2024 Akash Hackathons Proposal

[CaptainSplince]

2024 Akash Hackathons Proposal

Overview

Hosting hackathons for the Akash Network has become increasingly imperative, driven by the network's growing prominence. This proposal introduces the idea of hosting 3 Akash Network hackathons throughout 2024.

Why host Akash Hackathons in 2024?

• Innovation and Ideation: By bringing together diverse teams of developers, designers, and entrepreneurs, these events stimulate the creation of novel solutions and applications that leverage the unique features of the Akash Network.

• Ecosystem Growth: Encouraging developers to build on the Akash Network expands the range of applications available, attracting more users and stakeholders to the network.

• Developer Engagement: Offering hands-on experiences with the Akash platform encourages developers to explore its capabilities, experiment, and contribute to the community.

• Community Building: By facilitating collaboration and networking among participants, an Akash hackathon can strengthen the bonds within our community, creating a supportive environment for ongoing development and collaboration.

• Akash Education: Hackathons act as educational platforms, providing participants with the opportunity to learn more about the Akash Network. This increased awareness contributes to a more informed and skilled developer community.

Hosting hackathons for the Akash Network in 2024 can be an essential tool for driving innovation, expanding the ecosystem, engaging developers, solving real-world challenges, building a strong community, and accelerating the overall development of the Akash Network. These events serve as a catalyst for progress, positioning the Akash Network as a leading force in the rapidly evolving landscape of DePin.

2024 Hackathons Timeline

• Early 2024 hackathon (Jan - March)
• Mid 2024 Hackathon (May - July)
• Late 2024 Hackathon (Sept - Nov.)

Projected Outcomes

• 15 new Insiders to the Insider program
• 600 Total registrations
• 75 Project submissions
• 3+ New open source tools
• 6 Sponsored Tracks (partnerships)
• 12 recorded workshops (video content)

Individual Hackathon Timelines

Below is a timeline of activities in lead up to, during and after each proposed hackathon.

1. 1 month (Preparation)

   • Develop marketing assets
   • Outreach and partnership with ecosystem players
   • Develop Hackathon tracks
   • Develop sponsored tracks
   • Define hackathon timeline
   • Define budget
   • Judge & mentor selection
   • Judging criteria

2. 2 weeks (Registration during preparation phase)

   • Prepare final details of hackathon
   • Encourage signups

3. 1.5 months (Execution)

   • Weekly mentor sessions
   • Dedicated website
   • Dedicated discord channel
   • Demo Day (top 3 pitches w/judges)
   • Review projects and select winners

4. 2 weeks (Review)

   • Feedback forms
   • Announce winners
   • Post mortem with organizers & sponsors
   • Judges notes given to participants

Hackathon Roles (Support)

• Hackathon Community Manager: Manages hacker events and hacker support
• Hackathon Marketing Manager: Leads hackathon judges confirmation and partner sponsored tracks
• Event Manager: Manages workshops hosted throughout the duration of the hackathon

Additional support not included in roles will be provided by members of the Overclock Labs team.

• Judges x4
• Workshop Mentors x4

2024 Hackathon Budget

Each hackathon will have increasing prize pools.

• Early 2024 Hackathon - 50k USD in AKT
• Mid 2024 Hackathon - 75 USD in AKT
• Late 2024 Hackathon - 100k USD in AKT

Dorahacks will cover the majority of prize pools, and the Akash community fund will cover up to the needed amount. Below are estimated amounts needed for each hackathon for prizes.

• Early 2024 Hackathon - 10k USD in AKT
• Mid 2024 Hackathon - 30k USD in AKT
• Late 2024 Hackathon - 60k USD in AKT

Rewards

• Dorahacks Prize allotment $150,000 (+/-) USD
• Akash Community Fund Prize allotment $100k USD

Hackathon Support Roles

• $27,000
• Swag $4,500
• Paid Sponsor Tracks - Sponsor to cover cost

Individual Hackathon Budget

• Hackathon Support Roles
  • Community Manager - $3,000
  • Event Manager - $3,000
  • Marketing Manager - $3,000
  • Total: $9,000

Rewards

• Dorahacks Prize allotment $50,000
• Akash Community Fund Prize allotment $50,000
• Swag $1,500 USD
• Paid Sponsor Tracks - Sponsor to cover costs
• Total community pool request in AKT for 2024: $131,500 USD paid in AKT

Note: Unused prize winnings will go back into the community pool

Next Steps

This proposal will be open for public discourse until 12/22/23, at which time we will update with given community feedback and put on chain for a vote.

[bugrakaplan87]

You are cordially invited to join Areon Network’s hackathon ‘Code AREA’ as a collaborator!

https://hackathon.areon.network/

This Web3 development competition features a $500K total prize and amazing growth opportunities for students and beginner developers!

The virtual competition will last for 6 weeks and end with a one-day offline event in Istanbul!

hackathon.areon.network
https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/code-area

[rodri-r]

Hey @CaptainSplince as we chatted in a call last week about these future hackathons, I just want to state here again that I really like these plans, the prizes and that there will be several hackathons throughout the year. It should draw more attention to the network, make competition a lot more interesting and can't wait to see what is submitted.

As mentioned before too, I am interested in helping out with these hackathons. I was one of the organizers of the previous Akashathon and I am ready to help with any of the positions, as I helped with these tasks in the past.

[CaptainSplince]

Thanks @rodri-r. We're aiming to put this onchain for a vote in the new year!