Published on 27.6.2023
Hello BRIDG3 community!
Today, we bring you an exciting post-hackathon interview with Katrina, Lassi, and Sille, the dynamic trio that emerged as the winning team at our recent BRIDG3 hackathon. Their journey from ideation to triumph is an inspiration for us all.
The team first came together when Katrina met Lassi at a BRIDG3 networking event and later invited her study mate Sille to join in. With a goal to learn more about Web3 and Metaverse, they entered the hackathon hoping to have fun, and maybe even win.
“Our goal was to have fun, learn, and, since we were already here, why not go for the win?” - said Katrina while reminiscing the early days of their journey.
Their winning project, Authbound, was a blend of ingenuity and practicality. Responding to the challenge of enabling a fun and safe Metaverse society, they decided to focus on creating a secure environment for users. They leveraged Lassi’s previous idea for an authentication platform and brought it to life with soulbound tokens and zero-knowledge technology.
During their hackathon journey, they embodied the spirit of teamwork, with Lassi as the coding maestro and Katrina and Sille bringing their business development prowess to the table. With frequent collaboration and clear understanding of each other’s goals, they managed to synergize their strengths to create an outstanding project.
Lassi summarized their success thanking the entire team: “To win and succeed you need more than code and a good idea. You need a good team!”
In terms of innovation, their most significant breakthrough was reframing the challenge, asking not what the organizers wanted, but what the users needed. This led them to Authbound and a strong belief in their solution.
As with any hackathon, learning was central to their experience. Besides gaining a deeper understanding of Web3 and Metaverse concepts, they discovered the wisdom in Einstein’s saying: “Love the problem, not the solution.” They also learned the importance of having a good team beyond having good code.
When it came to presenting their project, they crafted a compelling narrative of their journey, introducing characters and sharing a relatable demo of Authbound. Their engaging, conversational style set them apart and earned them praise from the audience.
As for the future of Authbound, the team is excited to continue developing it. While they have big dreams, their immediate focus is to map out their next steps and explore what Authbound needs to thrive and contribute to a safer Metaverse and Web3 space.
Hackathons like BRIDG3 are more than just a competition. They are a platform that enables entrepreneurs, technologists, and enthusiasts to come together, brainstorm, and bring forth innovative solutions that not only solve the proposed challenges but can also form the basis of successful startups.
These gatherings often act as the birthplace for groundbreaking innovations, contributing significantly to the Finnish tech ecosystem and future economic growth. The innovative prototypes that participants develop during hackathons often attract the attention of investors, which can lead to funding and further development of the ideas into viable businesses.
With the emerging focus on Web3 and the Metaverse, hackathons like BRIDG3 provide a unique avenue to foster new ideas in these areas. As a result of the BRIDG3 Hackathon, we’re witnessing the birth of six new startup teams, positioning Finland at the forefront of the digital revolution, leading to long-term economic benefits for the country.
For those considering participating in future hackathons, Katrina encourages you to just jump in, regardless of how much time you have or how many people you want to meet. Hackathons can be tailored to suit your preferences, and there are always people ready to support you.
Their journey shows us that a hackathon can be an incredible learning and growth experience, even beyond the prospect of winning. Here’s to Katrina, Lassi, and Sille for inspiring us all and making the BRIDG3 community proud.
We can’t wait to see where their Authbound journey takes them next!
Stay tuned to this space for more hackathon stories, updates, and insights!
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