Win the Swift Student Challenge. From someone who did.
A course by Ryan Kiapour, who won in 2026 at 14. Everything he learned about what Apple's judges reward, from the first idea to the final essay.
Most entries never stand a chance.
Apple doesn't tell you why you lost. These are the usual reasons.
- No feedbackScoring is confidential. You never find out what went wrong.
- Three minutesIf the idea doesn't land fast, it doesn't land.
- Strict rules25 MB, fully offline, built solo. One slip and you're disqualified.
- Essays countWritten responses are judged as seriously as the code.
What's in the course.
Five modules, built from a winning entry.
- 01What Apple actually wants. The three judging criteria decoded, and why polished entries still lose.
- 02Finding your concept. Turning something personal into an idea worth three minutes.
- 03Building the playground. Scoping, SwiftUI structure, and what to cut to stay under 25 MB.
- 04Polish and essays. Motion, accessibility, and written responses that land.
- 05Submitting. The final pass, and the traps that disqualify entries.
Taught by a 2026 winner.
Ryan Kiapour won Apple's Swift Student Challenge at 14. This course is the playbook he wished he'd had.
He couldn't find anything that explained what the judges actually reward, so he worked it out himself, and won.
Since then he's built websites for clients including Boston Children's Hospital.
The clock is already running.
Submissions are expected to open in early February 2027.
2027 dates are estimates based on 2024–2026. Apple usually announces in early November.
Free from the course: the checklist.
13 things to confirm before you submit. Saved in this browser.
Get early access.
Be first in when the course launches.
FAQ
When does the course launch?
It's being built now. Early access members get it first, before the public launch.
Who is it for?
Students entering the Swift Student Challenge, whether it's your first time or you've entered before. You should be comfortable writing basic Swift.
Will it guarantee a win?
No course can. It shows you what the judges reward so you can build toward it.
When does the 2027 challenge open?
Apple hasn't announced it yet. The last three windows opened in early February and ran about three weeks: Feb 5–25 in 2024, Feb 3–23 in 2025, and Feb 6–28 in 2026. Apple usually announces in early November.
Is Ovatio affiliated with Apple?
No. Ovatio is independent and run by Ryan Kiapour.