Announcing the 2026 Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge
Innovate with Databricks for the chance to win over $1M in prizes and potential venture funding
Summary
• The 2026 Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge is a global competition for early-stage B2B startups building core products on the Databricks platform, offering over $1 million in prizes and potential venture investment.
• Sponsored by Databricks Ventures and Databricks for Startups, the Startup Challenge provides a unique opportunity to connect the most innovative startups building on Databricks with Databricks resources, investors, and mentors.
• Finalists gain visibility at Data + AI Summit, receive product credits and possible equity investment, and access resources for accelerating product innovation and market success.
Are you a startup building core, customer-facing B2B products on Databricks? Then we have a Challenge for you! We are excited to launch our third-annual Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge, a competition with over $1M in prizes for early-stage startups who are building the most interesting, market-leading B2B applications on the Databricks Platform.
Sponsored by Databricks Ventures and Databricks for Startups, this is your chance to make a mark, gain unparalleled exposure and accelerate your journey to success.
Who Can Participate?
The Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge is open to current Databricks customers who use Databricks as a core part of the architecture powering a customer-facing, B2B application.
- Applicant companies must have been founded in the last five years, can be bootstrapped or must have raised a pre-seed, seed, Series A or Series B funding round (but not later than Series B).
- Organization must be a C corporation, LLC or other entity reasonably acceptable to Databricks.
- Must be incorporated in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, México, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States to be eligible.
- Entities not eligible include: student/university projects, incubators or unincorporated entities, entities explicitly established to participate in the Challenge, individuals/sole proprietorships, system integrators, companies for which Databricks Ventures is already an investor, Databricks employees and family of employees and Databricks Ventures portfolio companies.
- Review the Official Rules for more details (French and Korean translations also available).
Participating startups will be judged on how the startup is leveraging Databricks, the market potential for their offering, and the overall strength and experience of the founding team.
Why Should You Enter?
1. Unprecedented Prizes and Opportunities
Competing in the Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge means you’ll be in the running for over $1 million in prizes. This includes:
- Equity Investments: Opportunity to receive up to $600,000 USD in potential Databricks Ventures investment.*
- Databricks Product Credits: Significant Databricks product credits—up to $500,000 USD across the finalists—to fuel your growth and development.
- Exclusive Databricks Resources: Access to the Databricks team, executives and hands-on support to aid you in your product development journey.
2. Gain Global Exposure
Your startup will gain valuable visibility among industry leaders, potential investors and key stakeholders–including our illustrious panel of judges comprised of Stephen Orban (Databricks SVP, Product Ecosystem & Partnerships), Shanku Niyogi (Databricks VP, Product Management), Tim Porter (Managing Director, Madrona), and Madison Faulkner (Partner, NEA). With the Databricks category leadership in data and AI, the Challenge offers a unique stage to present your innovative ideas to a global audience and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and experts.
3. Accelerate Your Growth
Beyond the prizes, the Challenge provides invaluable resources and networking opportunities. Benefit from workshops, mentorship and feedback from top industry experts who can help refine your solution and strategy.
Databricks 101: A Practical Primer
How to Get Started
1. Learn More About the Challenge
Visit our Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge Hub to learn more about prizes, judging criteria and to access the application form.
2. Submit Your Application
The next step to competing is submitting your application. Share your B2B, customer-facing built-on Databricks application and tell us how it stands out. Ensure your submission highlights the uniqueness and potential impact of your offering.
3. Compete for the Grand Prizes
The challenge culminates with judging in late May and with the announcement of the winners during the week of June 15th during the Databricks Data + AI Summit in San Francisco. Stand a chance to win substantial rewards and gain valuable exposure in the tech community.
Important Dates to Remember
- Challenge Opens: March 23, 2026
- Application Deadline: May 22, 2026
- Finalist Prizes Awarded: Week of June 15, 2026
Build Your Unicorn of the Future with Databricks!
Ready to take the next step? Apply Now and make your mark on the AI landscape.
For more details, visit our Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge Hub.
Let’s shape the future together. We’re excited to see what you’ll create!
*POTENTIAL DATABRICKS VENTURE INVESTMENT:
The Grand Prize Winning Company will have the opportunity to receive a Databricks Ventures investment (see Official Rules for details and requirements).
Apply to the 2026 Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge via the Startup Challenge Hub and submit your Databricks-powered B2B application before the May 22, 2026 deadline.