EasyA x Polkadot University Offers Innovative Programs for Web3 Talent to Create Future Unicorns in Blockchain

EasyA Partners with Web3 Foundation to Launch Innovative Educational Initiative

EasyA, a prominent platform in the Web3 education landscape, has secured a “Decentralised Futures Grant” from the Web3 Foundation to enhance its latest initiative: the EasyA x Polkadot University.

This collaboration aims to harness university talent and develop an educational program specifically tailored to the Polkadot ecosystem.

How is EasyA Revolutionising Blockchain Education?

Founded by distinguished graduates from the University of Cambridge and The Wharton School, EasyA has become a vital hub for aspiring Web3 developers.

The platform not only provides educational resources but also fosters a thriving community through in-person hackathons held in major cities including San Francisco, London, and Singapore.

With over 1 million downloads and accolades such as Apple’s App of the Day, EasyA stands at the forefront of blockchain education.

What Will the EasyA x Polkadot University Offer?

The new university program is set to provide workshops, hackathons, and grants, empowering students to innovate and launch projects within the Polkadot ecosystem.

Spanning nine months, the initiative aims to deepen Polkadot’s academic connections and cultivate a robust developer community, drawing inspiration from successful programs such as Solana University.

Phil Kwok, CEO and Co-Founder of EasyA, stated,

“EasyA has a proven track record of nurturing founders who go on to found leading projects, backed by top VCs like a16z, YC, and Founders Fund.”

Why is the Demand for Web3 Professionals Soaring?

As the Web3 industry experiences rapid growth, the demand for skilled professionals is surging.

Companies are actively seeking individuals with technical know-how and a firm grasp of decentralisation and blockchain principles.

This burgeoning field offers a myriad of roles, including finance specialists, product managers, and developers, often accompanied by competitive salaries and significant opportunities for advancement.

What Role Does the Web3 Foundation Play?

The Web3 Foundation has allocated a staggering prize pool of 10 million DOT tokens, roughly $65 million, for the rollout of the Join-Accumulate Machine (JAM) upgrade.

Participants aiming to qualify must meet stringent criteria such as importing and producing blocks, adhering to performance standards on Kusama and Polkadot, and passing thorough security audits.

How Many Startups Have Emerged from EasyA’s Hackathons?

EasyA has catalysed developer activity within the Polkadot network, with nearly 1,000 startups emerging from its hackathons this year alone.

The platform prides itself on its user-friendly interface, making learning about blockchain both accessible and enjoyable for budding developers.

Who are the Success Stories from EasyA?

The impact of EasyA extends to its alumni, who have founded startups valued at over $2.5 billion.

Notably, Cognition AI, a company established by EasyA hackathon victor Walden Yan, achieved a remarkable $2 billion valuation in April.

Yan initially pitched his blockchain idea for DALLE during an EasyA hackathon at Harvard in 2022.

What Challenges Do Newcomers Face in Blockchain Development?

Despite the opportunities, the complexities inherent in blockchain technology present formidable challenges.

Concepts such as decentralised systems and varying consensus algorithms can create a steep learning curve.

The diversity of networks, each equipped with its own programming languages and tools, compounds the difficulties newcomers encounter in this evolving field.

A New Era for Blockchain Education with EasyA x Polkadot University

As the world’s first university dedicated to educating the next generation of blockchain developers, the EasyA x Polkadot University promises to reshape the educational landscape.

The program will capitalise on the vast talent within academic institutions, focusing on workshops, hackathons, and demo days to help students launch innovative projects in the Polkadot ecosystem.

What Inspires the Founders of EasyA?

Phil and Dom Kwok, the founders of EasyA, bring a wealth of experience in both blockchain and business to this initiative.

Phil, a scholar at Cambridge University, was one of the youngest individuals to pass the New York bar, while Dom honed his expertise at the Wharton School before working at prestigious firms like Goldman Sachs and Blackstone.

Are Students the Key to Blockchain Innovation?

The greatest advancements in blockchain technology have often been fueled by students, exemplified by figures like Vitalik Buterin, who left school to develop Ethereum, and Robert Habermeier, who played a crucial role in building Polkadot.

The EasyA x Polkadot University aspires to discover and cultivate talented individuals, empowering them to thrive in the blockchain space and spearhead the next phase of the internet.