The Midwest Block-a-Thon is a 20-hour blockchain-focused hackathon hosted at the University of Kansas aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration among hackers of all ages in the surrounding region. This hackathon plans to bring hackers and community members with hands-on experience in web3 development, mentorship from industry experts, and a chance to win big prizes.
- The Block-a-Thon will be hosted at the University of Kansas, where hackers will be welcome to stay overnight to hack.
- Meals and snacks will be provided throughout the event, and dietary restrictions will be accommodated.
What if I don't know anything about blockchain?
Building is the best way to learn! This event is totally open to those new to blockchain, and we will share a ton of resources with you ahead of time to make sure you know the best ways to start preparing.
Please check out a few of our recommended resources here!
Who can attend?
The event is open to everyone, whether you’re a student, professional, or just curious about blockchain!
How does the application process work?
You can find the application by clicking the 'Apply Now' button on our homepage (https://hack.kublockchain.com) and filling out your information. We intend to accept most, if not all, applicants! You’ll hear back within two weeks of applying.
Is there a fee to participate?
No, participation is completely free of charge, and meals will be provided.
Will Mercury be in retrograde or will any other significantly disruptive astrological events be going on during this time?
Mercury is slated to be in retrograde March 14 to April 6, but do not fear! We will have outlets, wifi, and anything else your tech might need to ensure no disruptive events occur during your hacking!
Will there be places for me to sleep?
We will have at least one room as a dedicated quiet, sleeping space. We do recommend that you bring your own sleeping bag if you plan to stay overnight.
Other questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Requirements
Submission Requirements
All projects should be open-source on GitHub. All code must be written within the duration of the hackathon (6pm Saturday 3/29 to 2pm Sunday 3/30).
Teams participating in the No-Code Business Track are not eligible for the Challenges.
Prizes
1st Place - Best Hack
2nd Place - Best Hack
3rd Place - Best Hack
Best Beginner Hack
This prize recognizes the outstanding achievement of a team with limited prior experience. To be eligible, at least 50% of the team must have never participated in a hackathon before.
Pinata Challenge
1ST PLACE: $1,000.
2ND PLACE: $600.
3RD PLACE: $400.
Build the best use case of Pinata’s APIs or SDKs in combination with blockchain. Pinata will judge based on (1) real world usefulness of the app, (2) how integral Pinata was to building the app, (3) extensive use of Pinata features, and (4) pure creativity used in the final product.
Autonomys Challenge
The Autonomys DSN is the world’s first truly permanent, permissionless, and decentralized data storage network. We challenge you to build AI applications powered by truly unstoppable data—creating systems that leverage both decentralized storage and artificial intelligence to demonstrate what's possible when AI can rely on data that can't be censored, tampered with, or taken offline.
Business Track
1ST PLACE: $400.
2ND PLACE: $200.
The idea: (1) Develop a compelling strategy and materials to promote blockchain to students, faculty, and external partners. (2) Design an engaging blockchain education program for college students. (3) Create a sustainable financial model for blockchain clubs to grow and support events, research, and education. Specific deliverable requirements and judging criteria will be given at registration starting at 2pm Saturday, 3/29 at the Burge Union.
Best Use of Midnight
JBL Tune 510BT Wireless Headphones
Midnight is a data protection blockchain that offers programmable data protection capabilities powered by zero-knowledge technology to address the delicate balance between data protection, ownership, and utilization. This ensures that developers can leverage blockchain technology without exposing confidential information or losing control over their data.
To build on Midnight, all you need is familiarity with TypeScript or a similar JavaScript based library. The service is free to use and their developer documentation has all the information you need to get started. Build a DApp using Midnight this weekend for a chance to win wireless headphones for you and each of your team mates!
Best Use of .Tech
Blue Snowball Microphone & a Free .Tech Domain Name for Life!
Make your Team's Achievements timeless: Win a .Tech Domain Name for Life to Showcase and Expand Your Project, Plus 4 Blue Snowball Mics for Effortless Collaboration on Zoom, empowering you to build even more cool things together
Best Use of Gemini API
Casio Calculator Watch & Portable Charger
It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project? Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Joshua Blew
Co-founder & CEO of Normal
Adrian Ross
Software Engineer at Oracle
Steve Simkins
Head of Developer Relations at Pinata
Thomas Flynn
Core Contributor at Apex Fusion
Thea Neal
Head of Employer Brand at Kraken
Nathan Schwermann
Founder & CEO of Ebisu's Bay
Joe Roets
Chief Architect & Founder of Dragonchain
Amik Ahmad
Head of Product at Autonomys
Emil Fattakhov
Developer Relations Manager at Autonomys
Kyle Tut
Co-Founder & CEO of Pinata
Judging Criteria
-
Innovation
How effectively does the project leverage blockchain technology? Is the implementation unique or innovative within the web3 space? Does the project utilize advanced blockchain concepts such as smart contracts, tokenomics, or decentralized storage? -
Technical Execution
Was the problem the team tackled complex or challenging? Did the implementation use creative solutions, multiple components, or novel techniques? Does the technology demonstrate a "wow" factor for technical depth or elegance? -
User-Centric Design
Is the project intuitive and accessible for its intended audience, including non-technical users? For blockchain-specific tools, does the design help demystify complex concepts like wallets, dApps, or smart contract interactions? -
Learning and Growth
Did the team explore new areas of blockchain or web3 development? Did they learn and apply new skills, tools, or frameworks during the hackathon? How does the project reflect the team’s effort to grow and experiment outside their comfort zones?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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