Cardano x Web3 HackFest 2025 Sponsorship

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dr. Dinh Ngoc Thanh (Will Dinh)

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

1. Mr. Huong Pham - Founder & CEO at GFI Group
2. Ms. Jlo Tran - COO at GFI Group
3. Ms. Riley Tran - Co-Founder & Head of BD at VBI Academy
4. Mr. David Nguyen - Assistant Head of BD at VBI Academy

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Sponsoring Web3 Hackfest 2025 AI Convergence, Vietnam's largest Web3 hackathon, includes dedicated tracks, boot camps, mentoring, and workshops while providing extensive media exposure across Vietnam.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The project outputs of Web3 Hackfest 2025: AI Convergence are not proprietary but part of a public event aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within the Web3 and AI developer communities. Since the hackathon and main conference are open to the public, with free access for all participants, the event itself promotes open access to resources, workshops, and educational content. As the sponsor, Cardano will benefit from exposure through publicly accessible tracks, boot camps, and mentorship programs. Any specific outputs related to the sponsorship, such as educational materials, workshops, or development tools provided, will also align with open-access principles, supporting the broader community of developers.

[METADATA] Horizons

Events

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

To address these issues and elevate Cardano's standing in the developer community, we propose Cardano sponsor our flagship event, Web3 Hackfest 2025: AI Convergence (W3HF’25). This is the largest Web3 x AI hackathon in Southeast Asia, bringing together innovators, founders, and developers to explore the intersection of Web3 and AI. By sponsoring W3HF’25, Cardano will significantly enhance its brand visibility, engage with top developer talent, and position itself as a leader in Web3 innovation.

Web3 HackFest 2025 Deck: Link Here

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25) Cover 

📌 Why Sponsorship is the Solution:

Sponsoring Web3 Hackfest 2025 (W3HF’25) offers Cardano a unique and powerful opportunity to elevate its presence in the rapidly expanding Web3 ecosystem. By engaging with a diverse network of developers, industry leaders, and strategic partners, Cardano can position itself as a top choice for blockchain innovation in Vietnam. This sponsorship will enable Cardano to build strong developer relations, enhance its brand visibility, and foster long-term engagement in one of the most vibrant Web3 communities. Sponsoring Web3 Hackfest 2025 provides a powerful opportunity for Cardano to:

1. Amplify Brand Visibility: The event’s large-scale, public nature ensures that Cardano's brand will gain significant exposure throughout Southeast Asia. As the largest Web3 x AI hackathon in the region, it attracts a wide audience, including developers, investors, and industry leaders.
2. Position as a Top-of-Mind Developer Choice: Cardano will stand out as a go-to platform for Web3 development by aligning with cutting-edge innovation. Through dedicated branding and focused outreach, developers will be encouraged to explore Cardano’s potential.
3. Attract Developer Talent: The hackathon will feature a dedicated Cardano track, with boot camps, workshops, and mentorship, helping developers become familiar with and proficient in Cardano's ecosystem. This structured approach will facilitate both onboarding and skill-building for new and experienced developers alike.
4. Drive Media Exposure: By sponsoring a public event of this scale, Cardano will gain media coverage across Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Vietnam, including mainstream outlets, ensuring that its message reaches not only Web3 developers but also Web2 developers looking to transition.

Figure: About Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25)

📌 W3HF'25 Timeline & Key Phases:

Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF'25) is an expansive, multi-phase event running from October 2024 to July 2025. With a focus on fostering groundbreaking projects and long-term collaborations, W3HF'25 is set to be one of the most impactful hackathons in the region. The event consists of three phases:

1. Genesis (Oct 2024 - Jan 2025): A prelude competition where participants validate and refine their ideas, focusing on business concepts. This phase sets the stage for the main hackathon by preparing participants with viable projects.
2. Convergence (Feb 2025 - May 2025): The main hackathon, where developers bring their ideas to life. The culmination of this phase will be the W3HF’25: AI Convergence Conference, where finalists will present their projects. Developers do not need to have participated in Genesis to compete.
3. Acceleration (June 2025 - July 2025): The final phase where top-performing teams gain access to our incubation program, mentorship, and networking opportunities with leading VCs and investors. This phase is designed to help teams scale their projects.

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25) Timeline & Key Phases

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25) Main Hackathon

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25) Main Conference

📌 Previous W3HF’23 Success & W3HF’25 Goals:

In 2023, Web3 Hackfest attracted major sponsors such as Near Protocol, Polkadot, Sweatcoin, and Alibaba Cloud, along with strategic and academic partners like the Vietnam Digital Communications Association (VDCA), MarketAcross, and universities including FPT Polytechnic University, Van Lang University, Ton Duc Thang University, and many more (View Web3 Hackfest 2025 Deck Here). With even higher ambitions for 2025, we aim to surpass last year’s achievements with more developer submissions, broader media coverage, and stronger partnerships. By sponsoring Web3 Hackfest 2025, Cardano has the opportunity to significantly boost its developer engagement and enhance its presence in Vietnam’s Web3 ecosystem. This sponsorship will help Cardano become a top-of-mind choice for developers, attract new talent, and drive long-term growth within its ecosystem.

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25) Targets

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2023 (W3HF’23) Past Success

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25) Past Partners & Sponsors

Figure: Web3 HackFest 2025 (W3HF’25) Past Speakers

📌 Sponsorship Benefits for Cardano

Web3 HackFest 2025 Sponsorship: Link Here

For Cardano participation, our team would like to propose a sponsorship package of $33,000 (approximately ~97,000 ADA at the current USD/ADA conversation rate of 0.34 USD per ADA) with $10,000 used as the prize pool for a Cardano-focused track for our W3HF’25 Hackathon. This will place Cardano as the event’s Gold Sponsor. Here are the corresponding sponsorship package benefits that Cardano will have:

1. W3HF’25 Main Conference Standard Booth: A physical space to engage attendees, showcase Cardano’s ecosystem, and distribute materials, increasing visibility. Note: If no official Cardano representative is available at the main W3H’25 Conference booth, VBI Academy can provide support by assigning members from the VBI team, collaborating with the broader Cardano community in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, or recruiting volunteers.
2. W3HF’25 Main Conference Priority Panel Discussion Speaker Slot: Positions Cardano as a leader in Web3 innovation, allowing them to present key ideas and advancements to a top-tier audience. Note: If no official Cardano representative is available, we can remove this benefit entirely, or the Cardano Foundation can select an appropriate candidate within the region to speak. In this case, VBI Academy can assist in facilitating the selection of the speaker. 
3. Cardano Hackathon Track ($10,000 Prize Pool): Incentivizes developers to build on Cardano, increasing platform adoption and engagement.
4. University Tour Event: Engages emerging talent and builds Cardano's brand recognition among future developers.
5. Live Online Workshop Slot & Mentoring: Provides direct technical guidance to developers, fostering engagement with Cardano’s ecosystem.
6. Cardano Developer Hackathon Workshop Series (6 Weeks): Deepens developer expertise in Cardano, driving long-term adoption through continuous education.
7. Southeast Asia (SEA) Media Coverage: Expand Cardano’s visibility across the region, strengthening brand recognition.
8. Cardano Featured on 1 Official Highlight Email Post: Ensures targeted exposure to the event community via email marketing.
9. Cardano Featured on W3HF’25 Official Website: Constant exposure on the event website increases brand awareness among participants.
10. Cardano was Featured on all W3HF’25 Official Social Media: Regular social media highlights keep Cardano in front of a large online audience.
11. Cardano Featured on W3HF’25 Main Conference Photobooth Backdrop: High-traffic area exposure, boosting online visibility through attendee-shared photos.
12. Cardano Featured on W3HF’25 Main Conference Standees or E-Standees
13. Cardano Featured on W3HF’25 Main Conference Flag Posts
14. Cardano Featured on W3HF’25 Main Conference Hanging Banner
15. 5 VIP + 1 Premium W3HF’25 Conference Tickets: Additional benefits for key Cardano Foundation members or partners are to access exclusive sessions, networking areas, and many other exclusive benefits. Note: If no official Cardano Foundation members can attend the event and make use of this benefit, VBI Academy can distribute them through various Cardano communities with activation activities to claim it.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Sponsoring the Web3 HackFest 2025: AI Convergence (W3HF’25) will have a significant and positive impact on the wider Cardano community, addressing key challenges and positioning the Cardano ecosystem for long-term growth and success. Specifically, the sponsorship will:

1. Increase Developer Engagement: Through a dedicated Cardano track at W3HF’25, developers will gain direct exposure to the Cardano ecosystem. This includes boot camps, workshops, and mentorship programs tailored to help developers build on Cardano’s platform. By equipping developers with the necessary tools and support, Cardano will drive higher levels of engagement and encourage long-term participation in its ecosystem.
2. Amplify Brand Visibility & Adoption: W3HF’25 is the largest Web3 & AI hackathon in Southeast Asia, offering Cardanoi immense brand visibility in one of the fastest-growing Web3 markets. This exposure will position Cardano as a leading platform for Web3 development, helping to attract more developers and increase adoption. The enhanced brand presence will also help Cardano resonate with a broader audience, driving more sustainable projects and fostering a thriving ecosystem.
3. Strengthen Partnerships & Ecosystem Growth: The event’s large-scale and public nature will attract industry leaders, investors, and strategic partners from across the Web3 and AI space. Cardano’s involvement will open doors for networking opportunities, fostering partnerships between developers, investors, and business leaders, both locally and globally. These collaborations can lead to more projects being built on Cardano, further driving its growth and adoption.
4. Enhance Community Learning & Retention: Through a structured, multi-phase event that includes educational resources and support, Cardano will empower its developer community. This will include accessible learning opportunities for both new and experienced developers, helping them to build expertise in Cardano’s ecosystem. As a result, the sponsorship will enhance developer retention and drive long-term contributions to the Cardano platform.

By addressing key issues such as branding, education, and support, this sponsorship will have a lasting positive impact on Cardano’s brand perception and its ability to attract and retain top talent. It will help position Cardano as a leader in the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape while fostering sustained growth and innovation within the ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

At VBI Academy, our team of seasoned professionals is deeply embedded in Vietnam's blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. We are recognized for our collaborations with leading partners, experts, government officials, and institutions, bridging the Web3 and Web2 domains. With a 70+ member team covering various aspects of the ecosystem, we empower developers, investors, enthusiasts, and students. Our credibility is backed by the resources and experience outlined in the attached links to this proposal. Known for building strong developer communities, we are committed to further engaging with the Cardano ecosystem to bring more value to aspiring Web3 developers in Vietnam.

In addition, our capabilities are highlighted by successful collaborations over our 8-year tenure with industry leaders like Near Protocol, Algorand, Polkadot, Sui Network, Movement Labs, Avail Project, Automata, Flow, Filecoin, and the Ethereum Foundation. We specialize in marketing, event planning, training, and developer engagement, ensuring broad outreach and delivering impactful educational experiences. Our proven track record in Vietnam’s Web3 market, paired with a commitment to transparency and accountability, ensures the success and feasibility of our approach. For details on our highlighted campaigns, please visit the following link: VBI Academy Highlight Case.

Figure: VBI Acacdemty’s Capability & Focus on Developers

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

📌 Milestone 1 Cost: 19,400 ADA (20% of Total)

📌 Milestone 1 Output:

1. Entire W3HF’25 x Cardano Sponsorship Campaign: Finalized Executive Plan & Timeline

📌 Milestone 1 Acceptance Criteria:

1. Completion of the Finalized Executive Plan & Timeline for the Entire Sponsorship Campaign including the Boot Camp, Hackathon, Workshops, and Conference Day. The plan should include the expected timeline (with exact dates of deliverables) and key activities for each phase.

📌 Milestone 1 Evidence of Completion:

1. Link to the Finalized Executive Plan & Timeline (Google Sheet).

📌 Milestone 2 Cost: 19,400 ADA (20% of Total)

📌 Milestone 2 Output:

1. W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (6 Weeks): Finalized Syllabus & Lecturer + Mentor List
2. Cardano Logo Featured: W3HF’25 Website + All W3HF’25 Social Media Sponsor Announcements

📌 Milestone 2 Acceptance Criteria:

1. Completion of the Finalized Boot Camp Syllabus & Lecturer + Mentor List. The syllabus should detail all the modules, lesson plans, expected release dates, and corresponding lecturer for each lesson.
2. Cardano’s Logo Featured is visible on the W3HF’25 Website and All Social Media Sponsor Announcements as “Gold Sponsors”

📌 Milestone 2 Evidence of Completion:

1. Link to the Finalized W3HF’25 x Cardano Finalized Boot Camp Syllabus & Lecturer + Mentor List (Google Sheet)
2. Links to all of Cardano’s Logo Key Placement & Featured on the W3HF’25 Website + All Social Media Sponsor Announcements as “Gold Sponsors” (Google Sheet).

📌 Milestone 3 Cost: 19,400 ADA (20% of Total)

📌 Milestone 3 Output:

1. W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp: Week 1 - Week 4 Module & Lessons Completion
2. W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp: Week 1 - Week 4 Live AMA Sessions Completion
3. W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp: Week 1 - Week 4 Progress Report 
4. W3HF’25 x Cardano University Tour (1 Event) Completion
5. Cardano Highlight Email Featured: 1 Highlight Email for All W3HF’25 Participants
6. W3HF’25 x Cardano Hackathon Announcement

📌 Milestone 3 Acceptance Criteria:

1. Completion of all the recorded content (Videos) for the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 1 - Week 4). This will include all the recorded videos for Week 1 - Week 4 consisting of 1 - 3 Modules each week (Min: 45+ Combined Minutes Per Week). All content will be presented and recorded in Vietnamese for localization purposes.
2. Completion of all the recorded live AMA Sessions (2 Total, Bi-Weekly) for the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 1 - Week 4). This will include the recorded live AMA Session 1 (Covering content for Week 1 & Week 2) and AMA Session 2 (Covering content for Week 3 & Week 4). Each AMA Session is expected to span 45 Minutes - 1 Hour.
3. Completion of the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 1 - Week 4) Progress Report including links to all the marketing posts from W3HF25 & VBI Academy channels and the number of learners and participants.
4. Completion of the W3HF’25 x Cardano University Tour (1 Event). This will include the completion of all the partnership, marketing, and logistics efforts with a top Vietnamese University. The University Tour Event Day is expected to have a minimum of 50+ participants.
5. Completion of the Cardano Highlight Email, focusing on the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp & Hackathon Track, is sent out to all W3HF’25 Participants.
6. Completion of the W3HF’25 x Cardano Hackathon Announcement on W3HF’25 Website & All Social Channels.

📌 Milestone 3 Evidence of Completion:

1. Links to all Lesson Videos for the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 1 - Week 4) on the OpenEdu education platform (http://openedu.net/) that are easily and publicly accessible (Google Sheet).
2. Links to the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 1 - Week 4) recorded live AMA Session 1, and AMA Session 2 on YouTube under the VBI Academy YouTube Channel that is easily and publicly accessible (Google Sheet).
3. Link to the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 1 - Week 4) Progress Report (Google Sheet)
4. Link to W3HF’25 x Cardano University Tour (1 Event) Report including photos, registration statistics, and marketing efforts (Google Sheet).
5. Links to photographic evidence of Cardano Highlight Email sent out to all W3HF’25 Participants (Google Sheet).
6. Links to the W3HF’25 x Cardano Hackathon Announcements on W3HF’25 Website & All Social Channels (Google Sheet).

📌 Milestone 4 Cost: 19,400 ADA (20% of Total)

📌 Milestone 4 Milestone Output:

1. W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp: Week 5 - Week 6 Module & Lessons Completion
2. W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp: Week 5 - Week 6 Live AMA Sessions Completion
3. W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp: Week 5 - Week 6 Progress Report 
4. W3HF’25 x Cardano Live Online Workshop & Mentoring Session Completion

📌 Milestone 4 Acceptance Criteria:

1. Completion of all the recorded content (Videos) for the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 5 - Week 6). This will include all the recorded videos for Week 5 - Week 6 consisting of 1 - 3 Modules each week (Min: 45+ Combined Minutes Per Week). All content will be presented and recorded in Vietnamese for localization purposes.
2. Completion of all the recorded live AMA Sessions (1 Total) for the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 5 - Week 6). This will include the recorded live AMA Session 3 (Covering content for Week 5 & Week 6). This AMA Session is expected to span 45 Minutes - 1 Hour.
3. Completion of the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 5 - Week 6) Progress Report including links to all the marketing posts from W3HF25 & VBI Academy channels and the number of learners and participants.
4. Completion of the W3HF’25 x Cardano University Tour (1 Event). This will include the completion of all the partnership, marketing, and logistics efforts with a top Vietnamese University. The University Tour Event Day is expected to have a minimum of 50+ participants.
5. Completion of the Cardano Highlight Email, focusing on the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp & Hackathon Track, is sent out to all W3HF’25 Participants.

📌 Milestone 4 Evidence of Completion:

1. Links to all Lesson Videos for the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 1 - Week 4) on the OpenEdu education platform (http://openedu.net/) that are easily and publicly accessible (Google Sheet).
2. Links to the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 5 - Week 6) recorded live AMA Session 3 on YouTube under the VBI Academy YouTube Channel that is easily and publicly accessible (Google Sheet).
3. Link to the W3HF’25 x Cardano Boot Camp (Week 5 - Week 6) Progress Report (Google Sheet).

Not applicable.

📌 Milestone 5 Cost: 19,400 ADA (20% of Total)

📌 Milestone 5 Output:

1. W3HF’25 x Cardano Hackathon Completion
2. Cardano W3HF’25 Booth at the W3HF’25 Main Conference
3. Entire W3HF’25 x Cardano Sponsorship Campaign: Final Report
4. Entire W3HF’25 x Cardano Sponsorship Campaign: Close-Out Video

📌 Milestone 5 Acceptance Criteria:

1. Completion of the W3HF’25 x Cardano Hackathon. This includes the final list of all the projects, the shortlisted winning projects, and the prize pool distribution.
2. Cardano W3HF’25 Booth set up completion at the W3HF’25 Main Conference with dedicated booth members from either the VBI Academy team, the wider Cardano Community in Vietnam, or potentially official representatives from the Cardano Foundation.
3. Completion of the Entire W3HF’25 x Cardano Sponsorship Campaign Final Report including links to all the marketing activities from W3HF25 & VBI Academy channels and statistics from all the key sponsorship activities (e.g., Boot Camp, University Tour Event, Live Online Workshop & Mentoring Session).
4. Completion of the Entire W3HF’25 x Cardano Sponsorship Campaign Close-Out Video showcasing the entire campaign journey.

📌 Milestone 5 Evidence of Completion:

1. Links to all the Submitted Projects from the W3HF’25 x Cardano Hackathon including the winning projects (Google Sheet).
2. Links to the photos of the Cardano W3HF’25 Booth at the W3HF’25 Main Conference (Google Drive or One Drive).
3. Link to the Entire W3HF’25 x Cardano Sponsorship Campaign Final Report (Google Sheet).
4. Link to the Entire W3HF’25 x Cardano Sponsorship Campaign Close-Out Video.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

📌 Mr. Huong Pham (Jackie)

+ Twitter (X): Link Here

+ CEO & Co-Founder at GFI Group

+ Co-Founder at VBI Academy

📌 Dr. Thanh Dinh (Will)

+ LinkedIn: Link Here

+ CTO & Founder at VBI Academy

+ CSAIL Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

+ Assistant Professor at Soongsil University

+ Supervisor, PhD Blockchain Program at Vietnam National University

+ Head & Supervisor at Techfest Vietnam Blockchain Hub, Vietnam Ministry of Science & Technology

📌 Ms. Riley Tran

+ LinkedIn: Link Here 

+ CPO & Head of Business Development at GFI Group

+ Former Marketing Director at Bibox Exchange

+ Former Community Manager of Matrix AI Network

📌 Ms. Jlo Tran

+ LinkedIn: Link Here 

+ COO at GFI Group

+ Management Board at Haco Farm

+ Co-Founder at RIFEO

+ Co-Founder at Vela Group

📌 Mr. Thang Nguyen (David)

+ LinkedIn: Link Here

+ Assistant Head of Business Development at VBI Academy

+ Executive Lead at Web3 HackFest 2025

📌 Mr. Cuong Vo

+ LinkedIn: Link Here

+ Head of Education Training & AI at VBI Academy

📌Relevant Links & Resources:

1. Company Deck & Information: VBI Academy Deck, GFI Deck
2. W3HF'25 Information: W3HF'25 Introduction Deck
3. E-Learning Platform: OpenEdu Platform
4. Facebook Pages: GFI Blockchain Fan Page, VBI Dev & Tech Forum, VBI Fan Page
5. Telegram Pages: GFI Channel, GFI Community Chat
6. YouTube Channels: GFI Blockchain Insights, VBI Academy
7. Twitter (X): GFI Blockchain
8. Discord Channels: VBI Academy, Near Developer Vietnam, Solidity Developer Vietnam, Rust Developer Vietnam, Substrate Developer Vietnam, Move Developer Vietnam
9. Tik Tok: VBI Academy
10. Website: GFI Blockchain News Webpage, VBI Academy Webpage

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of sponsoring Web3 HackFest 2025: AI Convergence (W3HF’25) represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem, particularly when considering the scale of the event and the long-term impact it will have on developer engagement, brand visibility, and ecosystem growth. While certain costs may appear high, they are reflective of the level of resources, expertise, and outreach required to make this a flagship event in the Web3 space, ensuring Cardano’s competitive positioning within a rapidly growing market.

📌 Justification of Costs:

1. Event Scale & Visibility: W3HF’25 is the largest Web3 & AI hackathon in Southeast Asia, targeting over 5,000 participants and developers across three phases. This scale requires significant investment in venue, event organization, and marketing, but it also guarantees widespread exposure and engagement for Cardano. This level of visibility would typically require an extensive branding campaign, but by sponsoring W3HF’25, Cardano benefits from being directly associated with an event that attracts developers, industry leaders, and innovative projects. The cost of event sponsorship is thus proportional to the unique opportunity to amplify Cardano’s presence in one of the fastest-growing Web3 markets, Vietnam.

1. Developer Engagement & Education: A key focus of W3HF’25 is empowering developers through a structured program that includes boot camps, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. The cost of these programs reflects the need to provide high-quality educational resources, and we’ve carefully selected rates based on typical industry standards for developer training and mentorship. We’ve also benchmarked costs against other large-scale hackathons in the region to ensure we are providing a competitive yet reasonable budget. These investments will directly contribute to building a skilled developer community within Cardano, representing long-term value for the ecosystem.

1. Local Market & Freelance Rates: We have accounted for the typical wage structure and freelance rates within the Vietnamese market to ensure the costs are proportional. Vietnam’s Web3 ecosystem is still emerging, but the country is home to a rapidly growing pool of talent. The cost of hiring local developers, mentors, and freelancers is competitive compared to global rates, which allows us to stretch the budget further while maintaining high-quality output. Additionally, the costs related to marketing, media exposure, and partnerships have been optimized by leveraging our local network and long-standing relationships with key stakeholders.

1. Long-Term Impact & ROI: While the upfront costs for sponsorship may seem significant, the long-term return on investment is substantial. By engaging directly with a large and growing developer pool, Cardano stands to benefit from sustained developer interest, more projects built on the platform, and stronger partnerships with local and global stakeholders. Additionally, Cardano’s brand will receive media exposure that would typically require a standalone marketing campaign, delivering both immediate visibility and long-term brand recognition within the Web3 ecosystem.

📌 Supporting Evidence:

Our cost structure has been carefully developed based on previous hackathons of similar scale, including Web3 HackFest 2023, where sponsorship from leading blockchain platforms yielded significant returns in terms of media coverage, project submissions, and developer engagement. By benchmarking our costs against these industry standards, we have ensured that the budget for W3HF’25 is in line with what is required to deliver an impactful, high-quality event while providing maximum value for Cardano.

In summary, the costs associated with W3HF’25 represent an investment in Cardano’s future, offering a unique opportunity to significantly enhance its developer community, expand brand awareness, and establish a strong foothold in the Vietnamese and broader Southeast Asia Web3 market. The long-term benefits of developer engagement, ecosystem growth, and strategic partnerships far outweigh the initial expenditure, making this sponsorship a value-for-money proposition for the Cardano ecosystem.