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GWDC 2026 KOREA · Hackathon Global Call for Builders Open: Backed by $100K in Cash & Ecosystem Resources, Global Builders Unite in Seoul to Build AI × Web3


About GWDC

As a premier global technical event, GWDC (Global Web3 Developer Conference) is dedicated to bridging developers, technology leaders, and innovative enterprises worldwide. By deeply integrating the industrial ecosystem, GWDC actively drives cross-sector collaboration and practical technological innovation.

Hosted by Web3Labs and co-hosted by Techub News, Hypai Labs, and TokenPost, this edition of the conference will take place from September 28 to 30 at the aT Center in Seoul, South Korea. Expected to convene over 8,000 attendees, 500+ core developers, nearly 100 exhibitors, and 100+ top-tier investment institutions, GWDC aims to establish a flagship platform uniting over 10,000 participants across the AI × Web3 spectrum.

Distinguished Policy & Industry Leaders

GWDC 2026 KOREA has assembled a prestigious lineup spanning government, industry, finance, and academia. Confirmed policy and financial leaders include Koo Yun-cheol (Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of South Korea), Min Byoung-dug (Member of the National Assembly of South Korea), Dr. Johnny Ng (Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong), and Suk-hun Yoon (Chairman of the Asia Economic Development Committee and Former Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service). These distinguished guests will exchange insights on global digital economy development, regulatory compliance, and technological innovation.

Furthermore, the conference brings together prominent industry figures including Caspar Wong (CEO of Web3Labs), Lee Jae-won (CEO of Bithumb), Kwon Hyuk-il (Co-founder of NAVER & Chairman of Happybean Foundation), Justin Sun (Founder of TRON), Shin Won-geun (CEO of Kakao Pay), Ryan Li (Deputy General Manager of Cloud Native & Digital Transformation at Microsoft Greater China), Evan Auyang (Group President of Animoca Brands), Ella Zhang (Managing Partner & Head of YZi Labs), and Jack Kong (Founder and Chairman of Nano Labs). Together, they will explore the convergence of Web3 and AI, driving the real-world deployment of cutting-edge technologies.

About GWDC Hackathon

As a core component of the conference, the GWDC 2026 KOREA Hackathon stays true to the developer spirit of "For Builders, By Builders" and has officially opened project submissions to global builders.

Centered around up to 5 participating public chain ecosystems, this edition boasts a total prize pool exceeding $100,000 USD. Supported by TRON and partnering with global technology giant Microsoft, the event provides participants with high-performance computing power and cloud infrastructure across development, testing, and deployment. Project submissions remain open, warmly inviting developer teams at all stages to participate. 

In addition, the hackathon will feature a 48-hour offline final in Seoul. All participating teams are eligible to join the on-site competition, engaging in intense rapid-prototyping while connecting deeply with global developers, top investors, and industry pioneers. Participants will also witness the live reveal of the winners on-site, unlocking valuable ecosystem partnerships and brand exposure.

1. GWDC 2026 KOREA Hackathon Overview

  • Date: September 28–30, 2026
  • Venue: aT Center, Seoul, South Korea
  • Format: Onsite Coding + Demo Day
  • Prize Pool: $50,000 USD Cash + $50,000 USD Worth of Ecosystem Resource Support

2. Hackathon Schedule: The 48-Hour Coding Challenge

The hackathon consists of online registration, followed by onsite development and finals in Seoul. All times are listed in Korea Standard Time (KST):

  • Online Registration (August 25 – September 25): Team formation and project registration.
  • Onsite Launch (September 28, 17:00 – 20:00 KST): Official opening, technical sharing by public chain ecosystem leads, task briefings, and developer kit distribution.
  • Onsite Coding (September 28, 20:00 – September 30, 11:00 KST): Intensive 48-hour development, optimization, and product refinement based on ecosystem challenges.
  • Project Submission (Before September 30, 12:00 KST): Final submission deadline.
  • Demo Day & Award Ceremony (September 30, 15:00 – 17:00 KST): Project presentations on the Innovation Stage followed by the official award ceremony.

Judges & Project Presentations

The judging panel features CXOs, technical leads from participating public chains, and partners from top-tier VCs. Shortlisted teams will pitch live on the Innovation Stage, connecting directly with leading investment institutions and ecosystem partners to unlock funding and long-term strategic support.

3. Participant Benefits & Ecosystem Support

  • $50K USD Cash Prize Pool + $50K USD Ecosystem Support: Winning projects are eligible for up to $50,000 USD in cash rewards and up to $50,000 USD worth of ecosystem resources.
  • Microsoft Azure Credits: Qualifying projects will receive up to 6 months of free Microsoft Azure cloud credits to support development, testing, and deployment.
  • Web3Labs Global Acceleration: Winning teams will gain priority entry into the Web3Labs 2026 Global Accelerator Program and incubation pipeline, securing ongoing development and ecosystem support.
  • Industry Networks & Investor Matchmaking: Direct engagement with industry veterans, leading enterprises, and top-tier VCs to expand investment, ecosystem, and strategic partnerships.
  • Global Media & Market Exposure: Winning projects will receive sustained media coverage and promotional support, enhancing market visibility across global media and community channels.

4. Participation Requirements

  • Open-Source GitHub Repository: Projects must submit a publicly accessible GitHub repository.
  • Demo Video: A project demo video under 3 minutes in length is required.
  • Pitch Deck: Teams must submit a comprehensive project presentation and pitch deck.
  • Onsite Presentation: Shortlisted finalists are required to present live on the Innovation Stage.
  • Team Size: Maximum of 5 members per team.

Teams may choose to participate online or attend the physical event in Seoul. Final project submissions must include all required materials and be completed before the deadline.

5. Registration Channels

Please select your team's designated registration channel (select "Other" if not affiliated with a partner university or community). Specific track and challenge details will be officially announced in mid-September.

Global Matrix Partners & Collaborative Network

GWDC 2026 KOREA has established deep collaborations with top-tier industry brands, media outlets, AI and Web3 communities, and prominent university blockchain associations worldwide. By integrating brand resources, synchronized media coverage, community-driven promotion, and university ecosystem partnerships, the initiative delivers comprehensive PR support and builds a robust global promotion network for this milestone 10,000-attendee conference and hackathon.

Technological innovation extends far beyond code—it lies in turning bold ideas into real-world applications. The GWDC 2026 KOREA Hackathon aims to empower global builders by offering an open platform for creation, collaboration, and practical deployment, bringing transformative ideas to life across real-world scenarios.

We look forward to gathering with builders from around the world in Seoul—to code the fun back into the world.

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