Announcing APOLLO (Gitcoin x Filecoin)
Tags: web3, blockchain
Published: 2020-08-07 22:46:25

In partnership with Protocol Labs, we’re excited to welcome builders from everywhere[ to APOLLO](https://gitcoin.co/hackathon/filecoin/onboard?utm_source=post&utm_medium=devto&utm_campaign=apollo-08072020), your mission control to engage with the builders and doers within Filecoin community.

For the accepted builders, APOLLO will feel like a room full of new friends building great things around Filecoin. We’ll share ideas, fantastic learning materials, and time building relationships together around our ideas for a better future.

APOLLO will run from August 19th – September 30th as a 6-week, invite-only program designed for **entrepreneurs**, **builders** and **makers** interested in the Filecoin ecosystem to either continue their work or start new projects using Filecoin and Web3 ecosystem. You can join building a Filecoin infrastructure project, an early stage Filecoin startup, or as an interested builder.

The program is inspired in large part by the success of KERNEL, which has brought together 250+ builders to build 70 projects and — most importantly — foster lifelong relationships amongst the peers in the program. We can’t wait to build on the success here with a similar APOLLO mission 😉.

We hope you’ll join us.

**[Register Now](https://gitcoin.co/hackathon/filecoin/onboard?utm_source=post&utm_medium=devto&utm_campaign=apollo-08072020)**

For those who don’t know,[ Filecoin](https://filecoin.io/) is a peer-to-peer network that stores files, with built-in economic incentives to ensure files are stored reliably over time. It is made by Protocol Labs and builds on top of the[ InterPlanetary File System](https://ipfs.io/), allowing **users to rent unused hard drive space.**

At the core of the vision, It is decentralized storage that serves as the data backbone and will break the bottleneck of data transfer in web3 and Ethereum’s applications.


## **What is APOLLO?**

[Filecoin Ignite](https://ignite.fil.events/) has been a concerted effort from the Filecoin community to prepare the Filecoin community for their mainnet launch later this year. Starting with our peers at[ ETHGlobal](https://ethglobal.co/) with[ HackFS](https://hackfs.com/), continuing with[ Space Race](https://filecoin.io/blog/announcing-testnet-incentives/) for Filecoin Miners, and now, with APOLLO, Filecoin is continuing to show their dedication to building a strong, sustainable community.

Over the course of 6 weeks from August 17th to September 30th, we hope to see 300+ people building 50+ projects and building relationships in the Filecoin ecosystem which last **_well beyond_** the event.

The focus of APOLLO is to provide a giving-based “home base” for talented peers interested in Filecoin. The program will be participatory in nature, which starts with a strong syllabus to learn how to think about and build open systems. From there, the programming will provide opportunities for APOLLO Builders to grow their projects and build lifelong relationships alongside other builders on the frontier of Filecoin world.

Afterwards, many projects may move forward into different programs — including the a) Filecoin Grants ecosystem and b) Tachyon’s Filecoin Launchpad, where APOLLO Builders can go to receive investment in their startups. Hopefully, many will become mainstays within the nascent Filecoin ecosystem.

The opt-in curriculum of the program is divided into micro-milestones which will help you find a home in the Filecoin ecosystem, potential as a) a business or b) a grantee of the Filecoin ecosystem, or in other ways to continue your work well beyond the program.


> We invest in the best and brightest builders creating the open internet

We believe that it is important to have exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and nationalities in the program. We’ll be working hard to make sure the cohort reflects those values.

With the success of[ KERNEL](https://gitcoin.co/blog/announcing-kernel/) (which includes 200+ builders from 48 countries), we are highly motivated in providing the best experience to the Ignite cohort who puts their[ trust](https://kernel.community/module-0/trust/) in us. We look forward to seeing your application!

**[Register Now](https://gitcoin.co/hackathon/filecoin/onboard?utm_source=post&utm_medium=devto&utm_campaign=apollo-08072020)**


### **FAQs**

**_Is there a cost for APOLLO?_**

There is no cost for accepted participants to attend the program. There may be a requirement to stake $50 if you’d like access to the exclusive community events during the program, which you’d receive back at the end of the program.

**_How do I join?_**

Hit “Join Now” above, and fill out the registration form. Gitcoin will review your application and select a curated list of registrants to join a private, invite-only chat for the event.

**_What is the timeline for the program?_**



*   **Applications Open**: July 28th, 2020
*   **Applications Close**: August 18th, 2020
*   **Acceptance Required**: August 22nd, 2020
*   **Kick-off Retreat:** August 24th, 2020
*   **The End:** September 30th, 2020