Your startup idea doesn't leave your machine
No account, no login, no cloud. Your ideas are stored on your computer and are never uploaded anywhere.
Don't beg VCs for seed funding. Fund your vibe-coded startup idea by winning hackathons.
hackathon.fund is a computer app that reads your startup idea and finds the hackathons you're most likely to win, using AI that runs entirely on your computer.
$1,854,287 in seed funding available this week from 141 open hackathons
Download for macOSBuy for a small one-time fee
See how it works
F**k subscriptions
Local AI matches your idea with hackathons
AI models run on your computer to score every hackathon against your idea and explain why each one fits. No API key needed.
One-time payment
Pay once and get free updates until the next major release. No subscription.
How it works
From idea to prize money in three steps
Describe what you want to build. hackathon.fund does the searching, so you can spend your time building.
01
Add your startup idea
A sentence or two is enough. Add as many ideas as you like.
02
Find your matches
Get a ranked list of hackathons, sorted by best fit, prize money or deadline.
03
Save and apply
Bookmark the ones worth winning and get a reminder before each deadline.
Private by design
Your startup idea doesn't leave your machine
Your best idea is worth protecting. hackathon.fund has no servers to send it to, so it stays on your computer.
- No sign-up, no login, no account
- Ideas and saved hackathons are stored only on your computer
- The AI runs on your computer, so your idea is never sent to an AI company
Local AI
Local AI matches your startup idea with hackathons
hackathon.fund compares your idea with every hackathon in its catalog, gives each one a match score, and writes a short note on why it fits, all on your computer.
- Works without an API key or an internet connection to an AI service
- See every close match, or only the ones the AI judges a strong fit
- Uses your computer's graphics chip for fast results
Always up to date
Never miss a hackathon that fits
The app keeps its hackathon catalog fresh in the background and lets you know when a new hackathon matches one of your saved ideas.
- Desktop alerts for new matching hackathons
- Reminders 3 days and 1 day before a saved hackathon's deadline
- Optionally opens when you log in
Pricing
Pay once. Keep winning.
Version 1.x
One-time payment
Free updates until the next major release.
- Unlimited startup ideas and matches
- Local AI match scores and explanations
- Background catalog updates and deadline reminders
- Every 1.x update, free
Available now for macOS · Windows and Linux coming soon
FAQ
Questions, answered
Is my startup idea really private?
Yes. Your ideas are stored on your computer and the AI that reads them also runs on your computer. The app only goes online to download the list of hackathons; your ideas are never sent with it.
Do I need an AI subscription or API key?
No. Everything runs on your computer. On first launch the app downloads its small matching model (about 165 MB). The model that writes the "why it fits" notes is an optional one-time download of about 2.4 GB.
Which computers does it run on?
It's available now for macOS on Apple silicon (M1 or later), macOS 12 or later. Windows and Linux versions are coming soon.
What does "free updates until the next major release" mean?
Your purchase includes every 1.x update at no extra cost. Version 2.0 will be a separate purchase, and the version you own keeps working.
Where do the hackathons come from?
The app builds its catalog from public listings on major hackathon websites and refreshes it in the background.
Why shouldn't I vibe-code hackathon.fund myself?
You can. But for a small one time fee you get regularly maintained software, with custom recipes I personally use to win hackathons.
How do I get help?
Support is available via Discord and email. You'll find both on the About page inside the app.
Your next round of funding is a hackathon away
Find the hackathons your startup idea can win, without giving it away.