of the project’s features, functionality and intended purpose.
- Demonstration Video: A public YouTube video of less than three minutes showing the project working on its intended device or platform.
- Build and Run Instructions: Clear instructions identifying the QNX version, target hardware or QEMU environment, and development tools used.
- Project Evidence: The submission must demonstrate how the project genuinely uses or supports QNX 8.0.
Projects must be original work created during the competition period or existing projects that have been significantly updated since the hackathon commenced on November 2, 2026.
All submission materials must be in English or accompanied by the required English translations.
How to Apply for the QNX Global Hackathon 2026
Interested developers can participate by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official Hackathon Portal
Go to the QNX Global Hackathon page on Devpost:
Step 2: Register for the Competition
Click the Join Hackathon button and create a free Devpost account or sign in using an existing account.
Step 3: Access QNX Development Tools
Obtain free access to QNX Software Development Platform 8.0 through the QNX Everywhere initiative.
Developer resources are available at:
https://qnx.software/en/developers/get-started/qnx-everywhere
Step 4: Develop Your Project
Build a functional application, software component or developer tool that runs on or supports QNX 8.0.
Choose one of the five competition categories that best matches your project.
Step 5: Prepare Your Submission
Create a public code repository and prepare your project description, demonstration video and technical documentation.
Step 6: Submit Your Project
Return to the Devpost competition portal, complete the submission form and upload all required information before the deadline.
Applicants should review the official competition rules to ensure that their projects meet all technical, intellectual property and submission requirements.
Selection Criteria
Projects will be evaluated by a panel of QNX experts based on four major criteria:
- Technological Implementation: The quality of the software, technical execution and effective use of QNX 8.0.
- Design: The overall functionality, completeness and user experience of the project.
- Potential Impact: The project’s ability to address real-world problems in industries supported by QNX technology.
- Innovation and AI Creativity: The originality of the idea and the creativity demonstrated in developing the solution.
Community voting will also determine the recipient of the Community Choice award.
Application Deadline
The application and project submission deadline for the QNX Global Hackathon 2026 is December 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Judging and community voting are scheduled to take place from January 15 to January 29, 2027, while winners are expected to be announced on or around February 4, 2027.
Interested developers, students and technology innovators are encouraged to register, develop their projects and submit their entries before the closing date.
Official Application Link
Interested participants can access the competition details, register and submit their projects through the official portal:
Application Portal: https://qnx.devpost.com/
QNX Developer Resources: https://qnx.software/en/developers/get-started/qnx-everywhere
Participation is free, and no purchase or payment is required to enter the competition.
