7.18.2024

HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp 2024 Recap: Get Market-Ready For The Next Internet Revolution

by
Patrick Li

In the summer of 2024, the HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp, co-hosted by Harvard AE and OnePiece Labs, came to a triumphant close. This dynamic, multi-week online program drew an extraordinary array of participants from every corner of the globe, all fervently passionate about Web3. Among them were leading tech experts, visionary entrepreneurs, and eager learners, all driven by a profound curiosity for blockchain and its revolutionary applications. United in their quest for knowledge, they boldly explored the thrilling and transformative frontiers of this groundbreaking field.

Webinar Session: Learn From The Innovators

The Web3 Bootcamp featured a series of enlightening webinar sessions led by esteemed industry experts, meticulously designed to cover a comprehensive range of topics essential to the burgeoning Web3 ecosystem. These sessions provided participants with invaluable insights into the fundamental and advanced aspects of Web3, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of this revolutionary field. 

Web3 and Blockchain

The inaugural webinar of the HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp featured Yat Siu, Chairman of Animoca Brands, who launched the session with his profound insights on a variety of pivotal topics. His discussion encompassed Understanding Web3 & Blockchain, the Political & Economic Aspects of this technology, and the Redefinition of Ownership & Capitalism. He also explored the paradigm of Shared Growth, the advent of a New Era in Gaming, and the facilitation of Ownership & Capital Formation, setting a high standard for the subsequent sessions in the bootcamp.

Smart Contracts

The second webinar of the HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp featured George Melika, Co-Founder and CEO of VoltaCircuit. Melika provided the audience with a deep understanding of the essence and future of crypto, offering insights into Smart Contracts, their inherent challenges, and their evolving potential. His expertise helped demystify these complex topics, leaving participants well-prepared for the rapidly changing landscape of blockchain technology.

Centralized Exchange(CEX) and Decentralized Exchange(DEX)

The third webinar of the HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp featured Haider Rafique, CMO of OKX, who delved into the comparison between Centralized Exchanges (CEX) and Decentralized Exchanges (DEX). Rafique also offered a forward-looking perspective on the future of crypto exchanges and detailed OKX's strategic approach. His valuable insights provided participants with a thorough understanding of the dynamics shaping cryptocurrency trading platforms and the innovative strategies underpinning OKX's growth.

Non-Fungible Token (NFT)

The fourth honored speaker was Dirk Lueth, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Upland. He shared insights into Upland's journey, token launch and regulation, upcoming partnerships and features, and comparisons of virtual worlds. Lueth also explored the metaverse, discussed the value of land in Upland, examined the future of real-world assets in the metaverse, and highlighted future applications of NFTs. His comprehensive presentation provided participants with a deep understanding of Upland's innovations and the broader implications for the metaverse and NFT ecosystems.

Tokenomics

Paul Taylor, invited as the fifth honored speaker, delivered an expert walkthrough of tokenomics. As an angel investor, he provided a comprehensive overview of token design, utility, and distribution, explaining how these elements drive value and sustainability in blockchain projects. Taylor's insights offered participants a clear understanding of the strategic importance of tokenomics in decentralized finance.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

The 5th distinguished speaker was Michael Heinrich, the Co-founder of 0G, is at the helm of this transformative movement, leveraging DeFi to provide financial services that are open and accessible to all. During his session, he delved into the innovative strategies 0G employs to democratize finance, discussed the potential of DeFi to revolutionize traditional banking systems, and shared insights on the future trajectory of open financial services. Heinrich's presentation not only highlighted the disruptive power of DeFi but also inspired participants to envision a more inclusive and equitable financial ecosystem.

Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO)

The seventh honored speaker, Ken Nim, Co-Founder of Offchain San Francisco, guided the audience through the empowering world of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). He demonstrated how to harness the collective intelligence and transparency of these innovative digital entities to drive community-driven innovation. Nim's insights provided participants with a clear understanding of the potential of DAOs to revolutionize organizational structures and empower communities to collaborate effectively and transparently.

Web3 and AI

Xiaoliang Qi, a professor at Stanford University, delivered an invaluable lecture on Web3 and AI, leading the webinar session to a high note. His insights into the convergence of AI and blockchain technologies captivated the audience, providing a deep understanding of the potential future developments in these fields. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where participants had the opportunity to interact directly with Professor Qi, making it a memorable and enlightening experience for all attendees.

Workshops: Embark On An Unparallelled Learning Experience

The HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp also featured hands-on workshops to provide practical experience. These sessions allowed participants to apply their newfound knowledge, engage in collaborative problem-solving, and receive feedback from experts.

Creating a Decentralized Wallet

The first workshop of the HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp 2024 featured a presentation by Cony Jin, Senior Marketing Manager from OKX, on creating a decentralized wallet. She introduced the OKX Wallet, highlighting its unique features, the registration process, and methods for securing the wallet.

Pitch Day

The second workshop was a pitch day, where outstanding teams showcased their projects. The event was honored by the presence of distinguished judges: Julian Love, Venture Investor at Franklin Templeton Venture Capital, and Eric Gilbert-Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of The Public Bored.

Pitching Teams:
  • Team1: Néstor Campos - Monetizado
  • Team2: Michael Miksa - Crypto Frags
  • Team3: Mariam Nusrat - Breshna.io 
  • Team4: Grace - Fog Works 

Community and Media Partners

The success of HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp 2024 is largely due to the invaluable support of our esteemed collaborators in the Web3 sphere. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Animoca Brands, VoltaCircuit, OKX, Upland, Offchain, Stanford University, Franklin Templeton Venture Capital and The Public Bored for their unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and driving positive change.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the transformative journey of the HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp 2024, it is evident that the program has not only expanded knowledge but also built a vibrant, global community dedicated to the advancement of Web3 technologies. The bootcamp's success is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared vision in shaping the future of the digital world. We look forward to continuing this journey with our participants, partners, and the wider Web3 community, driving forward the next wave of internet revolution together.