Innovation hackathon / Bangladesh / 2026
AppQuest 2.0
The Applink Innovation Hackathon
Build it. Ship it on Applink. Pitch it live at the Grand Finale.
A team-based innovation hackathon for Bangladesh's builders. Create a real app on Applink, take it to production and compete for valuable prizes.
Loading countdown // BST
- Tracks
- 2
- Cash prizes
- 6
- Finalist teams
- 20
[ 01 ] What is AppQuest
A hackathon where ideas don't stop at the demo.
AppQuest 2.0 is a team-based innovation hackathon in Bangladesh, run by the Applink team at hSenid Mobile with Banglalink as the core partner. Teams build remotely, then the best teams meet face to face at a physical Grand Finale. Every solution must work with Applink APIs and be ready for production, so the app you build can actually go live and reach real users after the finale.
Build remotely
Work from anywhere with your team, backed by an onboarding kit, sandbox access and a support channel.
Plug into Applink
Use at least one Applink API: SMS, Subscription, CaaS, USSD or OTP.
Pitch and go live
Demo on stage, win, and get support to take your app live on Applink.
Quick facts
- Format
- Remote build phase, physical one-day Grand Finale
- Tracks
- Inter-University and Community & Industry, in parallel
- Team size
- 2 to 4 members. No solo entries.
- Focus areas
- 4 major themes and 14 categories, mapped to the UN SDGs
- Must have
- A working Applink API integration and a production-ready Applink app
- Finalists
- Top 10 teams from each track, 20 teams in total
- Grand Finale
- December 2026. Date and venue to be announced
[ 02 ] The story so far
1.0 set the bar. 2.0 raises it.
AppQuest 1.0 ran in 2025 and invited Bangladesh's builders to create new mobile services on Applink. The energy and ideas it brought out are the reason AppQuest 2.0 exists, and why this edition is bigger, broader and built to take more apps all the way to launch.
AppQuest 1.0 / 2025
BDT 80,000
Total prize pool awarded to 1.0 winners
Built in 1.0
38
Solutions built on Applink
What's new in 2.0
Changelog- NewTwo tracks, run in parallel. One for university students, one for graduates, professionals, startups and communities.
- NewSeparate winners for each track, with a prize pool bigger than AppQuest 1.0. Values will be revealed soon.
- NewMentoring sessions with Applink and hSenid experts on technology, integration and business.
- NewProduction-ready apps with go-live support on Applink after the finale.
- New14 innovation categories under 4 themes, mapped to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
[ 03 ] Who can join
Two tracks. One stage.
Both tracks share one timeline, one portal, one set of rules and one jury. Registrations, shortlists, finalists and prizes are kept separate, so you only compete with teams in your own track.
Inter-University
- Who
- Currently enrolled undergraduate students
- Team
- 2 to 4 members, all from the same university in Bangladesh
- Proof
- A valid student ID or enrolment letter may be requested at any stage
Community & Industry
- Who
- Graduates, professionals, startups, freelancers and tech community members
- Team
- 2 to 4 members, any mix of backgrounds and organizations
- Also
- Students from different universities who team up register here
Which track am I?
Is every member a currently enrolled undergraduate at the same university?
Everyone must
- +Live in Bangladesh
- +Be 18 or older at registration
- +Be on one team only, with one named Team Lead
- +Join as a team. Solo entries are not accepted.
[ 04 ] Built on Applink
The one rule: plug into Applink.
Whatever your theme or category, your solution must have a working integration with at least one Applink API. Entries without one are not eligible for prizes.
Production-ready means
Due 16 Dec 2026- [x]Your app is submitted for approval on Applink
- [x]It uses live Applink APIs, not only the sandbox
- [x]It has the documentation and flows needed to go live after the finale
$ getting-started --help
04 / Fast-track your app approval
Once your application or SP account is created, email support@applink.com.bd from your Team Lead's registered email address. Mention your team name, project title and the application you built, with a short description.
[ 05 ] Themes and categories
Pick your problem.
Every entry declares one of 4 themes and one of 14 categories. They guide you towards meaningful impact and help us group and promote projects. Each category maps to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- 01Climate Tech, Clean Energy & Circular EconomySDG 7SDG 12SDG 13
- 02AgriTech & Food SystemsSDG 2SDG 6SDG 15
- 03Smart Cities, Mobility & IoTSDG 9SDG 11
Scoring
Themes and categories do not affect your score. Winners are chosen on overall score.
Theme prizes
Possible only if a partner sponsors one. Announced before submissions close.
Categories
There are no category-level awards. Choose the one that fits best.
[ 06 ] Timeline
Mark your calendar.
All times in BST (UTC+6)
Same dates for both tracks
November 2026
- 9 NovRegistrations openBoth tracks open on the same day
- 18 NovRegistrations closeGrace window for late registrations and corrections until 20 Nov
- 19 NovBuild phase officially startsGood news: you can start building as soon as you register
- 20 NovTeam lock-inTeam details are locked. Later changes need written approval
- 24 NovSubmissions openUpload your entry on the official portal
- 24 NovTeam mentoring startsSessions with Applink and hSenid experts until 30 Nov
- 30 Nov · 11:59 PMSubmission deadlineProposal PDF, GitHub link and demo video
December 2026
- 1 to 4 DecEvaluationsEligibility screen and jury scoring within each track
- 5 DecShortlist announcementTop 10 teams in each track go to the finale
- 6 to 16 DecEnhancement sprintFinalists act on jury feedback and go production-ready
- Date TBAGrand FinaleLive demos, pitches and awards. Venue to be announced
[ 07 ] Your journey
Eight stages to the stage.
- 019 to 18 Nov
Register
Form your team, pick your track and let your Team Lead register on the portal. Create an Applink developer account. You get a confirmation and an onboarding kit. Grace window until 20 Nov.
- 0219 to 30 Nov
Build
Build with the API docs and sandbox, and bring technical questions to the community support channel. Team details lock after 20 Nov.
- 0324 to 30 Nov
Get mentored
Book your sessions with Applink and hSenid experts on technology, Applink integration and business models. Come with questions.
- 04By 30 Nov, 11:59 PM
Submit
The portal opens 24 Nov. Upload the form, proposal PDF, GitHub link, demo video and (optional) deployed URL. Only your latest entry before the deadline counts.
- 051 to 5 Dec
Shortlist
Entries are screened for completeness and a working Applink integration, then scored by the jury. The top 10 in each track are announced on 5 Dec.
- 066 to 16 Dec
Enhance
Finalists receive jury feedback, improve the same project and complete a production-ready Applink app by 16 Dec.
- 07Dec 2026, date TBA
Grand Finale
Live demo, pitch and Q&A in front of the jury. Winners are announced for each track on the day.
- 08After the finale
Go live
Winning and finalist teams get support to take their apps live on Applink. Prizes are paid after eligibility and identity checks.
[ 08 ] Submission guidelines
One submission. Two parts.
Submit through the official portal (opens 24 Nov) by 30 Nov 2026, 11:59 PM BST. Only your latest entry before the deadline is evaluated. Late or incomplete submissions are not evaluated.
Part A
Proposal PDF
in English
- P1Project name, brief description, team details (members, track, university or organization)
- P2Executive summary
- P3Problem statement
- P4Proposed solution
- P5Technical implementation
- P6Applink integration: APIs used and user flows
- P7Revenue model, 6-month business plan, promotion and marketing plan
- P8Blank Page Challenge. Anything that gives you an edge: diagrams, images, video embeds or traction
Pro tip: page 8 is yours to own. Show the jury what makes your team different.
Part B
Build evidence
- Required
GitHub repository link, accessible to the jury
- Required
Demo video, up to 2 minutes, in English, showing your Applink integration working
- Required
Submission form on the portal
- Optional, encouraged
Deployed URL of your live solution
// Don't get disqualified
- !Keep your repo, deployed URL and video accessible until the end of the finale.
- !Build during the hackathon. Declare any code, ideas or assets created earlier.
- !Open-source libraries, third-party services and AI tools are allowed if licences are respected and use is disclosed.
- !Respect third-party IP and the laws of Bangladesh.
[ 09 ] How you will be judged
Know the scorecard.
The same weights apply in both rounds. Winners are chosen on overall score only, and teams are ranked within their own track.
Insight
Nearly half your score (45%) comes from originality and how well you use Applink. Make both obvious in your PDF and demo.
Round 1
1 to 4 Dec
Entries that pass the eligibility screen are scored on the proposal PDF, code and demo video. The top 10 teams in each track go to the finale.
Round 2
Grand Finale, live
Finalists give a live demo and pitch at the Grand Finale, followed by Q&A with the jury.
- Innovation & originality25%
- Applink integration20%
- Technical implementation20%
- Business viability20%
- Problem-solution fit & impact10%
- Presentation & Blank Page5%
Final
word.
The jury
Your work will be judged by internationally recognized tech experts. The jury's decision is final.
[ 10 ] The Grand Finale
Your moment on stage.
Date to be announced
TBA
December 2026
Venue to be announced
- Format
- Physical, one-day event
- Finalists
- 10 teams per track, 20 teams and up to 80 participants
- Attend
- At least two members of each finalist team must attend in person. A team with no one present may be disqualified.
- Travel
- At your own expense. Travel, accommodation and personal costs are not covered.
Running order
Draft- 01Registration and welcome
- 02Inter-University demos and Q&A
- 03Community & Industry demos and Q&A
- 04Jury deliberation
- 05Awards for both tracks
- 06Networking
On the day
- +Every finalist receives a certificate and AppQuest merchandise
- +Winners are announced for each track
- +Meet the Banglalink and hSenid Mobile teams
[ 11 ] What winners get
Valuable prizes are loading
Each track crowns its own winners, so there are six cash prizes up for grabs, from a prize pool higher than AppQuest 1.0. Prize values will be revealed soon on official AppQuest, Applink and partner channels. Keep an eye out.
The podium
x2: one per track1st Runner-Up
Champion
2nd Runner-Up
Every finalist also gets
Certificates
Official recognition as an AppQuest 2.0 finalist
Merchandise
AppQuest gear to wear with pride
Go-live support
Help taking your app live on Applink after the finale
Networking
Time with the Banglalink and hSenid Mobile teams
Spotlight
Features on Applink and partner channels
Good to know
Prizes are per team and subject to government taxes in Bangladesh. Theme prizes may be added by partners.
[ 12 ] Pre-submission checklist
Tick every box.
Work through it as a team before you hit submit. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
Progress
0/22
Heads up: only your latest entry before the deadline counts, so submit early and update if you need to.
[ 13 ] Quick answers
You asked. We answered.
Still stuck? Ask in the AppQuest 2.0 support channel or reach the team directly.
Can I join on my own?
No. Teams need 2 to 4 members, and each person can be on one team only.
We study at different universities. Which track?
Community & Industry. Inter-University teams must all be from the same university.
Do we have to use Applink?
Yes. At least one working Applink API (SMS, Subscription, CaaS, USSD or OTP) is required to be eligible for prizes.
Can we use AI tools and open-source code?
Yes, as long as you respect the licences and disclose what you used.
Can we bring an idea we started earlier?
Work must be done during the hackathon. Any earlier code, ideas or assets must be declared in your submission.
Does our theme or category affect our score?
No. Winners are chosen on overall score only.
Can we change team members?
Yes, until 20 Nov 2026. After that, changes need written approval from the organizers.
Who owns what we build?
You do. Teams keep full ownership of the intellectual property in their projects.
Can finalists switch to a new project?
No. Finalists improve the same project during the enhancement sprint.
Is travel to the finale covered?
No. Participants travel at their own expense, and at least two members per finalist team must attend.
How are prizes paid?
By bank transfer to the Team Lead's Bangladeshi account, or split on a signed request from all members, normally within 30 working days after checks.
What if we submit twice?
No problem. Only your latest submission before the deadline is evaluated.
[ 14 ] Ready, builder?
See you at the finale.
Form a team of 2 to 4, register by 18 Nov, build with at least one Applink API and submit by 30 Nov, 11:59 PM BST.
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Submissions
Not yet openSubmissions are not yet open.
The submission form opens on 24 Nov 2026 and closes on 30 Nov 2026, 11:59 PM BST. Keep building and get your proposal PDF, GitHub link and demo video ready.
Submissions open in // BST
Now open / Satellite events
Only 20 slotsHost it at your campus
Bring AppQuest 2.0 to your campus.
Universities, institutions, tech communities and organizations in Bangladesh can host their own AppQuest 2.0 Satellite Event: a local edition at their own location, running in parallel with the main hackathon on the same timeline, with the same rules and the same 30 Nov submission deadline. We bring the hackathon, you bring the builders.
- Themes, rules, registration, platform, mentoring and judging are already in place
- Every satellite event is recognized at the Grand Finale
- Special winners awarded for each qualifying satellite
- Continued support from the Applink team after the hackathon
- Satellite slots, first come, first served
- 20
- Cost to join as a satellite host
- BDT 0
- Applications close, 23:59 BST
- 16 Nov
- Teams needed for satellite awards
- 10+
Registering is an application, not a confirmation. Your slot is held once the Applink team confirms it and sends your satellite code.