QNX Global Hackathon 2026
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Quick Answer
BlackBerry's online QNX hackathon for software built on the QNX 8.0 real-time OS. Grand prize US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh) in cash. Submit by 15 December 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- BlackBerry QNX
- Application deadline
- 39d — 16 Dec 2026
- Location
- International
About this competition
The QNX Global Hackathon 2026 is an online hackathon sponsored by BlackBerry Ltd, the company behind the QNX real-time operating system, and run on the Devpost platform. You build a working software project that runs on or targets QNX 8.0 (QNX Everywhere). The grand prize is US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh) in cash, and submissions close at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on 15 December 2026, which is 12:30 AM IST on 16 December 2026.
This is a software build contest, not a funding round for a company. It suits developers and embedded, automotive, robotics, medical-device and tooling teams. India is not on the list of excluded places in the rules, so Indian individuals, teams and registered companies can enter.
What the program offers
All prizes are cash. The Grand Prize is US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh), and it comes with a podcast episode and a coffee chat with the QNX CEO. Each of the five categories has a US$4,000 winner and a US$2,000 runner-up. Three honourable mentions receive US$1,000 each, and two bonus prizes of US$3,500 go to the best codelab or tutorial and to the best use of QNX-specific technologies. The listing puts the total at about US$50,000.
Free access to QNX SDP 8.0, the software development platform, is available for the hackathon, so you do not need a paid licence to build your entry. The prizes are a contest reward, not an investment, so the source we have mentions no equity being taken.
Who can apply
Individuals aged 18 or older, teams and registered organisations can enter. The rules exclude residents of, and organisations based in, Brazil, Russia, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and any other place where US or local law bars taking part. Employees, representatives and agents of BlackBerry or Devpost, judges and their employers, and their close family or household members cannot enter. Your project must not have been developed with funding, investment, a contract or a commercial licence from BlackBerry or Devpost, and it must be new or significantly updated during the submission period.
For an Indian startup, this means you can enter as a company through an authorised representative, as a team, or as an individual developer.
How to apply
Join the hackathon on Devpost and sign in. Get the free QNX SDP 8.0 access from the QNX Everywhere page. Then build or significantly update a project that runs on QNX 8.0 on any supported hardware, including the QEMU emulator, or a host tool on Windows, macOS or Linux that helps build, test or analyse QNX 8.0 software. Pick one of the five categories: Robotics & Medical, Automotive & Mobility, Low-level Software, Developer Tooling & Host Tools, or Open-Source Contribution & Ports.
You publish the code in a public open-source repository with build and run instructions, record a demo video of under three minutes on YouTube, and submit everything on Devpost before the deadline. A practical tip: test the build instructions on a clean machine before you submit, so a judge can run your project without your help.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Submissions are first checked to confirm they fit the theme and use QNX 8.0. Judges chosen by the sponsor then score the remaining projects equally on technical implementation, design, potential impact, and innovation and creativity. Public voting picks the Community Choice winner. Judging and public voting run from 15 to 29 January 2027, and winners are announced around 4 February 2027. Potential winners must return their winner forms within 10 business days.
About BlackBerry and QNX
BlackBerry Ltd, based in Waterloo, Canada, makes QNX, a real-time operating system. The hackathon is the sponsor's way to encourage developers to build on the latest version, QNX 8.0.
Things to check before you apply
- The Devpost pages returned an access error when we tried to re-read them, so read the official rules on Devpost yourself before you build. This description relies on the details saved in our record.
- The source we hold does not say how winners outside the US are paid, or how tax is handled. Check the rules and take advice on tax in India.
- Your code must be public and open-source, so do not enter anything you need to keep confidential.
- The source does not state an entry fee, so confirm on the Devpost page.
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
Prizes are paid in cash. The Grand Prize is US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh), with an episode of the Code the Future podcast and a coffee chat with the QNX CEO. The best project in each of the five categories wins US$4,000 and a coffee chat with a QNX senior executive, and each category runner-up wins US$2,000. Three honourable mentions get US$1,000 each. Two bonus prizes of US$3,500 go to the best codelab or tutorial and to the best use of QNX-specific technologies. A Community Choice winner gets a blog and social feature and QNX swag. A project can win one overall prize, one bonus prize and the Community Choice prize. Prizes are paid to the individual, the team representative or the organisation within 60 days of the winner forms being received.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
A first check confirms each project fits the theme and uses QNX 8.0. Judges chosen by the sponsor then score the rest equally on technical implementation, design, potential impact, and innovation and creativity. Public voting decides the Community Choice winner. Judging and voting run from 15 to 29 January 2027 and winners are announced around 4 February 2027. Potential winners must return winner forms within 10 business days.
Application Process
- 1
Join on Devpost
Register on the hackathon site and get free QNX SDP 8.0 access.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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 QNX Global Hackathon 2026?
Individuals aged 18 or older, teams and registered organisations can enter. Employees and agents of BlackBerry or Devpost, judges and their close family cannot. The project must run on or target QNX 8.0 and be new or significantly updated during the submission period.
Can Indian startups and developers enter the QNX Global Hackathon?
Yes. The rules exclude residents of Brazil, Russia, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and other places where US or local law bars taking part, and India is not excluded. A registered Indian company can enter through an authorised representative.
How much can I win in the QNX Global Hackathon?
The Grand Prize is US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh) in cash, plus a podcast episode and a coffee chat with the QNX CEO. Category winners get US$4,000, runners-up US$2,000, honourable mentions US$1,000 and the two bonus prizes US$3,500 each. The listing puts the total at about US$50,000.
How are the QNX hackathon prizes paid?
The prizes are cash. The source we hold does not describe the payment method, and says only that potential winners must return winner forms within 10 business days. Read the official rules on Devpost for payment and tax details.
What is the QNX Global Hackathon deadline, and what if it has passed?
Submissions close at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on 15 December 2026, which is 12:30 AM IST on 16 December 2026. The source we hold does not mention another round, so a missed deadline means waiting for any future hackathon.
Is the QNX hackathon a grant or equity?
It is a cash prize competition, not an investment. The source describes no equity or ownership being taken. The project must not have been funded by BlackBerry or Devpost.
What do I have to submit for the QNX Global Hackathon?
You submit a working project that runs on or targets QNX 8.0, a public open-source repository with build and run instructions, a text description and a demo video of under three minutes on YouTube. You also choose one of the five categories.
Do I have to travel for the QNX Global Hackathon?
No. It is an online hackathon run on Devpost, and the source we hold mentions no in-person event or travel.
Is it free to enter the QNX Global Hackathon?
The source we hold does not state an entry fee, and it says free access to QNX SDP 8.0 is available for the hackathon. Confirm on the Devpost page before you join.
When are the QNX hackathon winners announced?
Judging and public voting run from 15 to 29 January 2027, and winners are announced around 4 February 2027. Potential winners then have 10 business days to return their winner forms.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
