Joerg Hiller
Jan 08, 2026 08:51
Discover the winners of the 2025 Algorand (ALGO) Startup Challenges, showcasing innovative blockchain solutions across various sectors.
The Algorand (ALGO) Foundation has announced the winners of the 2025 Algorand Startup Challenges, a competition designed to support and nurture innovative blockchain projects. The event, which wrapped up in December 2025, was a culmination of a multi-month builder journey that began in October and concluded with a final pitch competition on December 12th, according to the Algorand Foundation.
Startup Challenge Highlights
Throughout the competition, over 220 startups participated in various sessions, with 75 teams submitting applications to pitch their projects. The judging panel, composed of experts from diverse fields within the Algorand ecosystem, narrowed the field through two semi-final pitch rounds, ultimately selecting 10 finalist teams for the live final pitch competition.
Winners and Their Innovations
The winners of the 2025 Algorand Startup Challenges showcased a range of innovative solutions:
- BrainChain – Awarded Best Pitch, this team is developing a decentralized data marketplace for brain-computer interface data.
- UrVote – Recognized for Best Proof of Concept, UrVote offers a blockchain-powered voting platform for secure and transparent elections.
- Xythum Labs – Focuses on privacy-preserving cross-chain settlement to address institutional blockchain challenges.
- Orbital Lending – A DeFi lending protocol that enhances capital efficiency through liquid staking token collateral.
- Contract Studio – Provides a tokenization platform bridging traditional finance and blockchain with regulatory compliance.
- Casalotto – A raffle platform funding Italian heritage site restoration through Algorand’s blockchain.
- CompliLedger – Awarded Best Female-led Team, it offers compliance automation using AI and zero-knowledge proofs.
- ClearSpend – A financial literacy platform for teens promoting responsible spending habits.
- Alo Agritech (Kheti-Badi) – Ensures transparency in organic food supply chains using blockchain technology.
- Jigsy Puzzle – A gaming platform with plans for Algorand blockchain integration, offering spatial puzzles and multiplayer tournaments.
Judging and Future Opportunities
The judging panel was instrumental in evaluating the projects based on technical execution, product clarity, and long-term potential. The semi-final judges included Fred Estante, David Rojas, Joseph Cecala, Jorrin Bruns, Sarah Kollnitzer, and Victor Estival, while the final pitch competition was judged by Min Wei, Marc Vanlerberghe, and Fabio Maffioli.
The Algorand Foundation is committed to supporting these startups as they continue to grow within the ecosystem. Future editions of the Startup Challenges are anticipated, offering further opportunities for innovative blockchain projects to gain visibility and support.
Image source: Shutterstock
Source: https://blockchain.news/news/algorand-announces-winners-2025-startup-challenges
