Pinch Payments, a leading Australian payments and billing platform for service-based businesses, SaaS companies, and ISVs, have announced “Pinch Me, I Want $50K” a national hackathon challenging developers, designers, founders, and product thinkers to build the next generation of payment technology using real infrastructure to solve real business problems.
Applications are now open for the competition, which will feature in-person hubs at Tank Stream Labs in Sydney and Melbourne, and a Brisbane venue to be confirmed, alongside a fully supported remote participation track for builders anywhere in Australia. Applications close on 22 July, 2026, with the build phase running from 24 to 31 July, 2026 and a live Demo and Pitch Night on 10 August, where finalists will compete for the $50,000 cash prize.
The runner-up team receives $25,000 worth of free payment processing through Pinch, providing real commercial momentum for teams ready to take their build further.
The Challenge: Make Getting Paid Easier
The brief is deliberately open. Teams can build anything that uses the Pinch Payments API to solve a genuine business problem.
Pinch is giving participants full sandbox access to its payments infrastructure, including card and direct debit capabilities, billing automation tools and embedded finance features.
Open to Everyone. Free to Enter.
The event welcomes developers, designers, product managers, founders, students, and solo builders. No existing team is required; Pinch will facilitate team formation for solo applicants before the hackathon begins. AI-assisted development tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, Replit, and GitHub Copilot are permitted. Entry is completely free.
Finalists will pitch live on Demo Night to a panel of experienced fintech operators, founders, and investors.
Key Dates
- Applications close: 22 July 2026
- Hackathon starts: 24 July 2026
- Final submissions due: 31 July 2026
- Finalists announced: 3 August 2026
- Demo and Pitch Night: 10 August 2026
Early applicants will be prioritised for the limited in-person hub spots.