Pump.fun Launches Pump Fund: $3M Hackathon to Back 12 Startups

Pump.fun just made a clear move beyond pure memecoin momentum. It launched Pump Fund, a new investment arm, and opened with a $3 million Build in Public hackathon designed to fund 12 projects. 

Each selected team can receive $250,000 at a $10 million valuation, plus guidance from Pump.fun’s founders.

Key Takeaways

• Pump Fund starts with a 30 day Build in Public hackathon that uses market interest as the main signal, not a judge panel.
• The program targets 12 winners, with $250,000 each at a $10 million valuation, and projects do not need to be crypto only.
• Teams must launch a token and keep meaningful ownership, which changes how early funding and early trading collide.

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What Pump Fund Is and Why Pump.fun Is Doing This Now

Pump Fund is Pump.fun’s attempt to turn its massive attention funnel into something that can support longer build cycles. In Pump.fun’s own framing, the idea is to align with projects long term and back teams across different stages and categories, not only crypto native apps. 

That point matters because it signals a broader startup lens, even if the platform’s roots are firmly in Solana token launches.

This pivot also arrives after a visible cooling in activity compared with prior highs. Cointelegraph notes that Pump.fun trading volumes have fallen from early 2025 highs, citing a peak monthly volume of $11.75 billion in January 2025 and $2.43 billion in December. 

You do not need to treat those numbers as a verdict, but they do explain the timing: when a single product category slows, platforms look for the next durable loop.

From a founder perspective, the pitch is straightforward. Early stage teams often spend weeks polishing decks for panels. Pump Fund is trying to replace that with a short cycle where shipping and public progress are the proof. Founders still need to earn trust, but the scoreboard shifts from private meetings to visible execution and user pull.

Read also : How to Avoid Rug Pulls on Pump.fun in 2026: Practical Safety Tips

How the $3M Build in Public Hackathon Works

The Build in Public hackathon is the first major initiative under Pump Fund. It runs for 30 days and is designed to fund 12 projects, with $250,000 per team at a $10 million valuation. The key mechanic is tokenization: participants create a token, share product updates, and let the market decide which projects gain real traction. 

There are also basic participation rules that shape incentives. AInvest reports that participants must launch a token and own at least 10% of its supply to qualify. Live Bitcoin News adds similar detail and emphasizes the long term alignment angle plus founder mentorship. 

In other words, this is not only a marketing contest. Teams are expected to keep ownership and keep building, not just rent attention for a week.

A quick list of what teams should plan for

1. A working product direction you can ship in public, fast.
2. A token design that matches your product, not just a name.
3. A clear ownership plan that meets the 10% retention expectation and signals commitment.
4. A public update cadence on X and community touchpoints that show progress.
5. A realistic plan for liquidity and early trading risks, since markets can reward hype before fundamentals.

Live Bitcoin News reports applications are open until February 18, 2026, and describes the first winners as being announced after the initial cycle. Treat dates as subject to change and always verify with the official Pump.fun account, but it gives a practical window for builders who want to join.

Read also : PUMPV2 on Bitrue Alpha - Coin Explanation and Opportunity

Token Angle and Price Analysis: What to Watch in the Market

Because the hackathon requires launching a token, the funding mechanism is inseparable from price behavior. That is both the appeal and the risk. On the appeal side, token markets can fund teams quickly and provide instant feedback. 

On the risk side, early charts can be driven by attention more than product value, especially in thin liquidity conditions. Cointelegraph frames this as a market-judged model, where early supporters “bet” on teams. That language is important: it reminds you that a token price can move on expectations long before a product is real.

Price context for PUMP

AInvest notes that Pump.fun’s native token, PUMP, ran up after its July launch but later fell roughly 70% from its highs, with a reported price around $0.0026 at the time of its write up. It also highlights $0.0030 as a key level traders were watching and points to mixed sentiment in derivatives data. 

This is not a prediction, but it is a useful snapshot: the Pump Fund news landed while PUMP was still in a recovery and credibility phase, not in a pure euphoria phase.

Read also : MEV Trading and Pump Fun Lawsuit: What the New Class Action Means

A practical example: reading a Solana token by contract address

In any tokenized hackathon model, you should be comfortable verifying assets by contract address, not by name. For example, this Solana token address is GnFMf6JVRhAqPbA9r8yW16xycynKNkXfbaYbusLEpump. 

On Solscan, the token page shows real time basics like price, supply, and market cap, which can shift quickly. As one snapshot, Solscan showed a price around $0.0066 and a market cap around $6.6 million, with supply near 1 billion tokens. Use this as a method demo, not as an endorsement.

Where Bitrue fits for safer trading habits

If you prefer trading with clearer order books and account protections, Bitrue is a solid option to consider. Bitrue emphasizes a security focused trading environment and supports active markets that can be easier to manage than thin onchain pools. 

If you plan to participate in new listings or track trending tokens, open Bitrue, enable strong account security, and use limit orders where possible.

In a tokenized funding event like Pump Fund, your best guardrails are still simple. Verify the contract address, check liquidity and holder concentration, watch how the team communicates progress, and do not confuse short term green candles with long term product delivery. 

This is especially relevant because Pump Fund aims to support projects that “ship quickly” while also assessing long term viability. That second part is harder to measure, but it is the part that matters most.

Read also : PUMP Token Rallies 114%: Current Outlook and Entry Levels

A Short Note for Active Traders

Registering on Bitrue is straightforward:

• Create an account using your email
• Complete basic verification
• Deposit funds and start trading

Diversifying tools and platforms helps traders stay flexible across markets.

Conclusion

Pump.fun launching Pump Fund is a meaningful experiment: a $3 million Build in Public hackathon that funds 12 projects while letting market participation act as the core signal. The upside is obvious: faster funding, public accountability, and founder mentorship. 

The downside is also obvious: tokens can move faster than products, and the market can reward hype before substance. If you follow the event, focus on verifiable progress, clear token economics, and contract level verification. That is how you stay informed without getting swept up.

FAQ

What is Pump Fund by Pump.fun

Pump Fund is a new investment arm from Pump.fun aimed at backing startup projects with longer term alignment.

How much funding is in the Pump Fund hackathon

The Build in Public hackathon allocates $3 million total, spread across 12 projects.

How are winners selected

Projects launch a token and build in public, and market traction helps determine which teams stand out rather than a judge panel.

Do projects have to be crypto related

No. Reporting notes projects do not need to be crypto only, and Pump Fund is positioned as broader startup support.

What is the biggest risk for participants and traders

Token prices can spike on attention before products mature, so contract verification, liquidity checks, and progress tracking are essential. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed belong exclusively to the author and do not reflect the views of this platform. This platform and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided. It is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice.