Build challenge
The₦1,000,000Build Challenge
The best app built by a student of the Build with AI Like a Software Engineer Masterclass wins ₦1,000,000.
01Key dates
Key dates
All times WAT
Masterclass (online)
Thursday 26 November to Sunday 29 November 2026
Build window
Monday 30 November to Wednesday 2 December 2026
Submission deadline
Wednesday 2 December, 11:59pm
Demo day (live online)
Thursday 3 December, 7:00pm
Winner announced
At the end of demo day
02The rules
How to take part
Who can enter
Anyone who paid for and attended the 26 to 29 November cohort. One entry per student.
Who can't win
Staff, contractors, affiliates, judges, and their close relatives can enter and present if they’ve paid for the cohort, but are not eligible for the prize.
What to build
Your own app, built during the build window, using what you learned in the masterclass. You can use AI tools, that’s the point. The app you built with us in class doesn’t count. It has to be your own idea.
Originality
Your app must be built during the build window. We check your GitHub commit history. Apps started before 30 November, or built by someone else, are disqualified.
How to enter
Submit before the deadline using the entry form we’ll share in the Telegram group: a live link to your app, your GitHub repository link, and a one-line description of what it does.
If your repository is private, add janvinsha@gmail.com as a collaborator so we can review your code.
Prepare to demo when you submit. Shortlisted finalists present live on demo day, so have your app working and know how you’ll walk through it.
Demo day
Demo day is a live online session. Each finalist shares their screen and shows their app working for up to 3 minutes, then takes a couple of questions. If there are more entries than time allows, the judges will shortlist finalists from the submissions, and everyone shortlisted presents live. You must present live to win.
03Judging
How it’s judged
How well it's built
Structure, login, and whether users can only see their own data.
Security
Secrets kept safe, nothing exposed.
Usefulness
Does it solve a real problem for real people?
Presentation
Can you explain what you built and how it works?
The winner is decided by a public vote or by external judges. We’ll announce which, and who, before demo day.
Scoring
Each finalist is scored out of 10 on each of the four criteria. Demo day is recorded. The judges’ decision is final, and we won’t enter into disputes about scores.
04The prize
One winner. One big cheque.
Nexaero Labs Nigeria Limited
Date 3 December 2026
PayThe winner of the Build Challenge
The sum ofOne million naira only
₦1,000,000
Authorised signature
One winner receives a ₦1,000,000 cheque from NEXAERO LABS NIGERIA LIMITED, presented within 7 days of demo day.
If two entries tie, the judges will pick one winner after a follow-up question round.
Recognition
The top finalists receive a finalist certificate and a shout-out, as well as the overall winner receiving the prize.
Your payment and the challenge
You’re paying for the masterclass. The challenge is optional and separate. Not winning, not being shortlisted, or not entering is not a reason for a refund.
05Fine print
The fine print
Disqualification
An entry can be disqualified if it wasn’t built by the student, was built before the build window, copies another student’s work, is misleading or harmful, or the student can’t explain how it works.
Using your entry
By entering, you agree that we can show your app, your name and clips from demo day in our marketing. You keep ownership of your app.
Other
This challenge is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram, Facebook, Meta or TikTok. Organised by NEXAERO LABS NIGERIA LIMITED. We may update these rules before the masterclass starts; any change will be posted here.
Only students can enter.
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Refunds only before the class starts. Refund policy
₦100,000. Doors close Tuesday 24 November.