ETHLisbon's New Model: Top Builders, Real-World Challenges

Since our announcement last week, we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on the new format for ETHLisbon and we’re super excited about it! Some of you have been asking for more details, so we wanted to share a few of our plans. 

We'll be rolling out more information over the coming weeks, including some of the challenge themes and a breakdown of how you can meet and start planning with your team. 

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect on-site in Lisbon 👇🏼

First, we’re kicking things off a bit earlier this year so there’s plenty of time for actual building. Based on feedback from previous events, we think this extra time will improve both the overall experience and the quality of the projects.

Thursday, October 17

On Thursday, you'll head to our stunning venue (to be announced soon!) for check-in. This will be a great opportunity for builders to socialize, meet the mentors, chat with their team IRL, and get prepped for the day ahead. 

Next, we’re flipping the usual script and having sponsors pitch to the builders. Each sponsor will get just a few minutes to explain what their tools offer and why builders should consider integrating them into their plans. This will give builders the context to start laying plans—so for teams eager to maximize the possible 60 hours of hacking, they have the option to get started immediately after this pitch session.

Friday, October 18

The next morning, teams will gather to strategize, map out a game plan, and get everything organized before hitting the pitch stage. Here, each team leader will present the challenge their team is working on, share a high-level overview of their strategy, and explain their approach.

We’ve also added a fun twist: mentors can jump in at any point during a pitch to 'sign up' to work alongside that team.

Then, the building starts (or continues for the teams who kicked into high gear the night before!) 

Throughout the day, your mentors will continuously check in, give real-time advice, and be available for feedback if anything comes up.

Saturday, October 19

Saturday is all about hacking and refining your projects. There will also be short workshops taking place throughout the day for those who want a change of pace.

If you need a break or a moment to recharge, we’ll have a refreshments area and chill space set up on both Friday and Saturday, perfect for slipping away for a few moments to relax on your own or chat with a teammate or mentor. 

Sunday, October 20

On Sunday, each team will present their solutions. On-site judges will vote for the overall winner, but online votes will also determine the "community favorite," who will also leave ETHLisbon with a special reward.

Following the judging and awards, we’ll wrap things up with a closing party. We know a lot of people typically leave before the closing party, but this time, you’ll definitely want to stay. Our incredible venue promises to be the perfect backdrop to bid adeus to ETHLisbon for another year.

We can't wait to see the creativity our builders will bring to ETHLisbon and are honored to host what promises to be an exciting and memorable event 🎉

We’ll be doing a first round of approvals soon, so if this sounds like something you want to be involved in, be sure to apply to build ASAP.

Stay tuned for more updates and get ready for an unforgettable ETHLisbon! 🇵🇹✨