Ring $500K Appstore Challenge: Win a $250,000 Grand Prize Plus Cash and Ring Kits [1004 Winners]

Have an app idea that could change how people use smart home technology? The Ring $500K Appstore Challenge offers aspiring innovators a chance to turn their creativity into serious rewards, including a $250,000 grand prize, three additional major cash awards, and valuable Ring technology kits for finalists. Bring your boldest ideas to life and take your shot at an incredible opportunity!

Limit

• Limit one (1) entry and subsequent app per person throughout the contest.
• Entries may be submitted individually or by teams of up to three eligible participants.
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington, DC, who are at least 18 years old.
• Entrants must be authorized to work in the United States and enrolled full-time or part-time in a college or university program leading to an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree.
• All team members must meet the eligibility requirements.
• The entry period may close early once 1,500 eligible entries have been received.
• Each entrant may win only one App Prize, and each finalist or finalist team may receive only one Finalist Prize.

How to Enter - Ring $500k Appstore Challenge

Free Online Entry - Phase 1:

• Visit https://ring.com/appchallenge.
• Complete the online entry form with your full legal name, phone number, email address, and college or university.
• Submit an original app proposal demonstrating a creative approach to app design, functionality, and the use of Amazon and Ring technologies.
• Agree to the Ring Appstore Schedule and Ring Appstore Program Requirements.
• Submit one eligible entry individually or with a team of up to three people.

No purchase or payment is necessary to participate. Entries must be original and cannot substantially duplicate existing Ring Appstore applications.

Phase 2 - Finalist App Development:

• Up to 1,000 finalists will be selected and required to return a prize acceptance form, assignment of rights, and release within three days.
• Each finalist or finalist team will receive a Ring kit containing a camera, sensor, and applicable Ring subscription.
• Develop the proposed app and complete the Ring Appstore certification process by 03/01/2027.
• Make the app available to users on the Ring Appstore beginning 03/01/2027 and ensure it remains available through 05/01/2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
• Apps may be temporarily removed for maintenance but must be available when the contest concludes.

Winning App Prize recipients, or at least one member of each winning team, must attend Demo Day in Hawthorne, California, on or around 06/03/2027 to receive their App Prize.

Random Drawing

This is a skill-based contest, not a random drawing. Entries and completed apps are evaluated according to the official judging and performance criteria.

• Phase 1: Judges evaluate innovation and originality (50%), technical feasibility and Ring integration (30%), and consumer value and usefulness (20%). Up to 1,000 finalists will be determined by 12/14/2026.
• Grand Prize: Awarded based on the highest qualifying monthly recurring revenue as of 05/01/2027, subject to minimum revenue and paid-account requirements.
• Most Impactful Aging in Place App: Selected through judging of usefulness, accessibility, independence, and potential benefits for older adults and caregivers.
• Most Popular App: Awarded to the app with the most qualifying users as of 05/01/2027.
• Most Inventive App: Judged on innovation, execution and user experience, Amazon/Ring technology integration, and consumer utility, each weighted 25%.
• Winners will be determined on or about 05/17/2027.
• App Prize winners will be notified first by phone and then by email. Required documents must be returned within three business days.

Prizes - Ring $500k Appstore Challenge

Grand Prize:

• Number of winners: 1.
• Prize: $250,000 cash.
• Individual prize value: $250,000.
• Requires at least 100 unique, verifiable active paid accounts and monthly recurring revenue of at least $500. The prize will not be awarded if no app meets these requirements.

Most Impactful Aging in Place App Prize:

• Number of winners: 1.
• Prize: $100,000 cash.
• Individual prize value: $100,000.

Most Popular App Prize:

• Number of winners: 1.
• Prize: $75,000 cash.
• Individual prize value: $75,000.

Most Inventive App Prize:

• Number of winners: 1.
• Prize: $75,000 cash.
• Individual prize value: $75,000.

Finalist Prizes:

• Number of prizes: Up to 1,000.
• Prize: One Ring kit containing a camera, sensor, and applicable Ring subscription per finalist or finalist team.
• Individual ARV: $160.
• Category ARV: $160,000.

Demo Day Travel and Accommodation:

• Number of travel packages: 4.
• Prize: Round-trip economy airfare to Hawthorne, California, three days and two nights of hotel accommodations, and one $250 Uber gift card.
• Individual ARV: $2,350.
• Category ARV: $9,400.
• Travel is provided for each App Prize winner or qualifying winning team representative, with no guests permitted.

For winning teams, cash awards are divided equally among team members. Prize recipients are responsible for applicable taxes and expenses not expressly covered by the sponsor.

Total ARV of All Prizes: $609,400.