Collaborate with creators to build their mobile app in 4 weeks
Shipyard: Creator Contest is a mobile app-building challenge where real influencers enlist you to build, launch, and monetize an MVP mobile app for their audience. In four weeks or less.
Choose your brief
7 creators to choose from. 7 real audiences to build for. 7 problems to solve. Choose your brief, and build the app they're looking for. Who knows what opportunities you'll unlock?
"Help take my community from dreaming to doing!"
"Simple AI coaching app."
"Money-saving app for busy mums."
"Investment tracker for all assets."
The shipping route
Anchors aweigh
Briefs are out and registration is open. Time to start building!
All hands on deck
Four weeks to build and monetize your MVP.
Land ho!
Submit your link and demo video by 11:59pm PST.
Captain's review
Submissions are reviewed by judging panel and the creators.
Dividing the loot
Winners are announced!
More than just cash
(but also $140k)
The 7 winning app-builders don't just get paid, they get the opportunity to build and monetize their app with the creator and unlock a primed audience.
- $20,000 per winning app
- 7 winners
- Feature on RevenueCat official channels
- Long-term credibility (and bragging rights)
- Opportunity to connect with the briefing influencer
These creators aren't just looking for a one-and-done MVP — they want a long-term, profitable app. If you ship the right thing, you might just discover a whole fleet of opportunities.
Rules and small print
Full code, no code, vibe code. Build the app your way. The only must-have? Your app needs to be monetized through RevenueCat.
📱 Mobile Apps Only
Submissions must be native or cross-platform mobile apps (iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, etc.). Web apps, desktop apps, and browser extensions are not eligible.
Key Dates
Key guidelines to keep in mind
- • Mobile apps only — iOS, Android, or cross-platform (no web/desktop apps)
- • All projects must be started and completed within the hackathon timeframe
- • Participants can only submit one app for one brief — choose wisely!
- • RevenueCat integration is mandatory — subscriptions or in-app purchases
- • Apps can be in the public App Store/Play Store, OR on TestFlight (iOS) / Play Internal Testing (Android)
- • Developers retain full ownership of all intellectual property
- • If you use an influencer's name or likeness, you must remove it before public launch (unless agreed with the influencer)
- • Any post-hackathon collaboration with influencers is separate from RevenueCat
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated by participating influencers and organizers based on:
Meet the judges
Our expert judges have experience building apps for and with influencers. They'll help shortlist submissions before creators make their final picks.
Co-created Focus Friend with YouTuber Hank Green, which reached #1 overall on iOS and Android, won an App Store Award in 2025, and was named Google Play's Best App of 2025. Solo-developed Boba Story, a mobile game with 18M+ downloads. 16+ years in mobile product development, previously at Google.
Entertainment executive turned AI pioneer. Founder of Ultimate AI, a platform for creators to own and monetize their AI selves. Built the Hawk Tuah AI App (Pookie Tools), generating 400M+ organic views in 7 days. Previously spent 8 seasons as a producer on American Idol at FOX and founded VEGO Pictures.
15-year software veteran and Founding Engineer at Chai. Built the first version of the platform's internal language model engine and now drives product innovation as an AI Researcher. Previously helped build Seamless Capital, an algorithmic trading startup.
$500+ in free tools and credits
Every eligible participant gets the Shipping Container — a curated bundle of tools, credits, and resources to help you build, launch, and monetize your MVP in four weeks.
Go from idea to working mobile app in minutes using plain English.
Ship a polished iOS or Android MVP without wrestling with native config.
Generate a complete cross-platform app from plain-English descriptions.
Full cloud dev environment with AI Agents handling setup and code gen.
AI execution partner for research, planning, and non-coding tasks.
Turn ideas into real apps with GPT-5 and 40+ integrations.
Real-world mobile UI/UX patterns for polished onboarding and paywalls.
Web payments, tax, and compliance — works seamlessly with RevenueCat.
Production-ready mobile apps from conversation with AI.
Market insights tool to validate your idea and launch smarter.
*While supplies last. Available to eligible participants only. See official rules for eligibility requirements.
Ready to build something real?
The briefs are open and the competition is on. Create an app you're proud of and make it happen.