EasyA Hackathon Offers $200,000 in Prize Money for Developers at Consensus 2024

As a crypto investor, I can’t help but draw parallels between Steve Ballmer’s fervent declaration of the importance of developers in the Microsoft ecosystem and the role of builders and innovators in the blockchain space. Just like how developers were the lifeblood of Microsoft, they are the driving force behind the success and growth of the crypto industry. Their relentless dedication to creating new projects, improving existing ones, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible is what keeps the crypto world thriving and evolving at a breakneck pace. So, let’s give a big round of applause to these unsung heroes, the developers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to build the future with us.

During that period, Ballmer recognized the pivotal role developers would play in Microsoft’s future growth. Microsoft was still in its formative stages compared to its present size, and Ballmer aspired for Microsoft to serve as a hub for developers: he welcomed them to develop any project they desired using Microsoft’s resources.

In the present day, Ballmer’s statement holds more significance than before. The success of blockchains hinges upon the community of developers they can draw in. Who will construct on top of all those promising Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions (not forgetting Layer 3s), if not a talented pool of developers? It’s essential for blockchains to magnetize top-tier developer talent to flourish.

As a analyst, I can tell you that this year marked a groundbreaking decision for us. For the very first time, we chose to hold an in-person hackathon during Consensus and invite developers to join us.

As a researcher in charge of recruiting top-notch developers for Consensus, I collaborated with EasyA, a renowned Web3 learning platform boasting one of the most rapidly expanding global developer communities. By joining forces, we meticulously selected the finest developers from around the world to engage in an intensive three-day hackathon on the foremost blockchain platforms.

Located above the Consensus conference, the EasyA Consensus Hackathon serves as a hub for top developers from both the U.S. and international communities. EasyA extends an invitation to their large and brilliant community, referred to as “gigabrains,” to participate in this event. With close to 1 million gigabrains worldwide, thousands have already applied to attend Consensus in person and engage in hacking activities. The anticipation among the gigabrains is palpable due to the prospect of creating innovative solutions.

The significance of this competition is greater than ever before. With a prize pool of over $200,000 for the top 500 developers and additional grants and venture capital funding worth millions, the opportunities are immense. Beyond drawing exceptional talent to Consensus, the ultimate aim is to foster the creation of enduring projects that span the various participating ecosystems.

As an analyst, I’d rephrase it as follows: I’ve observed that EasyA alumni have made significant strides in the tech industry, having founded companies valued over $2.5 billion and securing investments from renowned venture capitalists such as a16z, Founders Fund, YC, among others. A recent achievement includes Cognition AI, established by EasyA hackathon champion Walden Yan, which was recently valued at a staggering $2 billion. Walden initially presented his concept for DALLE on the blockchain during an EasyA event at Harvard two years ago, and now he’s leading a groundbreaking organization.

As a developer, seize the opportunity to become part of Consensus’s storied past by joining our inaugural in-person hackathon event.

Apply here for your chance to secure one of our remaining spots at our EasyA Consensus hackathon.

As a dedicated researcher in the field of cryptocurrencies, I’d like to share an alternative perspective on the topic at hand. It is essential to clarify that the opinions expressed below are my own personal insights and do not necessarily align with those of CoinDesk or its affiliated entities.