The EasyA Consensus Hackathon, held from May 14-16 in Toronto, has made waves as the largest blockchain-focused hackathon in North American history. Organized by brothers Phil and Dom Kwok, this monumental event attracted over 1,000 vetted developers, all demonstrating impressive coding backgrounds through platforms like GitHub and LinkedIn. This careful selection process contributed to a collection of standout projects that emerged during the competition.
With millions of dollars in funding available from five major blockchain networks—Aptos, Stellar, Polkadot, Bahamut, and Forte—the stakes were high. “We had some really good results, really cool projects,” Phil Kwok shared with CoinDesk, signaling the impactful innovations generated during the event. Among the notable highlights was the ApTap project, which not only clinched first place in the Aptos track but also received an invitation from Universal Studios to present to their executive team in Orlando.
“That was crazy,” EasyA CEO Phil Kwok exclaimed, underscoring the hackathon’s significance in bridging creativity and opportunity within the blockchain space.
EasyA, a leading Web3 learning application boasting a community of over 1 million developers, has seen tremendous success since its inception in 2019, organizing over 30 hackathons to date. Each blockchain involved set specific challenges, like Stellar’s mission statement challenging developers to improve user experiences in Web3. More importantly, the hackathon’s model emphasizes long-term support for winning projects, rather than one-off prizes, as Dom Kwok emphasized the goal of creating sustainable developments that add lasting value to the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Among the winners, CycleBuddy stood out on Stellar’s track, providing women a platform to track menstrual cycles while earning tokens. Polkadot hosted the Sutanpu app, designed for travelers to mint NFTs of their visited locations, while NameVault, a decentralized naming service on Bahamut, captured its track’s prize. On the Forte track, GASS aimed to streamline airdrop allocations.
Other noteworthy projects included AptosAI Guard and MMO on the Aptos track, FailSafe, Borrowhood, Automated Savings Policy, and OrbitSwap on Stellar, and DotStriker, Merge Fund, Proctodot, SmartTrust, and Ratezilla on Polkadot. With ambitious plans to host an even larger event next year in Miami, the EasyA team is poised to continue its trajectory of fostering innovation and collaboration in the blockchain community.
EasyA Consensus Hackathon 2023 Highlights
The EasyA Consensus Hackathon, a significant event in the blockchain space, presented numerous breakthroughs and opportunities for developers.
- Largest Blockchain Hackathon in North America
- Hosted on May 14-16 in Toronto.
- Over 1,000 vetted developers participated.
- High-Quality Projects
- Projects demonstrated outstanding coding talent, leading to innovative solutions.
- Careful vetting process via GitHub and LinkedIn ensured quality participants.
- Significant Funding Opportunities
- Potential prize funding in millions from five blockchain networks: Aptos, Stellar, Polkadot, Bahamut, and Forte.
- Focus on long-term project support rather than one-time prizes.
- Highlight Event – Collaboration with Universal Studios
- First place project, ApTap, invited to showcase to Universal’s executive team.
- Increased visibility and potential partnerships for winning projects.
- Diverse Winning Projects
- ApTap: Simplifies access to Aptos wallets on mobile devices.
- CycleBuddy: Women’s health tracking app that rewards users with tokens.
- Sutanpu: NFT minting for travel experiences.
- NameVault: Decentralized naming service.
- GASS: Aims to streamline airdrop allocations.
“The goal of our hackathons is to make sure that people actually continue to build and add long-term value to crypto.” – Dom Kwok
These key points highlight the expanding opportunities within the blockchain ecosystem that can influence the development of innovative solutions in various sectors, enhancing user experiences and potentially impacting everyday life through technological advancements and community-driven initiatives.
EasyA Consensus Hackathon: Leading the Charge in Blockchain Innovation
The EasyA Consensus Hackathon, recently held in Toronto, has set itself apart as a benchmark in the blockchain hackathon landscape, particularly in North America. Boasting over 1,000 meticulously vetted developers, this event underscored the importance of quality over quantity, a factor that led to the emergence of truly innovative projects. This kind of rigorous selection process provides a competitive advantage by ensuring that only the most capable developers participate, fostering a higher caliber of ideas and solutions.
In comparison, other hackathons often face criticism for less stringent vetting processes, which can dilute the quality of outcomes. For instance, while events like EthGlobal and Hack the North attract large groups, they may include participants with varying skill levels, resulting in a broader but potentially less impactful mix of projects. EasyA’s focused approach not only enhances the overall caliber but also attracts notable partnerships, such as the invitation to showcase winning projects to executives at Universal Studios. This kind of exposure is invaluable and rarely seen in other hackathons, creating an enticing draw for skilled developers looking for significant opportunities.
However, the EasyA hackathon does have its drawbacks. The exclusivity of its developer selection might alienate emerging talents who lack extensive histories but possess innovative ideas. This could deter a segment of the developer community who might feel that they cannot compete. On the other hand, the continued support for winners post-event positions EasyA as a nurturing ground for long-term project development, providing a clear advantage for developers seeking sustained funding and mentorship.
Projects that emerged victorious, like ApTap and CycleBuddy, highlight how the hackathon environment can cultivate groundbreaking applications while simultaneously addressing user needs in unique ways. For budding entrepreneurs and seasoned developers alike, participating in such hackathons presents a dual opportunity: to gain access to substantial funding and to tap into a vibrant network of blockchain enthusiasts and experts.
In sum, industry players looking to innovate in the blockchain space should keep an eye on EasyA’s growth trajectory. The hackathon not only positions itself as a leader in attracting top talent but also serves as a catalyst for the development of projects that could redefine the landscape of Web3 technologies. Meanwhile, competitors may need to reassess their strategies to better attract quality teams and offer similar long-term support to their winners, ensuring they remain relevant in this fast-evolving field.
