Build Web3 Apps with Advanced ZK Proofs

ZK Online Hackathon for Web3 Builders - Jan 27th to Feb 13th 2025

The zkVerify Foundation is excited to announce our second online hackathon for ZK builders from January 27th to February 13th!

Our first ZK online hackathon was held in November 2024, and was very successful - see winning projects here: zkVerify ZK App and Infra Builders - Projects

We’re inviting developers with experience in building ZK and Web3 dApps to create innovative and impactful web3 projects on Open Campus and Arbitrum with advanced ZK proofs using zkVerify’s public, permissionless ZK proof verification system.

With zkVerify set to launch on mainnet in Q1 2025, we’re eager to support the development of applications that demonstrate the power of our platform.

There will be a follow-on incubator and grants program to assist projects in turning their ideas into fully functioning dApps after zkVerify mainnet and TGE.

Open Campus Protocol is a community-driven initiative that harnesses the power of blockchain technology to create a fairer education system. AI and DeSci initiatives are an important focus for Open Campus, and there are specific awards for these technologies.

Arbitrum makes it possible for projects to leverage Ethereum's security to build next-gen apps. Arbitrum has advanced Web3 technology with Stylus, an EVM extension that enables builders to integrate Rust and C++ code into their web3 applications alongside Solidity.

zkVerify is a key layer in the tech stack, enabling powerful, cost-effective applications that incorporate proofs for transparency and trust. Whether you’re working on provable randomness, fair gaming, AI training data verification, or secure private communications, zkVerify lets you achieve public proof verification quickly and affordably.

Basic Hackathon Timeline

Timeline

December 20

• Announcement
• Developers start forming teams on zkVerify Discord
• Explore Technical Stack
• Ask questions of the zkVerify team

January 9 - Registration Opens

January 14 - Feb 6
Workshops, Presentations, AMA's, X spaces

• Introduction to Sponsors and Prizes
• zkVerify Architecture Overview and Developer tools
• How to build Web3 Smart Contract dApps with zkVerify
• Introduction to new ZK verifiers and how to use
• Business Discussion Livestream with special guests and Q&A
  • Building a business that scales
  • How to craft your first product
  • Finding, engaging, and keeping users
  • Pros and cons of accepting investment
  • Path of Hackathon project to self-sustaining product
• Technical AMA session

January 27 - Hackathon officially starts
Feb 13 - Project Submission Deadline
Feb 14 - 20 Judges Voting on Projects
Feb 21 - Live Award Presentation

Prize Descriptions

Prize Categories

$10,000 Grand Prize from zkVerify Foundation

• Best overall application using zkVerify
• Must be web3 smart contract application on one of these blockchains
  • Arbitrum
  • EDU Chain

$10,000 Open Campus Prize Track

• All - Web3 dApps on EDU Chain using zkVerify
• dApp using AI
• dApp for DeSci - Decentralized Science

$10,000 Arbitrum Prize Track

• All - Web3 dApp on Arbitrum using zkVerify
• Up to 5 individual prizes for specific categories

More Sponsor Joining this Hackathon Soon!

Prize award notes:

• zkVerify Foundation will be awarding Main Prize Pool prizes in USDC
• Prizes will be paid to teams/individuals meeting the rules of the contest
• Each Main Prize is awarded to a unique project, and must meet minimum requirements based on the scoring system described below to be eligible.
• Sponsor prizes can be combined with Main Prize Pool prizes.
• Sponsor prizes awarded by Sponsors in native token or USDC, at Sponsor's choice.

Why Use zkVerify?

1. Use many different types of ZK Proofs: Zero Knowledge research is moving fast. zkVerify lets you use new technology proving systems for your specific use case. If you don't see a verifier for your proof, it can be added!
2. Cost Reduction: By using zkVerify, developers can significantly cut down on the costs associated with proof creation and verification by using new and faster ZK proofs.
3. Speed: Improved verification speed means quicker transaction times and better user experience. zkVerify is a dedicated proof verification blockchain.
4. Innovation: Opportunity to innovate in fields like finance, gaming, identity verification, and more, using zero-knowledge proofs.

The zkVerify Hackathon
To catalyze the integration of these proofs into real-world applications, the zkVerify Foundation is launching a hackathon with a prize pool of up to $30,000. This initiative is aimed at developers eager to:

• Upgrade their existing projects with ZK enhancements.
• Create new applications leveraging ZK proofs for enhanced privacy and efficiency.

Application Scenarios for ZK Proofs in Web3

zkVerify is the single platform where any application that needs public proof verification on a decentralized and permissionless system can get their proofs verified. This makes zkVerify the main network hub for the rapidly growing ZK proof application space.

See more information at our blog post ZK Online Hackathon for Web3 Builders