---
title: "Announcing the 2026 Built"
description: "Databricks has announced its third annual Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge, inviting early-stage startups that use Databricks as a core part of customer-facing, B2B applications to compete for more than $1M in prizes. Eligible companies must have been founded within the last five years, be incorporated in one of the listed countries, and be no later than Series B if funded. The competition offers a potential Databricks Ventures investment of up to $600,000, up to $500,000 in Databricks product credits across finalists, and access to Databricks resources, workshops, mentorship, and feedback. Judging considers Databricks usage, market potential, and founding team strength and experience; applications close May 22, 2026, with judging in late May and winner announcements during the week of June 15, 2026, at the Databricks Data + AI Summit in San Francisco."
---

# Announcing the 2026 Built

[Databricks](https://yomu.fyi/company/databricks) · Andrew Ferguson, Steve Sobel, Kevin Rasmussen, David Porter, Joslyn O'Connell · Sep 18, 2026

**Type:** Announcement

## Summary

Databricks has announced its third annual Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge, inviting early-stage startups that use Databricks as a core part of customer-facing, B2B applications to compete for more than $1M in prizes. Eligible companies must have been founded within the last five years, be incorporated in one of the listed countries, and be no later than Series B if funded. The competition offers a potential Databricks Ventures investment of up to $600,000, up to $500,000 in Databricks product credits across finalists, and access to Databricks resources, workshops, mentorship, and feedback. Judging considers Databricks usage, market potential, and founding team strength and experience; applications close May 22, 2026, with judging in late May and winner announcements during the week of June 15, 2026, at the Databricks Data + AI Summit in San Francisco.

## Context

The challenge is open to current Databricks customers building core, customer-facing B2B products. Applicants must meet requirements covering company age, funding stage, legal structure, incorporation country, and excluded entity types.

## Approach / What changed

Startups learn about the challenge and judging criteria through the Startup Challenge Hub, submit an application describing their Databricks-powered B2B application, and compete through judging in late May. Winners are announced during the week of June 15, 2026, at the Databricks Data + AI Summit in San Francisco.

## Takeaways

- Eligible startups must have been founded within the last five years, use Databricks as a core part of a customer-facing B2B application, and be incorporated in one of the specified countries.
- Prizes include a potential Databricks Ventures investment of up to $600,000 and up to $500,000 in Databricks product credits across finalists, alongside Databricks support and resources.
- Applications close May 22, 2026. Judging evaluates Databricks usage, market potential, and the strength and experience of the founding team.

## FAQ

### What kinds of startups can enter the Built-On Databricks Startup Challenge?

The challenge is open to current Databricks customers building customer-facing B2B applications in which Databricks is a core part of the architecture. Companies must have been founded within the last five years and may be bootstrapped or funded through Series B.

### What can finalists and winners receive?

The prizes include a potential Databricks Ventures investment of up to $600,000 and up to $500,000 in Databricks product credits across the finalists. Participants can also receive access to Databricks teams and executives, hands-on support, workshops, mentorship, and expert feedback.

### What is the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted by May 22, 2026. Judging takes place in late May, and winners are announced during the week of June 15, 2026, at the Databricks Data + AI Summit in San Francisco.

**Tags:** [AI](https://yomu.fyi/topic/ai), [Databricks](https://yomu.fyi/topic/databricks), [Startups](https://yomu.fyi/topic/startups)

- Source: [Databricks](https://www.databricks.com/blog/announcing-2026-built-databricks-startup-challenge)
- Source URL: https://www.databricks.com/blog/announcing-2026-built-databricks-startup-challenge
- Ingested by Yomu: 2026-09-17T14:06:31.487Z

[Read original post](https://www.databricks.com/blog/announcing-2026-built-databricks-startup-challenge)