Who are the Pi Hackathon 2025 Winners? A Closer Look

Pi Network marked a significant milestone in its development with the announcement of winners for its 2025 hackathon on December 11. This event, the first since the launch of the Open Network, drew participation from developers worldwide who focused on creating applications that integrate Pi cryptocurrency into practical, everyday functions. 

Over 215 submissions arrived, all compliant with Mainnet standards, reflecting a strong interest in building tools that support real-world transactions and interactions. Organizers distributed a total prize pool of up to 160,000 Pi among the top entries, highlighting the network's commitment to fostering innovation through community-driven projects.

The hackathon, which spanned from August 15 to October 15, encouraged teams to deploy fully functional apps on the Pi Mainnet. Participants had access to resources like the Pi Developer Portal, where they could register using the code "hackathon25." Midway through, on September 19, a showcase video highlighted early progress from various teams, offering glimpses into evolving ideas that ranged from e-commerce platforms to AI tools. 

Although not all featured projects claimed top spots, the midpoint review underscored the diversity of approaches, with more than 2,100 developers from over 100 countries contributing to the effort. This broad involvement demonstrated how the event served as a platform for testing and refining ideas that could expand Pi's role in payments, gaming, and social connections.

Top Three Winners

The judging process prioritized applications that demonstrated clear utility, seamless integration with Pi, and potential for ongoing development. Winners stood out for their ability to address specific needs within the ecosystem while incorporating features like verified identities and transaction mechanisms.

First Place: Blind_Lounge

Blind_Lounge secured the top position with its emphasis on privacy in social and dating interactions. Users start conversations without sharing personal details, and profiles reveal only when both parties consent, which helps reduce risks associated with online meetings. The app includes a random chat function that pairs participants anonymously, allowing relationships to develop naturally before any disclosures. A social feed enables posting thoughts or questions without identifiers, adding another layer for community engagement.

To maintain quality, the developers implemented a Pi payment requirement for profile creation, which deters spam and ensures participants are KYC-verified Pioneers. This setup leverages Pi's network of authenticated users to create a more reliable environment for connections. The team noted that large platforms often struggle with misinformation and fake accounts, but Blind_Lounge counters this by limiting access to verified individuals, potentially strengthening ties within the Pi community. As one of the standout entries, it illustrates how Pi can support solutions to common challenges in digital socializing.

Second Place: Starmax

Starmax took second place by offering a loyalty system tailored for businesses and users in the Pi ecosystem. Merchants can set up customized programs where customers spend Pi at stores and receive rewards based on their activity. 

The app simplifies this through QR code scanning, which tracks purchases and consolidates benefits, eliminating the need for multiple physical cards. During the hackathon's midpoint showcase, early versions displayed animated interfaces for these scans, hinting at the user-friendly design that helped it advance.

For businesses, Starmax provides tools to attract repeat visitors and increase visibility among Pioneers. It fits into daily operations without requiring major changes, positioning it as a viable option for the thousands of merchants already linked to Pi globally. The developers described it as a way to build transparent relationships, where users discover participating stores, earn incentives, and contribute to a cycle of growth. This practical focus on commerce shows how the hackathon encouraged apps that bridge digital currency with local economies.

Third Place: RUN FOR PI

RUN FOR PI claimed third place with a runner game that embeds Pi into its mechanics, appealing to the network's interest in gaming as a growth area. Players navigate endless tracks, using Pi to buy boosters, unlock stages, or enter competitions with prize pools. The interface features straightforward controls and leaderboards that encourage repeated play, tying progression directly to Pi transactions.

While the endless runner format is familiar, the app differentiates itself by making currency integral to competition and rewards, which aligns with Pi's goals for engagement. It also opens possibilities for monetization through the Pi Ad Network, where ads could generate additional Pi for developers and players. 

The team emphasized creating a loop where entertainment drives usage, and that usage bolsters the broader ecosystem. By tapping into the community's size for player acquisition, RUN FOR PI represents a step toward integrating cryptocurrency into leisure activities that keep users active daily.

Honorable Mentions

Beyond the podium finishes, five apps earned honorable mentions for their contributions to utility and innovation. These projects, while not topping the list, addressed varied needs and showed promise for future refinements.

Kindrek functions as a matchmaking platform for romantic, friendly, or professional links, with Pi handling payments for premium features and ads. Its multilingual support broadens accessibility, aiming to facilitate diverse relationships.

Workflet for Pi offers a collaboration tool with role-based workspaces, allowing teams to manage projects and clients securely. Highlighted in the midpoint video as "Workflower," it demonstrated admin controls and branding options, suggesting potential for professional use despite early-stage Pi integration.

PallyPay simplifies group expenses for events like meals or trips, enabling Pi transfers among friends. It explores business listings, making it useful for coordinating shared costs in social settings.

SimpleJoy provides a collection of open-source, browser-based games that require no downloads, meeting demand for quick entertainment options within the Pi browser.

Agora Pulse allows users to create and vote on polls, fostering discussion on community topics. It incorporates Pi to reward participation, helping to gauge opinions and highlight issues.

All honorable mentions, like the winners, remain in development, with teams expected to incorporate feedback and fix any emerging issues.

Conclusion

The 2025 hackathon outcomes point to a maturing Pi ecosystem, where apps not only utilize the cryptocurrency but also enhance its adoption through targeted features. Pioneers can explore all submissions via the hackathon2025 tab in the Pi Browser's Mainnet section, providing a direct way to engage with these community-built tools. 

As developers continue iterating, these projects could influence how Pi integrates into broader applications, from social networks to business operations. The event's success, built on months of preparation and global input, sets a foundation for similar initiatives that prioritize practical advancements.

Sources:

• _{Pi Network Blog: Hackathon 2025 Winners Announcement.}

• _{Pi Apps GitHub: Community Developer Guide on Mainnet Listing Requirements.}