A Year in Hackathons: My Blockchain Odyssey Through 2023

Introduction

As a lead blockchain developer at Smashverse in early 2023, I faced an unexpected turn of events. The aftermath of the FTX exchange crash led to funding issues at my company. This challenge, however, opened a door to an extraordinary journey through the world of hackathons — a path marked by innovation, learning, and global friendships.

The Inception: Ethglobal FVM Spacewarp

My first international online hackathon, Ethglobal FVM Spacewarp, was a foray into a new world. Teaming up with ChristyAna, Julio, and Bolaji, we developed ‘Credlancer’. Despite not winning, this experience was rich in lessons about tight deadlines and teamwork.

A String of Successes

Ethforall: The Advent of Trustpoint

In February 2023, alongside Spandan, I built ‘Trustpoint’, a deal management platform for blockchain gaming companies and celebrities. Winning first prize in the gaming category from Mantle was a pivotal moment — my debut international hackathon success.

Berkeley Web3/ZKP Hackathon: Advancing Credlancer

April’s hackathon with ChristyAna, Ayush, and Satya saw the evolution of ‘Credlancer’ into a mobile app. Our efforts were rewarded with a first prize from Celo, a testament to our team’s innovative approach.

Confronting Adversity

May 2023 brought a significant setback: the closure of Smashverse. This jolted me into a deeper exploration of the hackathon world, using the momentum and prize money from previous successes to propel my journey.

Global Exploration and Triumphs

Ethglobal Lisbon: The First In-Person Experience

My first in-person blockchain event and international journey was to Ethglobal Lisbon. Here, Claudio, Jan (Puncar), Gustao, and Didier became my teammates. ‘PeerMatch’, our peer-finding chatbot, won us second prize from Optimism. I got to meet very amazing people such as Riko, Kirsten, Mattia, and a lot more, and I made some good friends. Apart from the hackathon, I really liked the city of Lisbon, its calm beaches, and perfect climate. I was just walking for hours on the roads of Lisbon. The people were amazing, and the only regret was that the trip had to end.

Chainlink Spring 2023: Venturing into Agriculture Tech

In June, with Spandan and Riya, we created an agriculture insurance platform. Winning second prize in the ‘Tech for Good’ category highlighted our commitment to impactful technology.

Paris: A City of Challenges and Learnings

From my previous experience of Ethglobal Lisbon, I decided to participate in one more inperson hackathon, Ethglobal Paris. Ethglobal Paris couldn’t have been organized at any better time, EthCC was going to happen days prior to Ethglobal Paris, so the whole blockchain community was in Paris at that time. So, I booked my flight a week before ethglobal Paris, to also attend some events from ethcc. But later I got to know about another hackathon that was being organized by Encode Club, The wormhole encode paris Hacker House, and decided to participate in it, with a friend Darcio, and later found out that one of my work colleague River was also at the event, so we teamed up, and built a cross chain governance project, and won double first prize and became finalist. This was massive, this was the biggest prize I ever won, and also we got to present our project.

Later that week I participated with Dercio, Martin, Quentin, and Bertrand in ethglobal paris. We built Trustky, which was a privacy centred resume builder platform. During this hackathon, I was not able to perform my very best and also fall ill on the second day of hack, probably because of a lot of work load from the last 5 days (previous hackathon), and this taught me to never participate in more than one short span hackathons in one week, but due to my team’s effort we managed to build something presentable and won a couple of small prizes from lit and worldcoin. Also met really cool people like, augustin and romain, a lot of people from previous hackathon, and some of my previous teammates.

Warsaw and Beyond: Continuous Learning and Networking

The journey continued in Warsaw at EthWarsaw, where Kirsten, and I built ‘Proof of Picture’, a photographer’s marketplace. Winning prizes from Request Network and Celo Foundation was exhilarating. During this time, I stayed in a Talentlayer house with Mattia, Kirsten, Dercio, and Limone, which provided a rich environment for collaboration and learning. Each city, from the banks of the Seine in Paris to the clean streets of Warsaw, added a unique cultural richness to my experience.

Oxford and London: Expanding Horizons

At Oxford Blockchain Week, I teamed up with quantum computing PhD students Jessica and Jan. Our project, ‘Quantum Oracles’, won the first prize in the general category and multiple awards from Chainlink. In London, our project evolved further, securing more accolades at EthLondon.

The Final Leg: Lisbon and Beyond

The year culminated with EthLisbon and subsequent hackathons. Each event, from building a web3 email marketing tool with Mattia to creating a quantum hedge fund with Claudio and Jessica, was not just a competition but a platform for growth and innovation.

EthIndia 2023 was more than just a hackathon. Teaming up with Spandan and Riya, we developed ‘NFX’, a modern NFT explorer and API service. While we didn’t win any prizes, the event was incredibly fulfilling. It was a celebration of the vibrant tech community in India and provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones in the bustling heart of India’s tech innovation.

A Pivotal Decision: Dropping Out of University

In late November 2023, I made a significant decision to drop out of university, a choice driven by my deepening commitment to blockchain and backend technology and the opportunities I encountered in the hackathon circuit. This decision marked a new chapter in my professional life, fueled by the belief in the transformative power of practical experience and innovation in the tech industry.

Conclusion: The Journey Continues

Reflecting on this whirlwind year, I realize it was more than a series of competitions. It was a journey of personal growth, professional development, and global community building. Each hackathon, from Lisbon to London, was a chapter in a larger story of resilience, innovation, and the power of collaboration.

As I look to the future, I am excited to continue this journey, using each experience as a stepping stone towards greater achievements in blockchain technology. My message to fellow developers and enthusiasts is to embrace the journey with all its ups and downs. The world of hackathons is not just about coding and competition; it’s about the people you meet, the cultures you experience, and the limitless potential for innovation.

The hackathons of 2023 have taught me invaluable lessons about technology, teamwork, and the resilience required to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape. From the technical challenges tackled in projects like ‘Quantum Oracles’ and ‘Proof of Picture’ to the cultural experiences in cities like Lisbon and Warsaw, each event has been a stepping stone in my professional journey and personal growth.

As we step into the future, the experiences of the past year serve as a guiding light. The world of blockchain and hackathons is dynamic and challenging, but it’s also filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and making a lasting impact. To those embarking on their own hackathon journey, remember: every challenge is an opportunity, and every connection a potential for growth. Embrace the journey with open arms, and let your passion for technology and innovation be your guide.