Build Without Borders -
Borderless Bytes Hackathon by StacStart.
Build something real in four days. In teams, from Lagos, Nairobi, Kampala or Accra, ship a product and pitch it live on the summit finale stage.
Build a product that solves a real African problem.
Build a product that solves a real African problem. We give you total creative freedom to build what matters, you can choose from five focused categories or go wild in the Open Track. Whether you're streamlining cross-border payments, expanding access to essential services, or building tools for local creators, bring your best ideas, build fast, and launch something that scales.
Five categories. Pick the one you care about.
All submissions across every track are evaluated by our judges for a chance to win the top 3 grand prizes.
Access & Inclusion
Tools that widen access to jobs, finance, healthcare or education across Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda or Ghana.
Future of Work
Remote work, hiring, productivity or team collaboration.
FinTech & Commerce
Payments, marketplaces or financial tooling built for African contexts.
Civic Tech & Public Good
Tools addressing a public infrastructure, governance or community problem.
Open / Wildcard
Anything else genuinely useful — the catch-all, not a dumping ground for weak entries.
"To qualify for participation, you should:
Follow this simple path to get set up, assemble your team, and submit your project before the deadline.
Introduce yourself
Introduce yourself in the hub: your name, what you build, and what you're hoping to work on.
Post with #BuildWithStacStart
Announce that you're participating on social media using the hashtag. This is your entry signal — no form to fill out first.
Form a team of 2-4
Find or form your team. No solo entries.
From opening day to the finale stage.
All deadlines are strictly enforced. Times are in WAT / EAT.
Timeline Steps (In Order)
Hackathon opens
Team formation & social campaign
Build week opens
Submission deadline
Judging window
Finalists notified
Grand Finale (Summit Day 4)
$1,800+ in cash 💸, perks 🎁, and career 👨💻 opportunities.
Pitch live on stage at the Summit, walk away with cash prizes and direct fast-track interviews with top tech employers.
Prize Amount:
$1,000
Perks:
Cash Prize + Priority Fast-Track Interviews
Prize Amount:
$500
Perks:
Cash Prize + Fast-Track Interviews
Prize Amount:
$300
Perks:
Cash Prize + Priority Fast-Track Interviews
Submission Checklist
What you'll need to submit
Get these key deliverables ready ahead of time. Additional project details can be completed directly in the submission portal before Sept 28 at 11:59 PM.
Check List
Working Prototype: A live, deployed URL or accessible application.
Codebase: A public GitHub repository link.
Video pitch: A video demo showcasing your build and features.
Project Details: Project title, target audience, and tech stack used.
How submissions are scored.
Projects will be evaluated by industry experts and employer partners across four main criteria:
Technical execution
35%Is it built well and does the live demo function smoothly?
Problem fit
25%Does it solve a real, meaningful problem for African users?
Demo / communication
20%Is the pitch clear, compelling, and well-presented?
Originality & Innovation
20%Is the idea ambitious, unique, and differentiated
Yes. You must register for the StacStart Summit to be eligible for the hackathon. However, attending the Summit alone is open to everyone — you can register for the Summit without participating in the hackathon.
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