Latest news with #HackQuest
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
HackQuest Secures $4.1 Million in Funding Led by Animoca Brands and Open Campus to Tackle Web3's Critical Developer Shortage
HackQuest has raised $4.1 million in Pre-A funding, led by Animoca Brands and Open Campus, to expand its developer platform. The platform, which tackles Web3's talent gap through education, on-chain credentials, and ecosystem support, has already onboarded 90,000 developers across 30+ countries. Singapore, August 9, 2025 -- HackQuest, a pioneering one-stop developer ecosystem for Web3, today announced the successful closure of a $4.1 million Pre-A funding round. The round was led by esteemed industry leaders Animoca Brands and Open Campus, with participation from a consortium of other strategic investors, including Gate Ventures, HashKey Capital, Hash Global, Find Satoshi Labs(StepN), Outlier Ventures, Bytetrade Labs, and angels like Scott Moore of Public Goods, and YY of Signum Capital, among others. This round of fundraising will be used to scale HackQuest's platform, which is designed to solve one of the most pressing challenges in the blockchain industry: the immense gap between the supply of skilled developers and the burgeoning demand from Web3 ecosystems. The company aims to build the foundational infrastructure necessary to onboard, educate, and retain the next generation of blockchain talent, moving beyond flawed, short-term incentive models. Photo Courtesy of HackQuest The disparity in developer talent between the established Web2 world and the emerging Web3 space is staggering. While an estimated 28.7 million developers build for the traditional web, the number of full-time developers in Web3 hovers at just 7,673, according to the Electric Capital 2024 Developer Report. This 4,000-fold gap presents a significant bottleneck to innovation and value creation within the decentralized economy. For years, blockchain networks have attempted to address this by pouring millions into grant programs, yet these efforts have yielded limited long-term success. Many developers participate for the duration of the funding and then depart, failing to create the "stickiness" required for a vibrant, self-sustaining ecosystem. HackQuest was founded to address this systemic issue by creating a clear, comprehensive, and sustainable pathway for developers to enter and thrive in Web3. Kevin Li, CEO of HackQuest, elaborated on the core issue, stating, 'We know that developers are the leading indicator of value creation. If you look at Web 2, ecosystems thrive because developers stay and build. In Web3, we see the opposite—blockchain networks pour money into incentives, but they struggle to retain developers.' Cameron Wang, co-founder of HackQuest, added, 'Meanwhile, developers who want to break into Web3 often hit dead ends because there's no clear hiring pipeline. Web3 doesn't have an interesting problem; it has an onboarding problem.' HackQuest's solution is an integrated platform that connects every stage of a developer's journey. The process begins with structured educational courses co-authored directly with leading blockchain networks such as Mantle, Solana, Arbitrum, Linea, and BNB Chain. This ensures the curriculum is practical, relevant, and aligned with real-world industry needs. From there, developers can immediately apply their knowledge by participating in hackathons, workshops, and in-person community events. A key innovation of the platform is its on-chain credentialing system. Every milestone a developer achieves, from completing a course to building a project or competing in an event, is recorded on-chain as a verifiable credential. This creates a transparent and immutable portfolio that serves as definitive proof of a developer's experience and capabilities. 'This bridges the gap between talent and opportunity,' said Harry Zhang, co-founder of HackQuest. 'If you're a blockchain ecosystem, a startup, or an investor, you no longer have to guess whether a developer is qualified—you can see their verified journey. We're building an entire journey for Web3 developers and founders.' For those aspiring to launch their own ventures, the platform also provides direct access to startup funding, accelerator programs, and ecosystem grants, creating a complete pathway from learning to building and scaling. Since its launch in 2024, HackQuest has demonstrated remarkable traction and market validation. The company has already generated $2 million in revenue, onboarded over 90,000 developers, and sustained an impressive 30% month-over-month growth rate. It has successfully hosted 219 in-person events and 112 hackathons, distributing over $1,450,000 in prizes to participants. The platform's global reach is expanding rapidly, with a presence in more than 30 countries and strong communities in India, the United States, Greater China, Nigeria, and Singapore. Further expansion is underway in key emerging markets, including Indonesia, Turkey, Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, and Vietnam, through strategic local partnerships. HackQuest is a one-stop, self-guided developer education platform. HackQuest offers expert-curated learning paths with on-chain certificates co-issued by leading Web3 ecosystems including Solana, Mantle Network, and Arbitrum. Community builders are supported beyond through co-learning camps, meet-ups, hackathons, and launchpad services. For more information, please visit Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence. Release ID: 89166781 In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting error@ (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Moving Forward: Builders Are Proving What's Possible with CARV's AI Stack
San Jose, California, August 8th, 2025, Chainwire CARV, the first AI infrastructure that is powering the rise of sovereign AI Beings, proudly marks the successful conclusion of the Tech Fairness Hackathon, co-hosted with FAIR3 and HackQuest. The global hackathon, focused on building open, equitable AI and Web3 technologies, drew over 600 applicants and more than 200 registered projects, culminating in 21 winning teams selected from 30 finalists. The event showcased the global momentum behind agent-based, privacy-first, modular applications, perfectly aligned with CARV's long-term roadmap for evolving from data infrastructure into a fully composable, autonomous AI Being Stack. CARV's track challenged developers to go deep into four core infrastructure layers: AI Agent Infra on SVM : Building execution and coordination layers atop CARV's custom Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) chain. : Building execution and coordination layers atop CARV's custom Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) chain. Decentralized Data Orchestration : Leveraging CARV's D.A.T.A. Framework for real-time, consent-based agent data. : Leveraging CARV's D.A.T.A. Framework for real-time, consent-based agent data. Modular Identity & Reputation : Extending the capabilities of CARV ID for agents through behavioral metadata and verifiable Agent IDs. : Extending the capabilities of CARV ID for agents through behavioral metadata and verifiable Agent IDs. Open Innovation: Demonstrating real-world agent applications that align with CARV's consumer-focused direction. Projects like AI World, Cipher Protocol, DootyCall, NutriMe, and PeachLust emerged as leading examples of how decentralized agents can be brought to life through modular infrastructure. These use cases range from AI-powered health apps and generative storytelling platforms to real-time financial assistants—all integrated with identity, data, and onchain execution logic. 'Genesis Evolution is not a theory. Builders are proving what is possible,' said Ambero Tu, CTO of CARV. 'This Hackathon gave us a live lab to test those ideas with builders around the world. The winning projects are not just demos, they are viable microcosms of what the CARV ecosystem can become.' Ambero highlighted that several teams successfully integrated the CARV ID SDK and began experimenting with structured queries to the D.A.T.A. Framework. Furthermore, he emphasized three near-term priorities following the Hackathon: Deploy Agent IDs at Scale: Begin issuing Agent IDs with behavioral metadata, enabling early versions of the Unified Reputation Graph. Launch Early Agent Marketplaces: Enable testnet-native transactions between agents for data access, compute, or service exchange. Drive Governance Participation: Encourage builders to stake veCARV and participate in early governance rounds that influence protocol parameters and developer incentives. Victor Yu, COO of CARV, mentioned that the next step is to support the builders with on-chain deployments, testing environments, and fast-track access to CARV's infrastructure. To continue momentum post-Hackathon, CARV will provide: Engineering mentorship for integrating with the CARV SVM chain and D.A.T.A. Framework Grants and ecosystem onboarding for top teams ready to productize Access to real user traffic via CARV Play and partner platforms Participation in the Agent ID early issuance program Opportunities to propose Agent DAO pilots through veCARV governance CARV sees this Hackathon not as an endpoint, but as the ignition point for an ecosystem of AI Beings, agents that are identity-bound, economically aligned, and designed to serve real people, not just centralized platforms. 'This was a proof of concept not just for our technology, but for our values,' said Victor. 'We are proud to see builders from around the world embrace Tech Fairness, Data Sovereignty, and the Agent Economy. Now, we keep building. Together.' About CARV CARV is where Sovereign AI Beings live, learn, and evolve. What are AI Beings? They are sovereign intelligences born natively on-chain. AI Beings are designed with purpose, autonomy, and the capacity for growth. They possess memory, identity, and the ability to perceive and interact with their environment, not just to execute tasks, but to make independent decisions, adapt over time, and pursue self-defined goals. Anchored by its proprietary CARV SVM Chain, D.A.T.A. Framework, and CARV ID/Agent ID system (ERC-7231), CARV enables verifiable, consent-based AI Beings that learn, adapt, and co-create with users. Driven by CARV's AI-first stack, consumer AI apps incubated through CARV Labs launched on Google Play, App Store and beyond, reaching billions of people, bringing agent-powered experiences and real-world incentives into mainstream digital life. With 8M+ CARV IDs issued, 60K+ verifier nodes, and 1,000+ integrated games, CARV bridges AI agents, Web3 infrastructure, and real-world utility, fueling the rise of agent-driven economies. At its core, $CARV token powers staking, governance, and coordination across this stack, making CARV the operating system for AI Beings on Web3. X (Twitter): Discord: Telegram: Whitepaper: Contact COO Victor Yu CARV vito@
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Moving Forward: Builders Are Proving What's Possible with CARV's AI Stack
CARV, the first AI infrastructure that is powering the rise of sovereign AI Beings, proudly marks the successful conclusion of the Tech Fairness Hackathon, co-hosted with FAIR3 and HackQuest. The global hackathon, focused on building open, equitable AI and Web3 technologies, drew over 600 applicants and more than 200 registered projects, culminating in 21 winning teams selected from 30 finalists. The event showcased the global momentum behind agent-based, privacy-first, modular applications, perfectly aligned with CARV's long-term roadmap for evolving from data infrastructure into a fully composable, autonomous AI Being Stack. CARV's track challenged developers to go deep into four core infrastructure layers: AI Agent Infra on SVM: Building execution and coordination layers atop CARV's custom Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) chain. Decentralized Data Orchestration: Leveraging CARV's D.A.T.A. Framework for real-time, consent-based agent data. Modular Identity & Reputation: Extending the capabilities of CARV ID for agents through behavioral metadata and verifiable Agent IDs. Open Innovation: Demonstrating real-world agent applications that align with CARV's consumer-focused direction. Projects like AI World, Cipher Protocol, DootyCall, NutriMe, and PeachLust emerged as leading examples of how decentralized agents can be brought to life through modular infrastructure. These use cases range from AI-powered health apps and generative storytelling platforms to real-time financial assistants—all integrated with identity, data, and onchain execution logic. 'Genesis Evolution is not a theory. Builders are proving what is possible,' said Ambero Tu, CTO of CARV. 'This Hackathon gave us a live lab to test those ideas with builders around the world. The winning projects are not just demos, they are viable microcosms of what the CARV ecosystem can become.' Ambero highlighted that several teams successfully integrated the CARV ID SDK and began experimenting with structured queries to the D.A.T.A. Framework. Furthermore, he emphasized three near-term priorities following the Hackathon: Deploy Agent IDs at Scale: Begin issuing Agent IDs with behavioral metadata, enabling early versions of the Unified Reputation Graph. Launch Early Agent Marketplaces: Enable testnet-native transactions between agents for data access, compute, or service exchange. Drive Governance Participation: Encourage builders to stake veCARV and participate in early governance rounds that influence protocol parameters and developer incentives. Victor Yu, COO of CARV, mentioned that the next step is to support the builders with on-chain deployments, testing environments, and fast-track access to CARV's infrastructure. To continue momentum post-Hackathon, CARV will provide: Engineering mentorship for integrating with the CARV SVM chain and D.A.T.A. Framework Grants and ecosystem onboarding for top teams ready to productize Access to real user traffic via CARV Play and partner platforms Participation in the Agent ID early issuance program Opportunities to propose Agent DAO pilots through veCARV governance CARV sees this Hackathon not as an endpoint, but as the ignition point for an ecosystem of AI Beings, agents that are identity-bound, economically aligned, and designed to serve real people, not just centralized platforms. 'This was a proof of concept not just for our technology, but for our values,' said Victor. 'We are proud to see builders from around the world embrace Tech Fairness, Data Sovereignty, and the Agent Economy. Now, we keep building. Together.' About CARV CARV is where Sovereign AI Beings live, learn, and evolve. What are AI Beings? They are sovereign intelligences born natively on-chain. AI Beings are designed with purpose, autonomy, and the capacity for growth. They possess memory, identity, and the ability to perceive and interact with their environment, not just to execute tasks, but to make independent decisions, adapt over time, and pursue self-defined goals. Anchored by its proprietary CARV SVM Chain, D.A.T.A. Framework, and CARV ID/Agent ID system (ERC-7231), CARV enables verifiable, consent-based AI Beings that learn, adapt, and co-create with users. Driven by CARV's AI-first stack, consumer AI apps incubated through CARV Labs launched on Google Play, App Store and beyond, reaching billions of people, bringing agent-powered experiences and real-world incentives into mainstream digital life. With 8M+ CARV IDs issued, 60K+ verifier nodes, and 1,000+ integrated games, CARV bridges AI agents, Web3 infrastructure, and real-world utility, fueling the rise of agent-driven economies. At its core, $CARV token powers staking, governance, and coordination across this stack, making CARV the operating system for AI Beings on Web3. Contact COO CARV
