Zero-Knowledge bootcamp for non-zk devs - Eryx

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nahuel Lascano

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

2

[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)

We will give a one-week long course about zero-knowledge protocols, given by industry experts from Eryx at Buenos Aires. We will record the classes and upload it to public video platforms.

[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 exercises and presentations for the course will be on Github. We have already open sourced the previous course. See https://github.com/eryxcoop/zk-adventures

After recording we will upload the videos to public video platforms with a Creative Commons license.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Introduction

Zero-knowledge (zk) protocols have emerged as a pivotal technology for enhancing privacy and security of blockchain-based applications. However, many developers lack the necessary technical expertise to understand and implement these protocols effectively. Our course seeks to bridge this knowledge gap within the Cardano development community, empowering non-zk developers with foundational and practical skills in zero-knowledge cryptography.

The scope of the proposal

Eryx will deliver a one-week, comprehensive course aimed at developers who have little to no experience with zero-knowledge cryptography. The course will cover the theoretical foundations of zk protocols as well as practical implementation techniques. Each day will focus on a key topic, ensuring a gradual yet in-depth exploration of the subject:

• Day 1: Introduction to Cryptography
• Provide a solid foundation in cryptography and its essential primitives, preparing participants to understand and apply advanced techniques in the following days.
• Day 2: Simple Program Execution proof and Plonk Arithmetization I - Circuits
• Go over a simple ZK protocol where a prover proves to a verifier that they executed a fibonacci function.
• Explore the fundamental components of cryptographic proof systems and develop a deep understanding of circuit-based arithmetization. We will focus on Plonk arithmetic circuits.
• Day 3: Plonk Arithmetization II - Wirings
• Complete the exploration of advanced equations and techniques used in Plonk. We will go over the protocol that ensures variables stay consistent over the execution of the program.
• Day 4: From Oracles to PCSs
• Demonstrate and analyze examples of polynomial commitment schemes, essential in the construction of zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs such as KZG.
• Day 5: Full Proving System and ecosystem review
• Integrate all learned components to build a Plonk-style proving system, focusing on understanding each stage and identifying optimization opportunities.
• Go over the current state of zk and its applications in the Cardano Blockchain: The current implemented proving systems, the tooling available for developers and the companies doing ZK and other privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) in the ecosystem.

The course will be conducted by industry experts at Eryx and recorded for wider distribution on public video platforms such as YouTube. In addition, comprehensive course materials (slides, code samples, and supplementary reading) will be provided to the attendees.

Conclusion

Our aim is to democratize access to zero-knowledge cryptography, making it more accessible to developers in the Cardano community. With this course Eryx will contribute to expanding the pool of skilled developers capable of understanding and utilizing zk protocols in real-world blockchain applications. This effort will not only enhance technical understanding but also foster innovation within the broader ecosystem.

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

Zero-knowledge protocols are a cornerstone of privacy-preserving technologies. By equipping more developers with the knowledge to understand and implement these protocols, we can directly address the skill gap that limits the development of privacy-focused and scalable solutions in the Cardano ecosystem. Assistants will better understand how a zk protocol works, its pros and cons, its use cases and constraints. This will empower them in the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) that prioritize user privacy and data security, reinforcing Cardano's reputation as a secure blockchain. As developers become more familiar with zk protocols, they will be better positioned to innovate and integrate these technologies into their projects, stimulating the development of the ecosystem.

The course recordings and materials will be publicly available, creating a long-lasting resource for the wider Cardano community. This not only benefits those who participate in the course but also future developers seeking to learn about zero-knowledge protocols. The collaborative nature of the course will also encourage networking and collaboration among Cardano developers, contributing to a stronger and more unified community.

In summary, our project will equip the Cardano community with essential zk knowledge, catalyzing security-focused innovation and broadening the use cases of the Cardano blockchain, while fostering ongoing education and collaboration.

[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?

Eryx has already successfully delivered a similar course on zero-knowledge cryptography in the past, which was well-received by more than 80 participants. For information and references see https://www.zkcity.xyz.

Our team is composed by math PhDs and computer scientists, both current and former lecturers at the best universities of Argentina. They have extensive experience in cryptography and blockchain technology.

Given our prior experience, we are confident in the feasibility of this project. The core structure of the course has been proven effective, and the improvements we plan to implement—such as updated materials, deeper dives into specific Cardano-related zk applications, and enhanced interactive coding sessions—are designed to elevate the learning experience. The feasibility is clear, as we are building on a tested framework while incorporating feedback from past participants to refine the course.

Some of the feedback we received from past participants.

"They managed to bring difficult content closer to an inexperienced audience. They did it in an organized and comprehensive way, as in addition to presenting the knowledge in a didactic manner, they complemented it with talks featuring people from the industry and created opportunities for networking. I am grateful to them and congratulate them. You can tell they enjoy what they do. Thank you for everything." - Software engineer.

"Congratulations to the whole team. The classes were very useful for understanding the topic. It’s clear that you are very passionate about it." - Mathematician.

"The people at Eryx were great. It was a pleasure having them as instructors." - Computer science student.

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

Course Preparation

• Prepare all course materials, including slide decks, coding exercises, and supplementary reading.
• Finalize the curriculum ensuring it is comprehensive and accessible for non-zk developers.
• Define and book the venue for the in-person sessions, ensuring it accommodates participants and technical requirements.
• Look for potential sponsors to support course elements such as video recording and post-production.
• Set up the necessary platforms and tools for delivering the course (e.g., live sessions, coding environments).

As our Alma mater, the Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires is a strong candidate both for sponsorship and venue.

Course Promotion & Outreach

• Develop a static webpage to promote the course to the wider Cardano and blockchain development community.
• Utilize social media, newsletters, and partnerships within the community to maximize course visibility and reach.
• Create sign-up and registration mechanisms, ensuring access for interested participants.

 Course Delivery

• Execute the one-week course as planned, with five daily 4-hour lectures including Q&A and hands-on coding sessions.
• If sponsorship is secured, record the sessions for later publication.

Post-Course Activities

• If sponsorship is secured, publish the recorded course videos on public platforms (e.g., YouTube) for wider community access.
• Distribute course materials (e.g. slides, exercises and code samples) for continued learning and reference.

Collect feedback from participants to evaluate the course’s success and gather insights for future improvements.

Prepare a final project report detailing course outcomes, participant engagement, and the overall impact on the Cardano community.

Produce a short video summarizing the course and its key highlights, to share with stakeholders and the broader blockchain community.

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

Sergio Chouhy

• Role: Lecturer
• Github: https://github.com/schouhy 
• Responsibilities: Sergio has a PhD in math and is a senior applied ZK cryptographer at Eryx. He is also a former lecturer at the math department of the University of Buenos Aires He’s got extensive experience implementing zero-knowledge protocols across different ecosystems. 

Caro Lang

• Role: Lecturer
• Github: https://github.com/carolang
• Responsibilities: Caro is a computer scientist, ZK cryptographer at Eryx and a lecturer at University of Quilmes. He has many years of experience as a software developer and recently completed a Cardano course by IOHK. Caro will work along with Sergio in organizing and giving lectures.

Agustín Garassino

• Role: ZK Cryptographer
• Github: https://github.com/ajgara 
• Responsibilities: Agustín is a computer scientist, professor at the University Torcuato Di Tella and a senior applied ZK cryptographer at Eryx. He’s got extensive experience implementing zero-knowledge protocols across different ecosystems. 

The rest of the Eryx team will be available to provide technical support for the coding sessions.

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

Preparation: ₳20,000

Development of course materials (slides, exercises, code samples). Time spent to design and finalize the curriculum.

Venue Costs: ₳10,000

Renting a space that accommodates at least 35 students. Technical setup.

Promotion & Outreach: ₳15,000

Marketing efforts to reach potential participants. Design and development of the webpage. Platform costs for participant registration and communication.

Food & Cocktail: ₳3,000

Snacks and coffee for the participants. A closing cocktail hour at the end.

Instructor Fees: ₳40,000

Compensation for expert instructors delivering the course over five days. Q&A sessions and support throughout the course.

Post-course: ₳2,000

Distribution of course materials (slides, code, recorded sessions) to the participants and the community. Creation of supplemental materials.

Sponsorship-Dependent: TBD

Given sponsorship is secured, we can include:

• Budget for video recordings of all classes
• Breakfast and/or lunch for participants.
• Coverage of travel & accommodation expenses for students from abroad.
• Merchandising.

Total Budget Request: ₳90,000

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

The budget is designed to provide maximum value to the Cardano ecosystem while remaining proportional to typical costs in the region. All expenses have been carefully calculated to ensure high-quality education and participant experience, while keeping costs efficient and impactful.

Preparation and Instructor Fees (₳20,000 + ₳40,000): The compensation for expert instructors reflects standard rates in the blockchain and cryptography industry. These are three highly skilled professionals delivering a week-long intensive course, which requires extensive preparation and hands-on support.

If we estimate preparation hours based on the standard “1 hour of preparation for 1 hour of lecture” the full course will require around 40 hours in total. With three professors assigned to the course, this results in a cost of ₳500 per hour, which, at the current exchange rate of approximately 0.3 USD, equates to USD 166 per hour.

These rates are aligned with consultancy fees typical for Argentina and similar countries, ensuring fair compensation while providing top-tier expertise.

Venue Costs (₳10,000): We have received an offer from a venue that costs approximately 150 USD per hour. Given that the course will run for about 20 hours (five 4-hour sessions), the total cost would be USD 3,000, which amounts to roughly ₳9,000. We have added an additional ₳1,000 to cover technical setup and allow for some flexibility.