Future of Blockchain University Hackathon

Username

Encode

Grant Description

The grant would be used to sponsor part of Encode Club’s Future of Blockchain University Hackathon. This would provide an opportunity to introduce the Synthetix protocol to university students from top blockchain clubs worldwide, fostering innovation and talent within the Synthetix ecosystem.

This four-week online event (starting in July 2023) will provide students with comprehensive educational resources, workshops, and mentorship, enabling them to gain hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of the Synthetix platform. By participating in this hackathon, students will develop innovative projects and compete for prizes.

Technical workshops provided in collaboration with various web3 partners will encourage developers to build on the Synthetix space, which will strengthen the Synthetix community and drive further adoption of the protocol.

Overview

The Future of Blockchain University Hackathon (4-week hackathon in July 2023) is designed to bring together university students from top blockchain clubs worldwide and immerse them in the web3 space. The money received from the grant would sponsor part of our highly engaging, four-week online hackathon, which would provide a platform for students to explore, learn, and innovate within the Synthetix protocol while fostering a vibrant and diverse developer community.

The core objective of this project is to empower the next generation of developers and blockchain enthusiasts by offering a comprehensive educational experience that includes workshops, mentorship, and hands-on development opportunities. By facilitating collaboration and competition among students, this initiative will serve as a catalyst for innovative ideas, groundbreaking projects, and future collaborations within the Synthetix ecosystem. In addition to its educational focus, this project also aims to drive greater awareness and adoption of the Synthetix platform.

The grant would give Synthetix the benefits of our Silver-tier package, which include the possibility of setting 2 challenges and prizes for the hackathon, a 60-minute technical workshop, dedicated marketing from Encode’s side and speaking slots at the start and end of the hackathon.

Value to Synthetix

By funding part of the Future of Blockchain University Hackathon, the Synthetix ecosystem will reap several direct benefits, ensuring a strong return on investment for the grantsDAO and SNX stakeholders. Synthetix will be able to set two prizes in the hackathon, offer a one-hour technical workshop, and receive dedicated marketing benefits along with speaking slots at the beginning and end of the event. These engagements will provide the following benefits:

Talent Pipeline: Engaging university students from top blockchain clubs worldwide will cultivate a pool of skilled developers familiar with the Synthetix ecosystem, attracting new contributors and team members in the long term.

Innovation: The hackathon will foster cutting-edge ideas and projects within the Synthetix ecosystem, accelerating innovation and creating opportunities for future collaborations and integrations within the DeFi space.

Increased Adoption: Raising awareness and understanding of the Synthetix platform among students will contribute to its increased adoption and usage, solidifying its position in the DeFi landscape.

Enhanced Reputation: By actively investing in the education and development of the next generation of blockchain developers, Synthetix will bolster its reputation as a forward-thinking, innovative, and community-focused project, attracting further interest and investment.

In summary, sponsoring the Future of Blockchain University Hackathon will drive developer adoption, foster community engagement, and nurture a skilled workforce, all essential to the growth and long-term success of the Synthetix ecosystem.

Project Implementation Plan

The Future of Blockchain University Hackathon will be executed in the following phases to ensure timely delivery and successful completion:

1. Planning and Preparation (2 weeks):

• Coordinate with partners to confirm project objectives, deliverables, and funding requirements
• Finalise partnerships with university blockchain clubs and societies globally
• Develop an event structure, including educational content, workshops, and mentorship programs
• Create marketing materials and promotional strategies to attract participants

2. Promotion and Registration (6 weeks):

• Implement marketing strategies to create awareness and drive sign-ups for the hackathon
• Engage with university blockchain clubs to encourage active participation and collaboration
• Open registration for participants and manage enrolment
• Coordinate with sponsors on educational resources for the hackathon

3. Execution of the Hackathon (4 weeks):

• Launch the hackathon with an opening ceremony, including Synthetix presentations and keynote speakers
• Conduct workshops and mentorship sessions to support participants in learning about and building on Synthetix
• Hold weekly check-ins with participating teams to track progress and provide guidance
• Organise judging panels and coordinate with Synthetix to establish evaluation criteria for projects

4. Closing and Evaluation (2 weeks):

• Host the hackathon closing ceremony, including project presentations and the announcement of winners
• Distribute prizes to winning teams
• Share participant data with Synthetix
• Compile a post-event report for Synthetix, detailing the achievements, lessons learned, and potential future opportunities for collaboration

Additional Information

Funding Request

The total funding we are requesting from Synthetix to co-sponsor part of the Future of Blockchain University Hackathon is £7,000 for operating costs of the event, including marketing, logistics and infrastructure, as well as £5,000 dedicated to prize money for hackathon challenges.