The Countdown to the Qubic & Vottun Madrid Hackathon – Are You Ready?

It’s almost time. The Qubic & Vottun Madrid Hackathon is just around the corner, and momentum is building.

This is a hackathon with  €80,000+ in prizes, industry-leading mentors, and the opportunity to build something that lasts. Whether you’re here to compete, connect, or take your first step towards the next big thing, this event is where ideas become reality.

The challenges are now officially live. The only question left: what will you build?

Nine Big Challenges – One Weekend to Solve Them

Most hackathons end when the last presentation is given. Not this one.

The best projects here have a chance at becoming part of Qubic’s ecosystem, shaping the future of Web3, AI, and decentralised computing.

Challenge 1: Infrastructure Financing Using Tokenised RWAs

Public infrastructure needs a smarter funding model. This challenge is about using tokenised real-world assets to let citizens and investors co-finance projects like EV stations, real estate, and renewable energy.

• Smart contracts for secure tokenisation

• NFTs and on-chain asset tracking

• Community-driven voting to decide funding

Challenge 2: Machine-to-Machine Payment Gateway

What if smart devices could pay for services without human intervention? This challenge builds automated payments for IoT devices - think electric cars paying for charging, drones handling airspace fees, and machines settling their own transactions.

• Smart contracts for instant machine payments

• L1 blockchain integration for microtransactions

• Digital identity management for IoT

Challenge 3: QR Payments (POS Simulator)

Make crypto payments effortless. This challenge builds a QR-based system that lets businesses accept Qubic instantly - whether it’s a shop checkout, a vending machine, or an Airbnb rental.

• Wallet-to-wallet QR transactions

• Optional stablecoin integration for real-world use

Challenge 4: Conditional Payment System for Project Execution

Too many projects get abandoned halfway. This challenge develops a smart contract escrow system where funds only unlock when project milestones are completed.

• Multi-signature smart contracts for secure payments

• Oracle-based milestone verification

Challenge 5: Qubic Prepaid Crypto Cards

Crypto should be spendable anywhere. This challenge explores integrating Qubic with platforms like Bitrefill so users can load prepaid balances and pay for real-world goods.

Challenge 6: Recycling Incentives Protocol

Make sustainability rewarding. This challenge builds a QR-based system that tracks recycling and rewards users for sorting waste properly.

• Smart contracts for automated rewards

• Live scoring and traceability

• Intuitive mobile app

Challenge 7: DAO Governance for a Gaming Community

Who should control in-game economies? The players. This challenge creates a Qubic-powered DAO where communities vote on game rules, tokenomics, and rewards.

Challenge 8: Anti-Fraud Ticketing System for Events

Scalping and fake tickets kill events. This challenge builds a blockchain-verified ticketing system that makes reselling safe and prevents fraud.

• NFT-based tickets with on-chain ownership tracking

• Fully transparent resale system

Challenge 9: Automated Blockchain Workflow Orchestrator

Web3 needs automation. This challenge is about building a tool that connects Qubic with platforms like Zapier or Make, letting blockchain events trigger real-world actions.

• Webhooks and APIs for seamless blockchain automation

• Secure integrations with external systems

This Hackathon Is Built Different

If you’re showing up just to write some code and leave, you’re thinking too small. This is about real opportunities.

• A developer’s dream toolkit – Access to Qubic’s decentralised computing, APIs, and testnet

• Unparalleled mentorship – Work directly with blockchain engineers, AI scientists, and Web3 founders

• €80,000+ in prizes – Big ideas deserve big rewards

• Career-shaping networking – Investors, sponsors, and startups are watching

• Food, rest, and logistics covered – Focus on building, everything else is handled

• Stay connected before the event – Join the official Telegram group and start forming teams: https://t.me/+QndnHVQqYaczZmQ0

International Students: We’re Flying You In

Not in Spain? No problem.

Qubic is subsidising travel costs for selected international students who want to compete.

• Up to €650 in $QUBIC to cover flights, hotels, meals, and transport

• Open to C++, Python, and Java developers

• A rare chance to build alongside top Web3 engineers in one of Europe’s biggest hackathons

If this sounds like you, apply now.

Hackathon Itinerary – What’s Happening and When?

Saturday, March 22 – Kickoff & Building Begins

08:30 – Doors open and check-in
09:00 – Welcome ceremony and sponsor introductions
10:15 – Official challenge presentations
12:00 – Team formation and hacking begins
14:00 - 19:00 – Workshops and mentoring
21:00 – Midnight hacking begins

What to Expect:

• Team up and start brainstorming solutions

• Work hands-on with Qubic’s development tools

• Get technical guidance from top mentors

Sunday, March 23 – Crunch Time and Pitching

08:00 – Breakfast and final debugging
11:00 – Pre-pitch presentations to mentors
14:00 – Final presentations to the judging panel
17:00 – Jury deliberation
17:30 – Awards ceremony

What to Expect:

• Last chance to refine and polish your project

• Presentations in front of an expert panel

• The best projects advance to the final judging round

• Awards ceremony, networking, and potential investment opportunities

This Is Your Moment – Will You Take It?

You can sit back and watch the next wave of Web3 and AI innovation from the sidelines.

Or you can be the one building it.

This hackathon is about solving real challenges, working with top developers, and creating something that could last far beyond this weekend.

Time is running out, and spots are filling up fast.

Apply now before it’s too late.

See you in Madrid.

What Is Qubic?

Qubic is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain that integrates artificial intelligence to revolutionise decentralised technology. Utilising its unique Useful Proof of Work (UPoW) mechanism, Qubic transforms traditional mining by directing computational power towards training artificial neural networks, contributing to the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The Qubic network runs directly on hardware, without the need for operating systems or virtual networks, and has many standout features, such as: feeless transactions, instant finality, and the execution of smart contracts at unprecedented speeds. Founded by Sergey Ivancheglo, the innovator behind NXT and co-founder of IOTA, Qubic is committed to open-source development and community-driven innovation, aiming to democratise access to advanced AI and redefine the future of blockchain technology.

About Vottun

Vottun Developer Ecosystem provides developers with everything they need to build, scale and launch cross-chain dApps. Their mission is to support developers transitioning from working in the world of web2 - from those with no prior blockchain programming experience to web3 enthusiasts - by giving them cutting-edge tools to begin building dApps, Tokens, Marketplaces, and DeFi projects, to create valuable new business models, processes and services in web3.