@mathiaskryptosphere.near [Posted on DevHub](https://near.social/#/devgovgigs.near/widget/Post?id=1572) ## Solution: Student Hackathon for the inauguration of the first University Research Crypto-Institute in France ###### Requested amount: 8000 USDT ###### Requested sponsor: @neardevgov.near **TL;DR** One of the biggest student blockchain club in Europe is organizing a hackathon for students with a focus on Zero-Knowledge. The event is scheduled for the first weekend of November 2023 (November 3rd-5th) and will take place in the Paris business district, La Défense, within the co-organizing and hosting university's building. We are expecting around 100 participants, mostly from engineering school. We are seeking funding and sponsorship from NEAR Foundation, with 3000 $ to cover event expenses such as marketing, food and logistics and a bounty of around 4000 $ to offer to participants using NEAR Blockchain Operating System (BOS) to host hackers application front-end. **Introduction** Hello Everyone, my name is Mathias and I'm Head of partnerships at [KRYPTOSPHERE®](https://kryptosphere.org), a leading student organization dedicated to blockchain technology. One of our universities is launching the Crypto-Institute, a pioneering educational institution focused on blockchain and cryptocurrency—a first in France. To mark this historic occasion, we are hosting an exclusive hackathon for students from universities in Paris and across France, with a special emphasis on zero knowledge. **What is KRYPTOSPHERE®** Our blockchain student club is Europe's largest student non-profit organization, with over 800 members across 22 schools and universities in France. With a track record of local event organization, international hackathon victories (EthCC 2022 Hack, ETHGlobal, PBS, etc.), and actively animating the local student blockchain community, we regularly conduct workshops on blockchain development, cryptography, and finance.Embracing a blockchain-agnostic approach, our aim is to foster innovation by synergizing and learning from various blockchain technologies. *Here are some events that we have succesfully organized* ***KRYPTOSPHERE Blockchain Summit (1st Edition in 2022, 2nd Edition in 2023)*** The Kryptosphere Blockchain Summit is our yearly event that connects local blockchain enthusiasts (like professionals, developers, and experts) with students from our network of schools. We cover a range of topics through booths, workshops, and talks, aiming to provide accessible industry insights while getting a bit technical. The first edition of Kryptosphere Blockchain Summit gathered around **220 attendes** and the second edition gathered around **300 attendees** was sponsored by Sponsors like **Algorand**, **Morpho**, **Ledger** or **Ternoa** etc. For more information check our website for the 2023 edition [here](https://https://kryptosphere-blockchain-summit.com/). ***PRAGMA (1st Edition in 2022)*** PRAGMA (Not to be mistaken by EthGlobal PRAGMA events) is an annual event that brings together enthusiastic and curious students for a day of talks and workshops. It takes place in Palaiseau, at the Paris-Saclay campus, which is home to some of France's top engineering schools like **Ecole polytechnique**, **CentraleSupélec**, **ENSTA Paris**, and more. The inaugural edition attracted about **200 students** from different fields and schools, to learn and discuss about blockchain. This edition was sponsored by **Algorand**. *About the Hackathon itself* **What is the Crypto-Institute?** The Crypto-Institute, led by [Mr. Grunspan](https://https://www.esilv.fr/en/team/cyril-grunspan/), officially inaugurates on November 8th with a mission to advance blockchain technology through research, education, and industry events. ESILV's Fintech program is the sole program in France offering an engineering degree specializing in blockchain. Join us in shaping the future of this dynamic field. **Which Schools?** Located in the heart of Paris's business district, Pôle[ Léonard de Vinci](https://https://www.devinci.fr/en/) hosts 7,500+ students across three renowned schools: ESILV (Graduate School of Engineering), EMLV (Management School), and IIM (Institute of Internet & Multimedia). Established in 1995, it has revolutionized French higher education, promoting excellence, diversity, and interdisciplinary collaboration guided by multiculturalism, innovation, and sportsmanship. ESILV stands out because it's among the few engineering schools that incorporate blockchain development into their Fintech curriculum, guided by educators and researchers connected to the blockchain ecosystem (including Starkware, Bitcoin, etc.). This positions them as pioneers in blockchain education in France. Within the Devinci school network, the local KRYPTOSPHERE community features the most vibrant and committed members in France. However, the Hackathon won't be limited to just these schools. As mentioned earlier, KRYPTOSPHERE has an extensive network of school communities, and we will be welcoming participants from other institutions as well. **Summary of Activities:** *Timeline:* November 3rd Afternoon (Friday) to November 5th Afternoon (Sunday). The hackathon will take place from November 3rd to 5th in the heart of Paris La Défense. We are in the process of securing funding for this event and feel that NEAR aligns well with our goals, given its efforts on Zero-Knowledge rollups and the possibility of creating decentralized frontends with BOS. The hackathon, inspired by ETH Global Hackathons, will feature two tracks: *Sponsor Bounty Tracks: * Sponsors will present challenges, and participants will use their preferred tech stack to solve them. Submissions will be evaluated based on specific criteria set by the sponsors. *Main Prize Tracks:* Various categories, including 'Best Use of ZK Proofs' and 'Most Innovative DApp,' will reward top performers. *Workshops:* We will have a sponsor workshop during the hackathon so that participants can better grasp the technology they will be using. *Mentors:* Participants will have access to the help of experts as the role of mentors during the hackathon. *Budget and Funding:* To organize this event, we are actively seeking funding. Our proposal includes a request for sponsorship of 3000 $ to support the overall organization and logistics of the hackathon. This will allow us to cover the food, venue, and logistics expenses of organizing a 3-day event. Additionally, we are looking for 5000 $ specifically for a NEAR bounty track, offering an opportunity for our hackers to showcase their use of NEAR and BOS technology and reward participants for their innovative solutions.