Colosseum Eternal Award 2027
By Colosseum
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Quick Answer
A US$25,000 (about ₹23.75 lakh) non-dilutive USDC prize for the best crypto startup built in a four-week online sprint, with a path into Colosseum's accelerator.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Colosseum
- Application deadline
- 133d — 20 Mar 2027
- Location
- International
About this competition
The Colosseum Eternal Award is a US$25,000 prize (about ₹23.75 lakh), paid in USDC stablecoins, that Colosseum gives roughly every six months to the best crypto startup built in its "Eternal" four-week sprint. Colosseum is a San Francisco crypto venture firm that runs global online hackathons; Eternal is its always-on competition for the months between those hackathons. The current Eternal window is open now: you have to start your sprint by March 20, 2027.
What the program offers
The Eternal Award is US$25,000 (about ₹23.75 lakh) in non-dilutive stablecoins, which means you give up no ownership of your company to receive it. One winning team is chosen at the end of each Eternal period. The Nov-to-March window shown on the official page is followed by winners chosen in May.
Eternal is also a way into Colosseum's accelerator and venture fund. Teams that Colosseum considers for the accelerator hear a decision within 14 days of submitting. The accelerator offers US$250,000 of pre-seed funding from Colosseum's venture fund, a twelve-week hybrid programme (two weeks in San Francisco, ten weeks remote-friendly) and one-to-one mentoring. That money is an investment, not a grant, and accelerator funding requires the product to be built on Solana. The Eternal Award itself is not tied to any blockchain.
Who can apply
All crypto developers and startup founders can take part while Eternal is open, and chain choice does not affect the Award. To be eligible for the Award, the team must not have raised venture capital for the startup it submits. A product from an earlier Colosseum hackathon can be sent again only if it has materially changed since then, such as a clear pivot, months of real progress or meaningful traction.
The official page does not list any country restrictions. For an applicant based in India, the whole process is online, so there is no need to travel or relocate to enter. Because the prize is paid in USDC, you should be able to hold and cash out stablecoins legally where you live, and Indian recipients should check the tax treatment of crypto receipts with an adviser before applying. This programme suits small teams or solo founders who can ship a working crypto product in four weeks. It does not suit established companies that have already raised venture funding for the same product.
How to apply
- Create a Colosseum account (Google, GitHub or email sign-in).
- While Eternal is open, click "Start sprint" in the Eternal dashboard. Your four-week timer begins.
- Each week, upload a short update with a one-minute video on what you prioritised, shipped and found hard.
- In the final week, submit your product name and description, team background, GitHub repository, pitch video, technical demo and any other context about the product and business.
- Colosseum reviews submissions first-come, first-served and may invite shortlisted teams to a short interview.
A practical tip: treat the submission as a pitch to an investor. The page says judges read the pitch video first and look for a real onchain integration built by your own team during the sprint.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Colosseum judges look at founder and market fit, insight, product and execution, potential market size, how clearly the founders communicate, and whether a scalable business can be built. A panel of experienced crypto founders and the Colosseum team evaluates shortlisted products for the Award. Submissions stay private until evaluation is finished; after that you may choose to list your product publicly.
About Colosseum
Colosseum describes itself as the place where crypto founders start their journey. It runs two main hackathons a year (April to May and September to October), a cofounder-matching tool, and a venture fund it calls Colosseum Fund I. It says more than 80,000 builders have competed and its fund has invested in dozens of startups.
Things to check before you apply
- Dates: the official page says to start your sprint by March 20, 2027, with no time zone given. Do not leave it to the last day, because the sprint takes four weeks and you also need time to submit.
- The Award is paid in crypto, so its rupee value can move between the award and the day you sell.
- The page does not say how the winner is verified or paid, or whether tax forms are needed, so ask Colosseum before you rely on the money.
- Only one prize is given per period, so odds are low. Entering the main hackathons as well can strengthen a team's case for the accelerator.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The Eternal Award pays US$25,000 (about ₹23.75 lakh) in non-dilutive USDC stablecoins to one winning team each period. Teams that Colosseum selects for its accelerator can also receive US$250,000 of pre-seed funding from Colosseum's venture fund, which is an investment rather than a grant.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Colosseum reviews Eternal submissions first-come, first-served and may invite teams to a short interview. A panel of experienced crypto founders and the Colosseum team judges shortlisted products on founder and market fit, insight, product and execution, market size, communication and viability, and picks one winner for each semi-annual Award.
Application Process
- 1
Create account
Sign up for a Colosseum account to reach the Eternal dashboard.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter the Colosseum Eternal Award?
Any crypto developer or startup founder can start a sprint while Eternal is open. To be eligible for the Award, the team must not have raised venture capital for the startup it submits.
Can Indian founders and developers apply to Colosseum Eternal?
The official page does not list any country restrictions, and the whole process is online. An India-based team can sign up, run the sprint and submit without travelling.
How much is the Eternal Award?
The Award is US$25,000 (about ₹23.75 lakh), given to one winning team roughly every six months. It is described as non-dilutive, so you do not give up equity to receive it.
How is the Eternal Award paid?
The page says the Award is paid in non-dilutive stablecoins and labels it a USDC semi-annual award. It does not explain the payout steps, so ask Colosseum about verification and any tax forms before you apply.
What is the deadline for Colosseum Eternal?
The page says to start your sprint by March 20, 2027, and shows a countdown but no time zone. After you start, you have a four-week personal deadline to submit your product.
Is the Eternal Award a grant or equity?
The Award itself is non-dilutive, meaning you give up no ownership. The separate accelerator offers US$250,000 of pre-seed funding from Colosseum's venture fund, which is an investment and not a grant.
What do I have to submit?
You sign up for a Colosseum account, start a four-week sprint and send a one-minute progress video each week. In the final week you submit your product description, team background, GitHub repository, pitch video and technical demo.
Do I have to travel to San Francisco?
Eternal itself is online. Teams that join the accelerator later do a twelve-week hybrid programme that includes two weeks in San Francisco, but that is a separate step after selection.
Is it free to enter?
The page lists no entry fee. Signing up for a Colosseum account and starting a sprint are the only steps it describes.
When are Eternal winners announced?
The page's calendar shows Eternal winners chosen in May for the November to March window. Accelerator candidates are told within 14 days of submitting.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
