The Sunrise Challenge was the last project of my time at Apple Developer Academy. We were given around 9 weeks, complete freedom to choose our teammates, and one goal:
build an app that truly mattered.
What followed was not just about shipping an app, it was about uncertainty, iteration, teamwork, and growth.
Chapter 1: Nine Weeks, Infinite Possibilities
Unlike previous challenges, this one felt different from the start. There was no predefined problem space, no strict direction, only time, freedom, and responsibility.
My team struggled in the beginning. We explored multiple ideas:
- Cognitive load
- Productivity tools
- Goal management
But none of them felt right.
Eventually, we realized something important:
people achieve goals better when they don’t do it alone.
That insight led us to the idea of an accountability partner.
From there, we narrowed the focus even further using accountability to either:
- build good habits, or
- break bad habits
We chose the harder path: breaking bad habits.
Chapter 2: Choosing a Niche — Breaking the Smoking Habit
To ground our idea, we decided to focus on a specific and real problem:
breaking the smoking habit.
We took inspiration from:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for its strong peer-support system
- Habits app by No Boring Apps for its simplicity and thoughtful design
Our goal wasn’t to overcomplicate things. We wanted to create something simple, focused, and human — an app where users feel supported, not judged.
This decision shaped everything: the flow, the features, and the tone of the app.
Chapter 3: D-Day — Sunrise Session
Sunrise Session was the day.
We stood on stage and presented our journey and our app in front of a large audience during a 5 minute keynote-style presentation.
It wasn’t just about showing the app but it was about telling the story behind it:
the struggle, the pivots, and the lessons we learned.
After the keynote session, we returned to our booth.
Visitors came in waves curious about our app, asking questions, sharing stories.
Walking around, I realized how diverse the projects were:
- fashion
- health
- music
- mechanics
- sports
- accessibility and special needs
The creativity inside the academy was unreal.
Chapter 4: Graduation Showcase — Beyond the Academy
A few weeks later, the Graduation Showcase took place.
This time, the audience was even bigger:
- media
- industry leaders
- Apple executives
One moment that truly surprised me was when Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, visited the academy along with Apple’s hiring team and other senior leaders.
Some teams were selected to present again in front of media and Apple executives (not my team), but the experience didn’t end there.
Back at our booth, we showcased the app just like during Sunrise Session.
Later, Apple’s hiring team held a dedicated session about:
- networking
- CV preparation
- etc
It felt like a bridge between the academy and the real world.
Chapter 5: Reflections
1. Gratitude
I am forever grateful for the chance to attend this academy.
Never in my life did I imagine:
- meeting people I once only watched on YouTube
- interacting directly with industry leaders
- being surrounded by passionate, talented individuals every single day
It was eye-opening and deeply inspiring.
2. Room for Growth
If I’m being honest, the execution of our app wasn’t perfect.
I learned that:
- I still have a lot of room to improve
- delivering a solid product on time is harder than it looks
- good ideas mean nothing without strong execution
This realization wasn’t discouraging but motivating.
It showed me exactly where I need to grow.
3. The Team Journey
Working with my team was one of the most memorable parts of this challenge. We didn’t always agree. There were disagreements, tough discussions, and moments of frustration.
But we made it work.
We supported each other, learned from one another, and grew together. Even if the final result wasn’t exactly what we imagined at the start, the journey itself changed us.
We walked out as better versions of ourselves.
Closing
The Sunrise Challenge wasn’t just the last project of the academy. It was a summary of everything I learned — about people, ideas, execution, and growth.
And while this chapter has ended, the lessons will stay with me for a long time.