One day to go from idea to working product. Türkiye's first Y Combinator simulation.
- One day
- Four themes
- 200,000 TL prize
- Free
Türkiye's first Y Combinator simulation.
Fountain Hackathon is a one-day event modeled on Y Combinator. Teams choose a theme, identify a real problem, speak with users, and deliver a working product by evening.
Judging follows YC-style criteria. Teams need a real problem, customer validation, a working product, and a credible path to building a company.
- Vision
- We want more people in Türkiye to build products and start companies.
- Mission
- We organize a serious one-day build event with clear rules, meaningful prizes, and a venue that reflects the effort participants put in.
At a glance
Date, venue, format, prizes, and eligibility.
- Date
- December 2026Exact date to be announced
- Venue
- Yıldız Technical University, Davutpaşa Campus, IstanbulTarihi Hamam
- Format
- Hackathon, all day
- Prize pool
- 200,000 TLTop three teams
- Admission
- Free
- Who can enter
- Professionals, recent graduates, students
- Applications
- Opening soonSolo or team of up to five
A historic venue on campus.
The Tarihi Hamam at Yıldız Technical University's Davutpaşa Campus, beside the metro station.
The campus sits inside the Davutpaşa Barracks, built in 1826. The barracks bathhouse was restored in 2019 and now serves as the university event hall.
One large room, high ceilings, daylight through the dome. Enough space for teams working through the day.
Exact hall details and the schedule are shared during the application process.
Davutpaşa Campus entrance 
Davutpaşa Barracks
Four themes
Each team builds in one theme. Prompts are shared on event day.
Fountain of Life
Health, accessibility, education. Projects that improve how people live day to day.
Example companiesFountain of Mind
AI, software, data, automation. Projects for better thinking, building, and decisions.
Example companiesFountain of Balance
Resources, environment, living spaces. Projects that build efficient, sustainable systems.
Example companiesFountain of Growth
Finance, commerce, logistics, markets. Projects that create opportunities and move the economy forward.
Example companies
Schedule
Exact times will be shared during the application process.
- 01
Morning
Check-in and opening
Participants gather at Davutpaşa Campus. Teams take their final form, and themes are announced.
- 02
All day
Fountain!
One full day of building in your chosen theme, from problem to validation to product.
- 03
Evening
Submission and judging
Teams submit their work. The jury evaluates against three criteria.
- 04
Closing
Awards ceremony
Winning teams are announced and the 200,000 TL prize pool is awarded.
Total prize pool
200,000TL
- 011st place100,000 TL
- 022nd place65,000 TL
- 033rd place35,000 TL
Judging criteria
Teams are evaluated on three criteria.
- 01
Business model
Show that the problem you are solving is real, and explain how it could become a company.
- 02
Customer validation
Test your assumptions by speaking with potential users, and show what you learned.
- 03
Execution and design
Show a working product or demo by the end of the day.
Partners
Fountain works with companies that want to put their products in front of builders. Contact us for the sponsorship deck.
Put your product to work
Throughout the day, participants can use your API, cloud infrastructure, AI model, database, or developer tool directly in their projects.
Reach a strong talent pool
Access CVs and contact details from engineers, designers, and founders who choose to share them.
Stay visible throughout the event
Your logo appears at the venue, on banners, on the website, and in event communications.
Frequently asked questions
A one-day Y Combinator simulation in Istanbul, the first of its kind in Türkiye. Four themes, one day to build, 200,000 TL in prizes.
No. Participation is free.
Professionals, recent graduates, and students. There is no minimum experience requirement.
Turkish. Announcements, presentations, and judging are conducted in Turkish.
Either works. You may apply alone or with a team of up to five. If you do not have a team yet, there will be an opportunity to form one on event day.
Teams are judged on business model, customer validation, and execution and design. See the Judging section on this page for details.
Email hello@fountainhackathon.com or complete the sponsorship inquiry form. Our team will review your inquiry. The sponsorship document is shared separately only with our team's approval.
Apply to Fountain
Build something great. Applications open soon.