Meta VR Start Developer Competition 2026

THE META VR START DEVELOPER COMPETITION IS BACK!

This year’s eight-week challenge calls on Start program members to build the next generation of Entertainment, Gaming, and Productivity experiences for Meta VR devices – including Meta VR Glasses and Meta Quest. We’re looking for hands-first apps that make interaction more natural and gameplay more intuitive than ever before.

Last year, over 2,900 developers joined the competition and delivered more than 650 submissions that pushed the boundaries of immersive technology. This year, we’re raising the bar again.

Whether you’re a first-time Start developer with a breakthrough idea or a seasoned creator ready to showcase what’s possible with the latest platform capabilities, this is your moment to help redefine the future of VR.

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• 🤝 Build hands-first. Design experiences powered by hand interactions that feel natural, responsive, and deeply immersive—no controllers required.
• 🛠️ Explore new tech. Take advantage of the latest OS capabilities and device features across Meta VR Glasses and Meta Quest, accelerate your development with AI tooling, including Meta VR CLI.
• 🌍 Join a global community. Boost your skills through mentor programming, collaborate with fellow developers, share insights, and learn from a thriving network of experienced VR developers.
• 🏆 Compete for $1M in cash prizes with top prizes of $100,000.

The future of VR is in your hands literally.

We can’t wait to see what you build.

GETTING STARTED

1. If you’re not already a member of the Start program, apply now to join the competition.
   Estimated time: 5 minutes
2. Explore last year’s winning submissions and Sample Use Cases for Inspiration
   Estimated time: 30 minutes
   • Entertainment
   • Gaming I ​​Quest Gamer Segments
   • Productivity: AnExplorer
   • Hands: Hands Physics Lab I ​​Table Troopers
3. Follow a Quickstart Tutorial (below)
   Estimated time: 30 minutes
   • Unity: VR 101 I VR 102
   • Unreal: How to Make VR Games in UE5
   • Android: From Mobile to VR Overview
   • Immersive Web SDK: Your First Steps into Immersive Web Development
   • Getting Started with Hands & Eyes

Check out the Resources tab for more technical documentation and visit the Meta Developer Forum for ongoing support and access to upcoming competition events and workshops.