DFINITY Foundation Launches Four-Month Hackathon for Internet Computer Developers

The World Computer Hacker League 2025 (WCHL25) has been launched by the DFINITY Foundation and the ICP HUBS Network, marking a significant milestone in the global developer community. This four-month hackathon, running from July to October, challenges developers to build production-ready applications on the Internet Computer technology. The competition aims to provide an unparalleled experience for participants by offering direct mentorship from blockchain pioneers, comprehensive technical support, and pathways to funding.

Participants will receive weekly mentorship and feedback from technical experts and experienced builders, ensuring continuous growth and guidance throughout the hackathon. The competition includes workshops, office hours, and in-depth explorations of the ICP tech stack, providing developers with the necessary resources to accelerate their journey. Additionally, participants will have exposure to a global network of stakeholders and opportunities to pitch their projects to leading Web3 venture capitalists and angel investors.

Unlike traditional hackathons, WCHL25 offers a four-month timeline, allowing teams to focus, develop, test, and deploy fully functional applications on the Internet Computer blockchain. This extended period enables developers to create more genuine products rather than proof-of-concepts, addressing the industry’s challenge of translating hackathon projects into sustainable ventures. Emilio Canessa, Director of Global Adoption at DFINITY Foundation, emphasized the unique aspects of WCHL25, stating, “WCHL gives developers what they’ve been asking for: real time to focus and build, real support from experts, and real pathways to growth.”

The hackathon features a globally open track and leverages a consolidated audience of developers from the ICP HUBS Network, which spans across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The competition revolves around four stages: the Qualification Round, where teams submit their ideas and qualify to participate; the National Round, where 30% of the teams will be selected; the Regional Round, which brings together top teams on a Continental level; and the Global Grand Finale, where the best projects will compete for top prizes and honors on a global stage.

A panel of judges, including prominent members of the ICP ecosystem and industry experts, will evaluate projects based on technical execution, user experience, and real-world applicability. Registration for WCHL25 is now open, and developers are encouraged to join and become pioneers in shaping the future of the internet. The Internet Computer (ICP) represents a fully decentralized web3 cloud platform, enabling developers to deploy code directly onto the blockchain without relying on servers or centralized infrastructure. This fast, cost-efficient, and highly scalable protocol redefines the operational paradigm of a decentralized web3 platform, offering the same functionalities as centralized clouds but with economically efficient computation, heightened security, and rapid processing speeds intrinsic to decentralized technology.