Arbitrum HackerBoost Program: Final Report
Executive Summary
The Arbitrum HackerBoost Program, initiated by DeFi Africa with support from Arbitrum Education, Community, and Events 2.0 grants via Questbook, empowered 40+ African builders to deploy 7 impactful Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) on Arbitrum Sepolia, addressing real-world challenges like internet access and healthcare. Spanning five phases—platform launch, bootcamp onboarding, execution, a hackathon, and incubation—the program delivered hands-on Web3 training, mentorship, and project development, fostering a vibrant community of builders poised to drive Africa’s Web3 ecosystem.
Key Achievements:
- Launched the HackerBoost platform with 4 Web3 courses.
- Onboarded 450+ participants, with 178 joining a 12-week bootcamp (60%+ completion rate).
- Hosted the Arbitrum Builder House hackathon (February 16–22, 2025, Tamale, Ghana), engaging 40+ attendees and yielding 7 innovative projects.
- Incubated 7 MVPs, with 2 preparing for Arbitrum One Mainnet deployment.
This report outlines the program’s milestones, impact, lessons, and recommendations, showcasing Arbitrum’s role in global Web3 innovation.
Program Overview and Key Milestones
The program aimed to upskill African developers in Web3 development using Arbitrum’s Layer 2 infrastructure. Below are the milestones and outcomes:
| Milestone | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Launch HackerBoost Platform | Built features: user registration, course navigation, bootcamps, hackathons, events, blogs, tutorials. |
| Develop Web3 Courses | Created 4 courses: Web3 Fundamentals, Solidity Programming 101, Arbitrum L2, Hardhat. |
| Bootcamp Marketing & Onboarding | Partnered with 5 universities students associations, hosted 5 workshops, attracted 450+ attendees, 200+ registrations (89% qualified). |
| Execute Bootcamp Training | 12-week program with 178 participants across 2 cohorts, achieved 60%+ completion rate. |
| Host Arbitrum Builder House | Week-long hackathon with 40+ participants, produced 7 Web3 projects. |
| Incubate Projects | Supported 3 projects with mentorship, technical resources, and funding. |
| Submit Final Report | Delivered to Arbitrum forum. |
Milestone 1: HackerBoost Platform Launch and Course Development
Objectives
- Launch the HackerBoost V1 platform.
- Develop Web3-focused courses for Arbitrum.
Achievements
The HackerBoost platform (hackerboost.org) launched with:
- Core Features: User registration, course navigation, bootcamps, hackathons, events/blogs, video tutorials, exercises.
- Enhanced Features: Chat, live support, course reviews, progress tracking, NFT certifications, Boost Points (BP) for gamification, mobile-first design, resource library with Arbitrum and Ethereum Sepolia faucet.
- Maintenance: Ongoing updates for functionality and content.
Four courses developed:
- Web3 Fundamentals
- Solidity Programming 101
- Introduction to Arbitrum L2 Solutions
- Hardhat Fundamentals
All courses can be accessed on https://www.hackerboost.org/learn/blockchain-courses
Courses used project-based learning to teach practical skills.
Impact
- User Feedback: High satisfaction with usability and content.
- Skill Development: Strengthened Africa’s Web3 developer ecosystem.
Milestone 2: Bootcamp Marketing and Onboarding
Objectives
- Attract diverse bootcamp applicants.
- Equip participants with blockchain basics.
- Introduce the HackerBoost mission.
Execution
Marketing efforts:
- Campus Outreach: Partnered with 5 universities/developer clubs in Ghana.
- Meetups: 3 in-person (Navrongo, July 20; Wa, July 27; Ho, August 4) and 2 online sessions, attracting 250+ attendees.
- Content: Covered Web3 concepts, bootcamp details, prerequisites.
- Email Campaign: Targeted past BUIDL workshop participants.
Results:
- 200+ registrations, 89% qualified.
Impact
- Knowledge: Sparked interest in Web3.
- Collaboration: Fostered connections for teamwork.
Milestone 3: Bootcamp Execution
Objectives
- Deliver a structured training program with live sessions.
- Monitor progress with assessments.
- Achieve 60%+ completion rate.
Execution
The bootcamp (September 23, 2024, 12 weeks) included:
Structure:
- Beginner Cohort (2 weeks): Web3 basics.
- Mastery Cohort (8+ weeks): Advanced development, including 30 Beginner graduates.
Initiatives:
- Weekly materials: Tutorials, quizzes, resources, community prompts.
- Live office hours: 2 weekly sessions.
- Weekend sessions: Topics like “Web3 Goldmine” and “Privacy in Crypto”.
| Metric | Target | Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | 200+ | 178 |
| Beginner Completion | 60% | 67% (45/67) |
| Mastery Completion | 60% | 63% (33/63) |
- NFT Certificates: 30 Mastery graduates minted certificates (contract:
0xB1c2cd37E4c767D6b4a4489275F0A6689363b125).
Impact
- Skills: Prepared participants for hackathon.
- Networking: Built collaboration networks.
Milestone 4: Arbitrum Builder House Hackathon
Overview
The Arbitrum Builder House (February 16–22, 2025, Tamale, Ghana) engaged 40+ attendees (24 hackers, 6 mentors, 10+ enthusiasts).
Objectives
- Host a 7-day hackathon for co-creation.
- Set bootcamp-aligned coding challenges.
- Foster creativity via mentorship.
- Ensure fair judging.
Execution
Pre-Hackathon:
- 8-week workshop on Solidity, dApp integration, security.
Activities:
- Opening ceremony with workshops and souvenirs.
- Meals, snacks, hotel accommodations.
- Workshops like “Smart Contracts” and “AI & Web3.”
- Cultural tour: Red Clay Studio.
- Fitness sessions for focus.
- 48-hour hackathon with mentor support.
Projects:
- ScholFi: Student engagement platform.
- Kawowo: Punctuality rewards.
- EcoConnect: Recycling incentives.
- GreenStake: DAO-powered energy.
- Utilize: Utility payments.
- CareBridge: Medical crowdfunding.
- TitanSentara: Blockchain voting.
Impact
- Skills: Enhanced dApp expertise.
- Community: Strengthened collaboration.
Milestone 5: Web3 Incubation Program
Overview
From February 24 to March 22, 2025, the program supported 24 developers across 7 teams to expand their project to MVPs on Arbitrum Sepolia.
Objectives and Outcomes
| Objective | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Build MVPs | 7 MVPs on Arbitrum Sepolia. |
| Educate on Smart Contracts | All teams mastered Solidity dApps. |
| Encourage Web3 Adoption | Addressed local challenges across 5 regions. |
| Foster Community | Created GitHub Organization, Dev Chat Group (200+ messages/day). |
| Document Projects | Published documentation, pitch decks on GitHub. |
Structure
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Mentorship: 1 lead mentor, 2 devs, 4 visiting engineers
- Weekly Focus:
- Week 1: Product discovery, research
- Week 2: Smart contracts, MVP development
- Week 3: Testing, feedback, documentation
- Week 4: Pitch decks, demo day
Projects
| Project | Summary | Repo | Demo Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZaaNet | ZaaNet enables WiFi sharing in underserved communities, bringing affordable internet access through peer-to-peer connections. | GitHub | Live Demo |
| WasteVan | WasteVan is a dApp that allows users to report plastic waste collection, earn tokens, and track the lifecycle of their waste. Agents verify collections and ensure responsible disposal, with a streamlined process facilitated by smart contracts. | GitHub | Live Demo |
| Anocare | Anocare is a dApp designed to provide private access to health consultations through AI and smart contract verified AnoPros—without collecting personal data or compromising user identity. | GitHub | Live Demo |
| ScholFi | Redefining how students from different institutions can have fun that is gamified and incentivized using smart contracts and social engineering tools. | GitHub | Live Demo |
| CareBridge | A decentralized medical crowdfunding platform leveraging blockchain for transparency, verifiable campaigns, and community governance. | GitHub | Testnet Only |
| GreenStake | GreenStake democratizes access to sustainable energy investments, enabling users to fund projects like solar farms, wind turbines, and hydroelectric plants. | GitHub | Coming Soon |
Technical Stack: Hardhat, Next.js, Ethers.js, RainbowKit, Chainlink VRF, IPFS, MetaMask, Arbitrum SDK, Alchemy RPCs.
Impact
- 7 smart contracts, 6 MVPs, 4 ready frontend dApps, 2 Mainnet-ready projects.
- READMEs, docs (overview, problem, architecture, roadmap), pitch decks.
- 6 live sessions, 4 recordings, weekly check-ins, exclusive arbitrum developers group.
Lessons Learned and Challenges
Lessons Learned
Iterative Development and User Feedback
Incorporating continuous user feedback was pivotal in refining the HackerBoost platform. Features like chat functionality, live support, and progress tracking improved user experience, demonstrating the value of an agile approach in meeting learner needs.
Tailored Approaches for Diverse Skill Levels
Participants ranged from beginners to advanced developers, requiring segmented strategies. Beginner and Mastery tracks in the Bootcamp, specialized onboarding sessions, and mixed hackathon teams ensured balanced progression and collaboration, maximizing learning and project outcomes.
Physical Facilities Enhance Engagement
Virtual formats struggled with connectivity issues, but the in-person Developer Hub in Tamale for the hackathon and future programs fostered focus, productivity, and community. This highlighted the superiority of physical settings for immersive learning.
Community Building Drives Success
Interactive elements like live office hours, deep dive sessions, cultural tours (e.g., Red Clay Studio), and a 24/7 Dev Chat Group fostered collaboration, networking, and sustained motivation across all phases.
Gamification and Incentives Boost Engagement
Boost Points, NFT-based certifications, and potential Learn and Earn programs incentivized learning and milestone completion, keeping participants motivated throughout the program.
Project-Based Learning is Effective
Real-world challenges integrated into the curriculum, Bootcamp, hackathon, and incubation phases equipped participants with practical skills, enabling them to develop deployable dApps and MVPs on Arbitrum.
Pre-Event Preparation and Extended Timelines Improve Outcomes
Thorough pre-hackathon training and structured schedules were key to success, but tight timelines (e.g., 4-week incubation) underscored the need for extended planning and execution periods to reduce pressure and enhance quality.
Partnerships Amplify Reach and Impact
Collaborations with universities, developer clubs, and industry experts expanded outreach, attracted diverse participants, and enriched the program with expert mentorship and resources.
Challenges
Connectivity and Virtual Format Limitations
Poor network connectivity in some regions hindered virtual Bootcamp participation, affecting engagement. Offline resources and a physical Developer Hub mitigated this, but virtual formats proved less effective than in-person settings.
Diverse Skill Levels
Balancing beginner and advanced learners was a recurring challenge. Segmented tracks and mixed teams helped, but required careful planning to ensure inclusivity and progress for all participants.
Logistical and Financial Constraints
Space constraints at the Developer Hub during the hackathon necessitated additional accommodations, and limited funding restricted resources and participant support. This highlighted the need for more sponsorships and better infrastructure.
Tight Timelines
The 10+ week Bootcamp and 4-week incubation sprint were intense, pressuring participants to deliver. Flexible timelines and milestone submissions helped, but longer durations would have improved outcomes.
First-Time Participants
Many participants were new to Web3, hackathons, or incubation processes, facing challenges in time management, teamwork, and project execution. Pre-event training, mentorship, and example resources addressed this but required significant effort.
Scalability of the Platform
As user numbers grew, the HackerBoost platform faced potential scalability issues, necessitating ongoing maintenance and upgrades to handle increased traffic and ensure a seamless experience.
Resource Constraints for Incubation
Supporting seven projects with limited mentorship and technical resources during incubation was challenging. Flexible support and visiting engineers helped, but more funding and mentors would enhance future efforts.
Recommendations for Future Initiatives
Expand In-Person Programs
Transition to more in-person Bootcamps and hackathons, leveraging physical developer hubs to provide distraction-free, immersive learning environments that enhance focus and collaboration, addressing the limitations of virtual formats.
Extend Program Durations
Allow more time for preparation and execution across all phases, such as longer Bootcamp and incubation periods, to reduce pressure on participants, improve project quality, and ensure thorough skill development.
Enhance Scalability and Accessibility
Upgrade the HackerBoost platform to handle increased user traffic, introduce multilingual support, and expand content to include emerging Web3 topics (e.g., Arbitrum Stylus, cross-chain interoperability), making it accessible to a broader, global audience.
Strengthen Partnerships and Sponsorships
Collaborate with more educational institutions, industry partners, and sponsors to widen outreach, secure additional funding, and provide better infrastructure, enabling larger-scale programs and supporting more participants.
Introduce Advanced Incentive Mechanisms
Implement a Learn and Earn program where participants can earn crypto or tokens for completing challenges, and add a leaderboard to foster healthy competition, further motivating learners and builders.
Tailor Content for Varied Skill Levels
Continue offering specialized sessions for beginners and advanced developers, ensuring all participants derive maximum value, and consider advanced tracks on topics like DeFi and AI-Web3 integration to stay ahead of trends.
Support Post-Program Growth
Establish a HackerBoost Launchpad for continuous builder onboarding and project incubation, provide follow-on funding for top MVPs, and offer technical mentorship to help projects transition to mainnet and achieve real-world adoption.
Increase Community Engagement
Host more regional hackathons in cities like Accra and Kumasi, organize regular community check-ins, and leverage Arbitrum’s platforms (e.g., blogs, social channels) to amplify visibility and foster a global Web3 developer network.
Conclusion
The Arbitrum HackerBoost Program successfully empowered African developers to become key contributors to the Web3 ecosystem. It began by launching the HackerBoost platform with comprehensive courses, setting a strong foundation for Web3 education in Africa. Strategic partnerships and mixed-format meetups attracted a diverse pool of 450+ participants, ensuring effective onboarding. The transformative Bootcamp upskilled 178 participants with a 60%+ completion rate, preparing them for advanced development. The Arbitrum Builder House hackathon saw 40+ builders coming together to create seven innovative projects, fostering collaboration and real-world application of skills. Finally, the incubation phase nurtured these projects into six MVPs on Arbitrum Sepolia, with two nearing mainnet readiness, showcasing Africa’s potential for decentralized innovation.
Despite challenges like connectivity issues, diverse skill levels, and logistical constraints, the program’s focus on iterative development, community building, and practical learning delivered significant impact. It upskilled developers, fostered a thriving Web3 community, and positioned Africa as a hub for blockchain innovation. With continued support from the Arbitrum Foundation, the program is poised to scale, launching mainnet-ready dApps, expanding education initiatives, and driving global Web3 adoption, all while leveraging Arbitrum’s scalable infrastructure to address real-world challenges.
Acknowledgments
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the Arbitrum HackerBoost Program. First and foremost, we thank the Arbitrum Foundation for their generous support through the Education, Community, and Events 2.0 grants via Questbook, which made this initiative possible. We are also deeply grateful to @SEEDGov for their leadership and vision in driving Arbitrum community expansion and innovation across the world.
Special thanks go to our university partners — CK-Tedam University for Technology and Applied Sciences, Ho Technical University, and The Noni Hub Innovation Center — for their collaboration in hosting onboarding meetups and expanding our reach to aspiring developers across Ghana.
Finally, we acknowledge the dedication and enthusiasm of the participants, including the 24 developers, 6 mentors, and 10+ Web3 enthusiasts, whose hard work and innovation resulted in many impactful projects on the Arbitrum Sepolia network. Their commitment to learning, collaboration, and building on Arbitrum has laid a strong foundation for Africa’s Web3 ecosystem.
Thank you to everyone who played a role in this transformative journey.