Hackathon
Open
Ring Appstore Challenge 2026 for college students
Ring offers a $500,000 prize pool to US college students who build apps for the Ring Appstore. Proposals are due November 20, 2026.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Grand prize | $250,000 for the highest monthly recurring revenue; at least 100 paying accounts and $500 a month required |
| Aging in Place prize | $100,000 for the app judged most useful for older adults living at home |
| Most Popular prize | $75,000 for the most total users |
| Most Inventive prize | $75,000, chosen by Ring judges |
| Finalists | Up to 1,000 |
| Finalist support | Free Ring camera and sensor kit; developer tools; mentoring by Ring engineers |
Timeline:
- Finalists selected by December 14, 2026
- App building from December 15, 2026 to February 15, 2027
- Apps live on the Ring Appstore by March 1, 2027
- Adoption period until May 1, 2027
- Winners notified around May 17, 2027; Demo Day at Ring headquarters in early June 2027
Source · ring.com/support/articles/4t7h8/ring-appstore-challenge
Published 22 October 2026 · Checked against the organizer's page 7 November 2026
DevGrants Daily, run by Albert Andrejev. How entries are made and checked.
Quick answers
Is code needed to enter?
No. The first stage is a written app proposal. Coding starts only for the finalists.
Who owns the finished app?
The students keep their apps and their developer accounts, and they keep subscription revenue after the standard Ring Appstore revenue share and fees.