Gloo AI Hackathon Awards $250,000 for Values-Aligned AI Innovations Advancing Human Flourishing

Nearly 700 tech innovators participated to build AI technologies advancing the mission of the global Church

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gloo, a technology platform serving the faith ecosystem, today announced the winners of its third annual Gloo AI Hackathon, held Oct. 8-10, in Boulder, Colorado. The three-day event brought together developers, content creators, Bible translators, publishers, church leaders, game designers and more to harness AI for human flourishing and organizational thriving within Christian communities. More than $250,000 in cash prizes were awarded to the top-performing teams whose ideas pushed the boundaries of what values-aligned AI can do.

The Hackathon attracted 98 teams and nearly 700 participants from around the world, both in person and virtually. Centered on the theme "AI that helps people flourish — spiritually, relationally, emotionally and beyond," the event challenged some of today's brightest minds to reimagine how technology can serve the Church and the greater good. Participants also had the opportunity to learn from industry leading voices in tech, theology and strategy through a lineup of inspiring talks that included Bobby Gruenewald, Founder of YouVersion; Carey Nieuwhof, a best-selling leadership author, speaker, podcaster; James Kelly, founder and CEO of FaithTech; Alex "Magnus" Lehmann, director of creative management at Riot Games; Bryan Brown, CEO of Masterworks; and Michael Arena, the dean of the Crowell School of Business at Biola University, among others.

For the event, three challenges were presented — spanning developers, gaming, and vibe coding tracks — pushing participants to reimagine what values-aligned technology could look like in practice. From building tools that strengthen community connections, to creating immersive faith-based gaming experiences, to designing new ways for people to engage with Scripture, each track stretched the boundaries of what's possible when innovation meets purpose.

Submissions were reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges that included Scott Beck, co-founder and CEO of Gloo; James Chung, CTO of YouVersion; Eric Célérier, CEO of HelloBible; and Scott Mosley, VP of Software at RightNow Media, who looked for solutions that not only worked but moved people.

"At Gloo, we believe technology should not only be powerful — it should be redemptive," said Beck. "The Gloo AI Hackathon brought together some of the brightest minds in tech and faith to build technologies that empower ministries, uplift communities and help people become all they were created to be. AI has the potential to shape culture, faith, and human flourishing — and it was incredible to see that power directed toward good, right before our eyes."

Participants were eligible for $250,000 in cash prizes, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, as well as opportunities for future acceleration through continued investment and business development.

The Overall Grand Prize was awarded to Veritas from Austin Christian University, an immersive Bible app designed to help people not just know the Bible, but live it. Built for a generation searching for meaning, it offers clarity, context and confidence through biblically grounded tools that guide users to truth and transformation.

Prizes were awarded across additional categories including:

• Best of Hacking Track – Kommonwealth from kommon.ai
• Best of Gaming Track – Cede from BareHand
• Best of Vibe Coding Track – Flora from Biola University
• Best of Gloo Track – TheoBox from XRI Global
• Best Technology – Church Search Engine from Pastors AI
• Best Design – Adventure Awaits: Family Road Trip from So Peculiar
• Best Storytelling – Spiritual Openness Score from Apologist Project
• Best Concept – faith.tools AI Kit from faith.tools x Lightworks
• International Prize – Trellis from Trellis/Australia
• Bible Translation Prize – Glossbot from Glossbot
• Hackers' Choice 1 – Ephphatha from Biola University
• Hackers' Choice 2 – Ripples from Clear Creek Community Church

"There is a massive opportunity for the Church to shape the future of AI positively, but it takes collaboration across the faith community to do so with greater impact," said Nick Skytland, vice president of Gloo Developers. "When we come together with focus and intention, we spark innovation and challenge boundaries. We're grateful for the creativity and contributions of every hacker and excited to see how their technologies will uplift, connect and transform people everywhere."

To learn more about the Hackathon and this year's winners, visit www.gloo.com/hackathon.

About Gloo
Gloo is a leading technology platform for the faith and flourishing ecosystem, providing values-based AI, resources, insights and funding so people and communities flourish and organizations thrive. Gloo serves over 140,000 faith, ministry and nonprofit leaders and is based in Boulder, Colorado. For more information visit Gloo.com.

SOURCE Gloo