Thanks for the honest feedback Michael Risser . I totally hear you.
Here's the thinking behind it: this program is sponsored. The prizes are also funded by partners who believe in growing the embedded Rust community. Referrals are a mechanism to show that growth is happening. It's what keeps the program alive and the sponsors committed. There are many ways to refer others, and it doesn't necessarily have to be face-to-face or to individuals you know.
That said, there is also the Quarterly Build Challenge, which has no referral requirement. Build a project with any XIAO board and Rust, share it publicly, and you're entered for the even larger prize pack.
We'll certainly keep monitoring the feedback and making adjustments as the program evolves.