Pump.fun has taken a big step beyond just launching tokens. The platform has rolled out a new $3 million fund to support early-stage projects that are built openly and publicly on its ecosystem.
The new initiative is called Pump Fund, and it kicked off with a “Build in Public” hackathon that puts real market interest ahead of pitch decks and judging panels.
Instead of pitching to investors behind closed doors, teams are judged by how much real traction they can build in public. That means users, community growth, and actual progress matter more than polished slides or connections.
Under the program, 12 teams will be selected. Each one will receive $250,000 at a $10 million valuation, along with hands-on mentorship from Pump.fun’s founders. Applications are open until February 18, 2026, and the first winners are expected to be announced within about 30 days.
To qualify, teams must launch a token on Pump.fun, keep at least 10% of the token supply, and grow the project in full view of the public. Everything happens out in the open — building, updates, user feedback, and community engagement.
Pump.fun says this model lets the market decide what deserves funding. If people believe in a project, they support it early by buying into the token. That support becomes the signal, instead of approval from a small group of judges or venture firms.
Projects don’t have to be strictly crypto-focused either. Teams from different industries and at different stages are welcome, as long as they’re actively building and sharing progress honestly.
The platform says it’s looking for real signs of demand, steady growth, and long-term potential — not hype or flashy presentations.
This fund builds on other steps Pump.fun has taken over the past year, including creator grants, liquidity support, and platform changes meant to reduce rug pulls and improve collaboration between builders.
Reactions across the crypto space have been mixed. Some see this as a positive move that could help projects survive longer instead of fading out after launch. Others worry that market-driven funding could still favor hype over strong products, especially during volatile periods.
Even with those concerns, Pump Fund marks Pump.fun’s clearest move yet toward supporting projects after launch, not just at creation. Whether it leads to real, lasting companies or becomes another experiment will become clearer once the first teams start building in public.
