Alright, we’ll admit it – this post is a bit overdue. But the TON Hackers League Bootcamp in Belgrade was such a standout event that we couldn’t skip the chance to reflect on it, even if it’s a little late. As one of the partners of TON, AIN had the privilege of playing a key role in the TON Hackers League Bootcamp held in Belgrade this November. Our CEO, Branislav Đalić, served as a keynote speaker and mentored participants throughout the event, sharing insights and guiding them as they developed their innovative mini apps. Let’s take a closer look at this inspiring three-day event, where collaboration, learning, and creativity took center stage.
What is TON?
For start, here’s a quick introduction for those who may not be familiar with TON and TON Society.
The Open Network (TON) is a decentralized blockchain ecosystem designed to make crypto accessible to everyone. Its goal? To bring Web3 to the masses by integrating it directly into Telegram Messenger.
TON Society is a global grassroots movement dedicated to supporting the TON community through growth systems and events. By connecting, growing, and contributing, TON Society helps foster a vibrant Web3 community.
Now, back to the main event. From November 8th to 10th, 2024, Belgrade hosted one of the Hackers League Bootcamps, a global series of 3-day developer events in 20 cities. These bootcamps are a prelude to the TON Hackers League Hackathon and are designed to provide full immersion into the TON ecosystem.
The Belgrade edition delivered in spades, blending insightful workshops, expert-led lectures, and fun entertainment activities. Participants dove deep into the TON ecosystem, collaborating with fellow builders and learning from some of the most knowledgeable minds in the industry.
Strong Lineup of Speakers
The bootcamp featured insightful talks with speakers and mentors who brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the event:
- Branislav Đalić, CTO & Co-Founder at AIN LLC
- Tobias Lewis, BD & Partnership Manager at TOP and former TON Foundation’s Strategic Content Manager
- Alik Taleepov, Builders Program Lead at TON Society
- Miron Puzanov, Ecosystem Manager at TON Foundation
- Anton Nizhegoltsev, Moderator at Mini Apps Platform (TON Studio)
Their sessions covered everything from the latest developments in the TON ecosystem to practical insights for developers looking to make their mark in the blockchain space.
Learning and Collaboration
TON Hackers League Bootcamp in Belgrade was a dynamic mix of learning, coding, and networking. On day one, participants dove straight into the TON ecosystem with keynote speeches, icebreakers, and team-building activities like the HubCollab game. Afterward, it was all about coding, with plenty of time for participants to start developing their mini apps.
Day two focused on refining projects with 1-on-1 mentoring sessions and expert advice on getting apps into the TON Apps Center. In between free coding time, participants networked and made valuable connections.
The final day kicked off with pitching tips and time for teams to perfect their presentations. The event concluded with an exciting pitch session and a wrap-up party to celebrate the winners and the hard work of all the participants.
The bootcamp wasn’t just a learning opportunity—it was a vibrant, collaborative experience where developers got hands-on with their projects, connected with mentors and peers, and walked away with new skills, insights, and friendships.
Celebrating the Top Teams
The event culminated in a wrap-up party where the top three teams were recognized for their innovative mini-apps. Sharing a $5,000 prize pool, the winners were:
- Klemen Kerin and David Štefan with Move – a mini app that rewards users with tokens for every kilometer they walk or run.
- Ivan Ivanov, Andrei Cherepanov, Alexander Lazarev, and Dmitrii Milostnov with hvala.tips – a mini app that allows tipping in crypto.
- Aleksandr Kozlov and Maksim Ilin with Photon – a mini app where users can showcase photos, vote, earn coins, and compete with others.
The Journey Continues
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made the TON Hackers League Bootcamp in Belgrade such a success. A huge thank you to the organizers for putting together an event that fostered learning and innovation, to the speakers for sharing their expertise and inspiring the next generation of builders, and to the participants for bringing their energy, creativity, and passion to the table.
Stay tuned for more updates – something exciting is just around the corner! In the meantime, take a look at some photos that capture the spirit of the Bootcamp. Special thanks to our friend and photographer Anton Klochkov for capturing these unforgettable moments!
