Build
HackMeridian brings builders in one space to think, tinker, and play. We invite you to pick one of two paths: Genesis, if you are starting from an idea, and Scale, if you are taking an existing product further.
For hackers
Hacking ends at 12:00 on Mon 26 Oct. That is the submission deadline. No late submissions. Then judging.
A clear README that shows how your project works, including its specs, does most of the work for judges.
You own what you build. Submissions and IP.
Guides and tools to help you get started, build on Stellar, and prepare for judging.
Presentations from HackMeridian 2026 to help you build on Stellar, explore new tools, and strengthen your project.
Two paths
HackMeridian has two paths. Genesis is where a new idea becomes an MVP. Scale is where an existing product moves toward production.
Start something.
For developers, founders, and multidisciplinary builders with a strong problem or idea but limited experience building on Stellar. Come with curiosity and a problem worth solving.
Stellar Unlocked and Stellar Composed are the tracks on this path. You can be part of both tracks (Unlocked and Composed).
Take it further.
For experienced founders, developers, and product teams with a working product or prototype who are ready to integrate Stellar and take a meaningful step toward production.
Scale is its own path. Scale projects don’t need to pick a track.
Inside Genesis
These tracks belong to the Genesis path. Genesis builders can be part of both tracks (Unlocked and Composed). Scale projects don’t need to pick a track.
Track
Stellar’s full potential is yours to unlock.
Stellar’s protocol is packed with native capabilities: built-in asset-issuance capabilities and a DEX, ZK-ready host functions, and powerful contract features. Everything you need to build meaningful products and services is already in the protocol. The breakthrough is in how you use it. Take Stellar fundamentals further than they’ve gone before, and build something groundbreaking.
Ideas to get you started
Track
Stellar’s building blocks are yours to compose.
Stellar’s ecosystem is full of powerful tools: smart wallets, private payments, agent wallets, anchors, oracles, cross-chain infrastructure, and live projects ready to plug into. Each one is powerful on its own. Combined, they can change how the world moves value. Pick two or more and build what none of them could do alone, on real infrastructure that keeps running long after demo day.
Ideas to get you started
A Genesis project can be part of both tracks (Unlocked and Composed). Use the description that fits the work, or use them together. Scale projects don’t need to pick a track.
Your project gets something new out of Stellar’s core protocol features.
Your project combines two or more ecosystem tools or projects into something new.
Mentor Support
Stellar engineers, technical mentors, and product experts are here to support builders throughout the hackathon, answer questions, challenge ideas, and help teams make meaningful progress.
Judging
How judging works: async review of the demo video, pitch deck, GitHub repo, and submission answers. Live pitches are only for finalists, on Wed Oct 28.
Judging priority order: Adoption → Discovery → Continuation.
Genesis is judged as Idea → MVP. Scale is judged as Prototype → Product.
One rubric scores every project. Each criterion is scored 1–5. The 20% criterion is Track Alignment for Genesis and Ecosystem Alignment for Scale.
Genesis projects are scored on Track Alignment: fit with Stellar Unlocked and/or Stellar Composed. Scale projects are scored on Ecosystem Alignment: fit with and value to the Stellar ecosystem.
Before submitting, use this checklist to review your project against the HackMeridian judging criteria.
The takeaway: Build a focused solution that works, make its value clear, and show judges why it matters.
Partners
Trustless Work
