BNB Chain has recently announced its Zero2Hero Program, a six-month virtual program that aims to equip blockchain developers with the skills, networks, and resources they need to advance their careers in the field of blockchain programming and entrepreneurship. The program is divided into three parts, each with its own unique benefits and opportunities. In this article, we will explore each component of the Zero2Hero Program, its features, and its potential impact on the blockchain industry.
Zero2Hero Bootcamp
The Zero2Hero Bootcamp is the first component of the program, which lasts for six weeks and will start on Monday, March 6, 2023.
The Bootcamp’s main objective is to provide a comprehensive curriculum that will take participants from “0 to 1”, beginning with the basics of Solidity and progressing to intermediate and advanced levels. The course will include online lectures with experts in the field, tech-sharing sessions, and Q&A sessions. The course will be taught in three languages: English, Chinese, and Russian.
The Bootcamp will culminate in a group project, where participants will work with mentors and classmates to create their first blockchain project. Upon completion of the Bootcamp, participants will receive a specially-designed NFT certificate, which will be connected to relevant projects in the BNB Chain ecosystem for job opportunities.
The application process for the Bootcamp is selection-based, where shortlisted candidates will be granted access. The ideal candidate is someone with a programming background, who is committed to completing the curriculum and making class attendance a priority. Applicants must submit a top-notch application to be considered for the program.
Zero2Hero Hackathon
The second component of the Zero2Hero Program is the Hackathon, where participants will have the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills to the test.
The Hackathon will last for four weeks and will feature seven tracks, including Greenfield, BNB Chain’s decentralized storage infrastructure, DeFi, Infra SocialFi, Cross-chain, and Innovation. The Greenfield track will serve as a key track for the Hackathon component of the program. Participants can either work solo or join teams to take on the challenges. Applications will be judged based on the quality of the application, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The Hackathon prize pools will total over $200,000, with individual track winners eligible for prizes of over $10,000. The first-place winner from each track will be automatically accepted into the Incubator.
Zero2Hero Incubator
The third and final component of the Zero2Hero Program is the Incubator, which is a six-week Y-combinator-style program designed to help the most promising hackathon and fledgling projects develop into fully-fledged startups.
The Incubator will include workshops that tackle fundraising, product-market fit, design, and marketing, with weekly social matches to facilitate networking opportunities. Teams that are accepted into the Incubator can receive $50,000 in prizes.
Partnerships and Collaborations
BNB Chain has partnered with Encode Club, an international Web3 education community, to offer the Zero2Hero Program to English-speaking participants. For Chinese and Russian-speaking participants, BNB Chain has partnered with Blockchain Center and The Blockchain Academy Group, two leading Web3 education platforms in Eastern and Central Asia, respectively.
BNB Chain has also expressed its gratitude to Axelar, Chainlink Labs, Polkastarter, and Hacken for their generous support. Additionally, the EU Incubator winners and participants, including Port3 Network, Blockless, Shorter Finance, and Dynamic Labs, will be joining the program to share and sponsor bounties in the Hackathon.
