# Hackbox Beta Cohort Report ## Introduction [Hackbox](https://near.org/hackbox.near/widget/home) was launched to empower and revolutionize the way local communities organise hackathons and spur a new wave of community-led innovation. Designed as a comprehensive plug-and-play solution, it has enabled tech enthusiasts, community builders, and aspiring hackathon hosts from across the world to create impactful and engaging NEAR events with unprecedented ease. As we reflect on the Beta phase of Hackbox, it's truly remarkable to see how its offerings have been rigorously tested and refined through a series of diverse hackathons hosted by a select group of dedicated individuals and teams in cities like Lagos, New York City, Tulsa, and Mexico City. This report aims to capture the essence of these events and highlight how Hackbox not only simplified the hackathon hosting process but also played a pivotal role in strengthening the NEAR ecosystem and the broader Web3 landscape by contributing to key metrics and KPIs. ## Open Web House Mexico City Organizers: Open Web Academy Sign-ups: 122 Attendees (IRL): 64 Wallets Created: 50 Teams Formed: 8 Projects Submitted: 8 Bounties Awarded: 4 ($3,500) The Open Web House in Mexico City welcomed 122 participants, including 43 hackers, 6 mentors, 3 judges, and 11 speakers. Over a week of online sessions culminating in an in-person event on October 20, these participants showcased the immense potential of collaborative, technology-driven problem-solving. The blend of participants from across Mexico and LATAM—spanning cities like Tepic, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Yucatán, Medellín, Bogotá, and Lima—highlighted the hackathon's appeal and NEAR Protocol's growing global footprint. Key highlights include the creation of 50 new NEAR wallets, the formation of 8 teams, and the awarding of four projects that presented innovative solutions leveraging BOS. A robust network of partners, local communities, and the Hackbox team supported this endeavour including Meta Pool. Check out the Open Web House winning projects [here](https://taikai.network/hackbox/hackathons/open-web-house-cdmx/results) and read the full report [here](https://near.social/devhub.near/widget/app?page=post&id=2168). ## Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023 Organisers: Calvin Burchfiel, Whitesquare Sign-ups: 27 Attendees: 46 Wallets Created: 6 Teams Formed: 5 Projects Submitted: 5 Bounties Awarded: 2 ($2,195) Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma from November 3rd to 5th, was a first-of-its-kind art and technology hackathon on NEAR aimed to merge these two fields by introducing artists, collectors, and developers to NEAR, showcasing its potential for powering creative innovation onchain with NFTs, account abstraction tools like Keypom, and emerging technologies such as AR/VR and NFC technology. The event attracted 50 participants, leading to the submission of five projects, with one winner emerging from the group. The hackathon was sponsored by NEAR, Tulsa Remote, and Tulsa Creative Engine and supplemented with mentorship sessions by experienced professionals across art and technology domains. The event highlighted the potential for NEAR's role in the future of the art sector, demonstrating how NEAR technology can power consumer-facing applications. Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023 set a compelling precedent for exploring the interconnected future of art and technology. Explore the project submissions [here](https://taikai.network/hackbox/hackathons/art-innovation/projects), and read the full report [here](https://near.social/devhub.near/widget/app?page=post&id=2367) ## Hack-o-ween: Civic Tech Buildathon NYC Organisers: NEAR NYC, LibertyDAO Sign-ups: 141 Attendees: 75 Wallets Created: 88 (New wallets with ShardDog onboarding NFT) Teams Formed: 17 (Based on projects, assumed from provided metrics) Projects Submitted: 17 Bounties Awarded: 16, Total Amount: $8,950 Hack-o-ween, hosted in NYC's Upper West Side from October 26th to 28th, was a beacon for civic tech innovation. Organized by Liberty DAO and supported by Hackbox, this event rallied local builders to devise civic tech solutions using NEAR's stack. Aiming to increase blockchain's influence and forge pathways for building on NEAR, the buildathon saw 141 registrants, with 65 to 75 participants engaging in the creation of 17 projects across diverse fields like AI, education, and environmental sustainability. The event stood out not just for its project submissions but for its comprehensive approach to fostering a practical, solution-oriented mindset among participants. With preparatory events that stimulated discussions on civic issues, the Hack-o-ween journey culminated in a three-day marathon of coding, collaboration, and community engagement. Partners like NEAR NYC and the Bitcoin Center played crucial roles, alongside a remarkable turnout that surpassed set KPIs, demonstrating the event's impact and the community's enthusiasm for civic tech. The success of Hack-o-ween sets a strong foundation for future initiatives aimed at leveraging NEAR’s technology for societal benefit. Explore the project submissions with this special project viewer widget [here](https://everything.dev/hackoween.near/widget/app). Read the full report [here](https://near.social/devhub.near/widget/app?page=post&id=2571). ## WebFusion Lagos 2023 Organizers: NEAR Africa, COLDS Collective, Dedeukwushryne Sign-ups: 112 Attendees: 30 (Developers participated) Wallets Created: 88 (New wallets created) Teams Formed: 7 Projects Submitted: 7 Bounties Awarded: 5 Total Amount: $5,250 WebFusion Lagos 2023, from November 27th to 30th 2023, focused on the convergence of Web2 and Web3 through the Blockchain Operating System (BOS). Attracting skilled Web2 developers from Nigeria's programming academies, the hackathon aimed to harness their JavaScript and React expertise for building on BOS, marking many participants' first foray into blockchain technology and an in-person hackathon environment. The event boasted 112 sign-ups, with 88 new wallets created, demonstrating a successful onboarding to NEAR and a keen interest in blockchain development among Lagos-based developers. The hackathon culminated in 30 developers forming seven teams to submit projects, highlighting the practical applications of decentralized technologies. Key highlights of the event included mentorship sessions, project pitches, and a technical writing challenge. Supported by DevHub, Hackbox, and community partners like ShardDog and Meteor Wallet, WebFusion Lagos showcased the potential of bridging Web2 and Web3 and set the stage for future tech transitions in rapidly growing markets like Africa. Moving forward, the team aims to maintain momentum, address technical issues swiftly, and potentially expand this successful model to other African regions, thereby fostering wider adoption of NEAR technologies on the African continent. Explore projects [here](https://taikai.network/hackbox/hackathons/webfusionlagos/projects). Read the full report [here](https://near.social/devhub.near/widget/app?page=post&id=2582) ## Cumulative Metrics Across All Hackbox Beta Cohort Hackathons * Total Sign-ups: The total sign-ups reached 402, with participation spanning from Mexico City's 122, Tulsa's 27, NYC's 141, to Lagos's 112. * Total Attendees (IRL): A total of 215 in-person attendees: 64 in Mexico City, 46 in Tulsa, 75 in NYC, and 30 in Lagos. * Total Wallets Created: The hackathons collectively onboarded 232 new members into the NEAR ecosystem, with Mexico City generating 50, Tulsa adding 6, NYC creating 88, and Lagos also contributing 88 wallets. * Total Teams Formed: 37 teams were formed across all locations: 8 from Mexico City, 5 from Tulsa, NYC's efforts resulting in 17 teams, and 7 from Lagos. * Total Projects Submitted: 37 projects submitted: 8 in Mexico City, 5 in Tulsa, NYC leading with 17, and Lagos presenting 7 unique solutions. * Total Bounties Awarded: A total of 27 bounties were awarded: 4 in Mexico City, 2 in Tulsa, 16 in NYC, and 5 in Lagos. * Total Bounties Awarded (Amount): The total value of bounties awarded was $19,645, with $3,500 to winners in Mexico City, Tulsa's creative efforts rewarded with $2,195, NYC's civic tech winners receiving $8,950, and Lagos's standout teams with $5,250. * Estimated Total Partnerships: At least 15, based on mentioned partners across Beta Cohort events. * Top Categories: BOS, Web2 to Web3, Civic Tech, Environmental Sustainability, Art-Tech, Education/Financial Literacy. ## Participant Feedback Participants across the Hackbox Beta hackathons shared enthusiastic responses about the vibrant community atmosphere, the quality of resources provided, and the overall enriching experience. Many appreciated the hands-on mentorship, which helped demystify complex aspects of NEAR and BOS technology and application development. The accessibility of Hackbox's resources was frequently commended, alongside the platform's ability to streamline the event organization process. However, participants also expressed a desire for more structured networking opportunities and clearer guidance on project continuity post-hackathon. ## Challenges Encountered Organizing hackathons, especially those with a significant focus on emerging technologies, is not without its challenges. Common issues included: * Technical Difficulties: Participants at times struggled with specific tools or platforms, underscoring the need for better onboarding sessions and technical support throughout the event. This has been addressed for future cohorts by partnerships with seamless developer onboarding platforms like Jutsu, and with more robust technical guides * Participant Engagement: Maintaining high engagement levels, especially in virtual components of the hackathons, proved challenging. This was addressed by incorporating interactive workshops and real-time problem-solving sessions. * Logistical Issues: For in-person events, logistical hurdles such as venue suitability, tech setup, and catering required nimble adjustments and contingency planning. ## Lessons Learned The Hackbox Beta Cohort has yielded several key takeaways that can enhance the hackathon experience for organizers and participants alike, and has helped us expand our offerings for future cohorts: * **Pre-event preparation is crucial.** Detailed onboarding guides, pre-event team formation, and pre-hackathon workshops can significantly improve participants' readiness and confidence * **Crowdsourcing quality ideas helps unblock developers.** Developers attend hackathon events excitedly but are sometimes confused about what to build. A repository of community-sourced ideas organized by domain will be valuable in alleviating this issue * **Flexibility enhances engagement.** Adapting the event format to better suit participant needs, such as offering hybrid participation options, can help boost engagement and inclusivity. * **Community building is key.** Facilitating more structured networking opportunities and team-building activities can strengthen the community aspect of hackathons. * **Post-hackathon support matters.** Providing clear pathways for project continuation, further development, and potential incubation is essential for sustaining the momentum and interest generated during the event. * **Feedback Loops are Invaluable.** Implementing real-time feedback mechanisms helps address issues promptly and improves the overall hackathon experience. Stay tuned for the Hackbox 2024 Roadmap where we'll share in more detail our plans for the year ahead including partnerships and collaborations, platform updates, and more!