Photo Courtesy of HackQuest
Byline: Rena Marie
When HackQuest’s co-founder Kevin Li talks about the future of Web3, he doesn’t just mean faster blockchains or shinier protocols. For him, the real breakthrough lies in the people who build them. That belief just led HackQuest, the education and hackathon platform for blockchain developers, to acquire BuidlBox, a rising hub for hackathons and bounty-driven collaboration.
The deal, announced this week, signals a deeper consolidation in the still-young Web3 developer ecosystem. On paper, it pairs HackQuest’s strength in curated learning resources and certifications with BuidlBox’s reputation for running large-scale hackathons, many of them marquee gatherings like ETHDenver and Permissionless. In practice, it is an attempt to create what Li calls “an unparalleled platform for developers to learn, build, and launch the next wave of decentralized applications.”
Why BuidlBox Matters
BuidlBox is not just another online forum. Founded by veterans who once ran Gitcoin hackathons, the platform quickly became known for turning hackathons into launchpads. Developers came not only for the prize money but also for the access, connections to major ecosystems, introductions to founders, and chances to turn projects into funded startups.
“Hackathons are where Web3 projects are born,” said Irina Marinescu, co-founder and CEO of BuidlBox. “Our north star has always been to give builders the space, resources, and community to launch durable decentralized utilities. Partnering with HackQuest brings that mission to a global scale.”
What Developers Can Expect
For developers, the acquisition promises more than a bigger logo at the top of a webpage. HackQuest is pitching it as a practical upgrade to the builder journey:
- Broader reach: Combined communities across multiple continents.
- Bigger stages: Hackathons with larger prize pools and stronger partnerships.
- Richer learning paths: BuidlBox’s event-driven opportunities tied to HackQuest’s structured courses and onchain certifications.
- Expanded networks: Access to more mentors, peers, and founders across the Web3 world.
Morten Pedersen, BuidlBox’s co-founder and COO, framed it simply: “We’re proud of what we created and excited to see HackQuest carry that spirit forward on an even larger stage.”
The Bigger Picture
For HackQuest, which already works with ecosystems like Solana, Arbitrum, and Mantle, the deal is as much about philosophy as it is about scale. Harry Zhang, the company’s co-founder and CMO, stressed the importance of accessibility. “Education in the onchain era should be borderless. We’ve known the BuidlBox team for years, and this acquisition takes our relationship to the next level, creating a hub where diverse talents can thrive and innovate without barriers.”
It is also a signal that developer platforms in Web3 are maturing. In an industry often criticized for hype over substance, moves like this suggest the infrastructure for real builder growth is solidifying. The next “killer dApp” may not come from a Silicon Valley garage, but from a hackathon stage in Denver, Lisbon, or Singapore.
What’s Next for the Community
HackQuest says the transition for BuidlBox users will be seamless. Members will soon receive details on how their accounts, event access, and community tools will be integrated. Both companies emphasize that BuidlBox’s culture, the late-night building, the open-source ethos, the sense of shared discovery, will remain intact.
If anything, the hope is that those qualities will spread even further.
As Marinescu put it: “Scaling impact is the dream. With HackQuest, we’re closer than ever.”
About HackQuest
HackQuest is the premier Web3 developer education and hackathon platform, partnering with over 100 leading ecosystems—including Solana, Arbitrum, and Mantle—to deliver expert-curated learning paths with onchain certification. HackQuest supports builders through hackathons, co-learning camps, global events, and founders’ programs.
About BuidlBox
BuidlBox is a leading Web3 hackathon and bounty platform, fostering innovation through collaborative building experiences and developer-focused events. Debuting at ETHDenver in 2023, BuidlBox has connected thousands of builders with ecosystems and opportunities worldwide.
Media Contact:
Contact: