01
Declare one idea.
A software business. A real problem. Someone who might actually pay. Lock it in.
THE FREE COMMUNITY EDITION
CREW RECRUITMENT IS OPEN / 16 NOV — 16 DEC 2026
ShipOrCry.
30 days. One idea.
Real progress.
Build a software business. Find customers. Make money.
Free tools, useful people, and an AI agent to keep you on track.
£0 entry No credit card No lone-wolf nonsense
ONE IDEA. THIRTY DAYS. NO TAKE-BACKS.Build something. Make money. Cry occasionally.
51° SHIP · 00° CRY
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE ↓ ONE IDEA✦ 72-HOUR CHECK-INS✦ A CREW IN YOUR CORNER✦ REAL BUSINESS. REAL PROFIT.
THE ORIGIN STORY
Well, that escalated
quickly. ↗
quickly. ↗
Apparently hackathons
cost money now.
We started building a free alternative.
Then the other one went free too.
Fair play. We’re building ours anyway.
Because we think there’s something better than one massive winner: a community helping people actually build businesses.
Enter both. There’s no exclusivity here. We’re an independent event, with absolutely no official affiliation.
YOUR MAP TO LESS TALKING, MORE SHIPPINGFour steps.
Read the rules Four steps.
A few questionable decisions.
02
Build for 30 days.
Make the thing. Talk to people. Keep the idea. Improve everything else.
03
Check in. Keep going.
Post a short update every 72 hours. Your crew keeps you accountable.
04
Ship. Find customers.
Launch it, try to make a sale, and build a business worth carrying on.
One original idea. New software businesses. Highest verified net profit wins the ranked competition.The fine print →
NO BUILDER LEFT ON AN ISLANDWinning is nice.
Winning is nice.
Actually building
something is better.
Find people using your stack, tackling similar problems, or offering the help you need. Give a little feedback. Get a little unstuck.
You don’t need to top a leaderboard to leave with something worth keeping.
Find your people BUILT FOR YOU. AND YOUR COPILOT.Your coding agent
Your coding agent
can do the
paperwork.
You’re already building with AI. Let your agent help with your declaration, approved check-ins, useful perks and finding your crew.
Meet your shipmateOr use the website. We won’t judge. Much.
YOU
Help me join ShipOrCry with the product I’m building.
YOUR AGENT · EXAMPLE WORKFLOW
One idea. Thirty days. Let’s make it count.
Explain the rules
Collect your project details
Show your full declaration
Wait for your approval to lock it
Less admin. More shipping. Still free.▌
LOOT FOR THE WHOLE CREWWe’re trying to get
We’re trying to get
something for everyone.
Useful tools beat another participation badge. We’re working on credits, resources and perks to help you build.
THE TREASURE HUNT IS ON
Got something useful? Good perks take real conversations.
No confirmed offers to show yet. We’ll publish them when secured.
No imaginary credits. No mystery prize pot.
Highest verified net profit leads the rankings. Prizes will only be announced when confirmed.Explore perks & resources →
THE BUILDERS WALLGreat things start
Explore the crew Great things start
with a terrible working name.
Your idea could be the first flag on this island.
Every competition project appears on the builders wall. Declare your idea and show the crew what you’re building.
BRING REINFORCEMENTSThe more builders,
The more builders,
the better this gets.
More people to learn from. More useful connections. A stronger case for support from the tools we all use.
Know someone who’s been “working on an idea” since 2022? This is their sign.
Bring another builderGot something useful for a bunch of sleep-deprived founders?
Credits, tools, resources or prizes. Help the people doing the building.
Support the crew No paid packages. Just useful conversations.Is ShipOrCry really free?
Yes. Entry costs £0. No card, checkout or donation is required.
Why does this exist?
To help more people build and launch software businesses through focus, accountability and useful connections. Winning is nice. Making your first sale is pretty good too.
Is this connected to ShipOrDie?
No. ShipOrCry is an independent community challenge. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by ShipOrDie.
Can I enter both competitions?
Yes. There is no exclusivity requirement. Make sure you understand and follow each event’s separate rules.
When does it start?
The competition starts on 16 November 2026 at 17:00 UTC and ends on 16 December 2026 at 17:00 UTC, exactly 30 days later. Registration and preparation are open before kickoff.
What can I build?
A new software business: a SaaS, app, developer tool, API, AI product, software marketplace, directory or community platform. Courses, e-books, physical products, conventional e-commerce, agencies and consulting do not qualify for the ranked competition.
Thirty days are going
to pass anyway.
May as well build something.
JOIN FREE YOUR WALLET CAN SIT THIS ONE OUT.