# About Aleph Hackathon Aleph Hackathon is an intensive competition that drives the development of innovative tech projects. Open to developers, designers, cryptographers, project managers, students, and blockchain enthusiasts, this event is a unique opportunity to network, learn from experts, and contribute to the growth of the startup ecosystem # Before The Hackathon ### `Register` Ensure you and all your team (if you already have one) have completed the [Application Form](https://airtable.com/appENuebGSKMB5sia/pagkcCkzmKF8mBglX/form) and register in DoraHacks. You'll receive an email accepting your application and instructions to participate. ### `Connect and Stay Up to Date` The only official communication channels are: - [X/Twitter](https://x.com/alephhackathon) - This [DoraHacks page](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/aleph25/detail) - Mail: [hackathon@crecimiento.build](mailto:hackathon@crecimiento.build) ### `Find a Team` Are you missing a team, a hacker, an idea? Check out Cherry ? 🍒 🍒 [cherry.builders](https://www.cherry.builders/) provides an easier way to find the right team members for you! Just create a profile and start swiping, just like a dating app. You can apply filters for what you're looking for. Once you have a match, you'll find them in the Chats page. 🍒 is in beta, so should anything not work as expected feel free to reach out to @deca12x on Telegram at any time, who will be available to help. Start meeting other builders here at Aleph today! # During the Hackathon ### **`Hacking Rules`** - You can plan ahead of time, but ***all*** code for your project has to be written ***during*** the hackathon. Code can only be committed after official start and until the submission deadline. - The decision of judges is final for determining prizes. - A team can not be more than 4 people. - You can not use another team's code. - Breaking our [Rules and Code of Conduct](https://aleph.crecimiento.build/en-hackathon-rules) leads to the exclusion from the event. ### **`Minimum Submission Requirements`** - A demo is required. Show us what you built in a short video! Here’s a short guide on [how to give a killer pitch](https://gist.github.com/dabit3/caef5eee4753dd7d23767bc31e70da28). *Tip: for a successful demo, address the [judging criteria](https://www.notion.so/Aleph-25-Hacker-s-Manual-1b20eb7f25e7807d81e8eed89fdd3101?pvs=21).* - Provide a link to the open-source code. Startups can apply with a new feature but, code must be open-source. We recommend including a Readme with information about the project. - When submitting, don’t forget to select on DoraHacks the Tracks or Bounties you’re applying for. Make sure to explain in your application which bounties you’re applying to and the contracts you’re submitting. - If you deploy a contract, the contract address must be provided. ### **`Asking for Help from Mentors`** We've made sure to have amazing mentors ready to help you build the best possible projects. No questions are too small or too big! You can find our mentors on [our website](https://aleph.crecimiento.build/hackathon). Reach out to our mentor - In-person at the Aleph Hub - Online via our Telegram Group through their dedicated channels. Mentors are also tagged as “Mentors”.  ### **`Workshops`** Join us for our Hackathon Workshops during Friday, 20th and Saturday 21st, online streamed live on [Crecimiento’s YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@Crecimientoar) and our [X/Twitter](https://x.com/alephhackathon) (to be announced soon) # Challenges and ideas ### **`Mission`** **Argentina Leads the Crypto Revolution! 🇦🇷** Web3 is global, but few places live and breathe decentralization like Argentina. From DeFi adoption to hacker culture, the talent is here—and Aleph '25 is the stage to prove it. This is your chance to showcase groundbreaking ideas, collaborate with the best builders, and bring your vision to life. 💥 Build the future. Break the status quo. ### **`Build anything that excites you`** This is not your typical hackathon. Aleph '25 is about pushing boundaries, experimenting with frontier tech, and proving why Argentina is a global crypto powerhouse. You choose what to build. We bring the best mentors, resources, and a massive prize pool to fuel your vision. ### **`Tracks`** - **AI Agents Breaking Boundaries 🤖** The future of AI is on-chain. Build autonomous smart contract agents that interact with DeFi protocols, optimize governance, or execute complex trading strategies without human intervention. 💡 Example: An AI-powered wallet that automatically rebalances your DeFi portfolio based on market trends. - **DeFi Innovations That’ll Make Heads Spin 💸** The next-gen of on-chain finance is waiting for you. Whether it's decentralized stablecoins, yield aggregation, or novel lending mechanisms, this is your playground. 💡 Example: A cross-chain protocol that lets users borrow against their social reputation (think Lens Protocol x AAVE). - **Security Hacks That Impress Even the OGs 🔐** Smart contract exploits cost millions. We need better tooling, more secure infrastructure, and next-level audits to make Web3 safer. Whether it’s a bug bounty scoring tool or a novel zk-proof security model, security is the name of the game. 💡 Example: A real-time threat detection system that monitors smart contract anomalies and prevents hacks before they happen. - **Account Abstraction or Interop Magic 🪄** Web3 UX still sucks. It’s time to make wallets gasless, seamless, and interoperable. If you’re tired of onboarding friction, let’s change the game. 💡 Example: A wallet that lets users pay gas with any token, on any chain, with one click. # **Prizes** Participants can compete for [exclusive bounties offered by our partners.](https://dashboard.dorahacks.io/hackathon/aleph25/bounties) These bounties challenge participants to tackle specific problems, offering exciting opportunities to earn even more rewards. You will have to submit a demo for your project for our Hackathon Judges to evaluate. **Total prize pool is $ 45000  ☀️** - [👁 World ](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/aleph25/world)up to $ 15000 - **Best Mini App - $12,000** - 1st Prize - $6,000 - 2nd Prize - $4,000 - 3rd Prize - $2,000 - **Pool Prize - $3,000** - [🦊 ZKsync](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/aleph25/zksync) up to $10000 Note: No need to deploy on ZKsync Era Mainet, you can deploy on any chain in the Elastic Network (mainet or Testnet). - Best App on ZKsync $6,000 - Build an AI agent on ZKsync $3,000 - Deploy on ZKsync (Prize Pool of $1,000 distributed between all participants) - [⚫️ Mantle](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/aleph25/mantle) up to $ 11,000 in MNT - Best AI App ($3k) in MNT - Best PayFi App ($3k) in MNT - Best Consumer App ($3k) in MNT - Wildcard ($1k) in MNT - Daimo Pay SDK on Mantle mainnet ($1k) - **[⭐️ Stellar](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/aleph25/stellar)** up to $4,000 - Two prices of $2000 for projects building in Stellar’s tech. - **[🔮 Polkadot](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/aleph25/polkadot)** up to $5,000 - Compete for a 5,000 USDT prize by developing an impactful and user-friendly solution that improves governance participation or financial usability within Polkadot. Your project should focus on enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and real-world utility to empower users. ### **`Judges Panel`** - **Austin Griffith** – BuidlGuidl - **Cat McGee** – Aztec - **Santiago Palladino** – Aztec - **noah.eth** – DAB, Optimism Collective - **gonna.eth** – Optimism Collective For each sponsor track: - **Juampi Hernández - ZkSync** - **Ian Dilick – World** - **Josh West – World** - **Lynn Pratt – World** - **Bill Laboon – Polkadot** - **Nicolas Arevalo – Polkadot** - **Jakub Panik – Polkadot** - **Ben – Mantle** - **Kelly Kim – Mantle** - **John – Mantle** - **Raphael Fortin – Stellar** ### **`When`** - Submissions are due on Sunday 23th at 9:00 AM - Judging will begin on Sunday 23h at 10:00 AM. - Closing Ceremony will be fully online at 2:00 PM. We’ll notify you with the exact time online on [our official channels](https://www.notion.so/Aleph-25-Hacker-s-Manual-1b20eb7f25e7807d81e8eed89fdd3101?pvs=21). ### **`How`** - Judging will be conducted **entirely online** and in **English**. - To participate, you must submit a **3-4 minute demo video** showcasing your project. - Our **judges and bounty partners** will review all submissions and select the winning projects. - For detailed instructions on video submissions, refer to **Dora's "How-To" guide**. - **Prize payouts** will be processed within **30-60 days** after winners are announced. # Judging Criteria The projects submitted to Aleph Hackathon will be judged based on the following criteria: **Technicality:** How technically impressive is the project? Does it demonstrate advanced problem-solving and engineering skills? **Originality:** Is the project innovative and unique? Does it propose a new solution or a creative approach to an existing problem? **UI/UX/DX:** How user-friendly and accessible is the project? Is the user interface, user experience, and developer experience well-designed and intuitive? **Practicality:** How practical and feasible is the project? Does it have real-world applications, and can it be implemented effectively? **WOW Factor:** Does the project have the ‘WOW’ factor? Does it inspire or stand out in a way that makes it memorable? Each project will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5 across these criteria. The top 3 projects with the highest overall scores will be selected as finalists. There's no General Track, but specific bounties from our partners with prize pools. Participants can compete for these bounties by addressing the challenges presented by each partner. The top 3 projects with the highest overall scores will be selected as finalists. **Each sponsor will decide the winner of their track.**