Protocol Events at Network School: Solana, Monad, and More

Protocol events at Network School are programs organized by blockchain protocol teams who visit the campus. These include presentations about the protocol's technology, workshops on building with their tools, hackathons sponsored by the protocol, and networking sessions with team members. Protocols like Solana, Monad, and others in the blockchain space have used NS as a venue to engage with developers and builders in a concentrated setting. These events bring external energy and resources into the community and give members direct access to the teams behind major blockchain projects.

Protocol-sponsored hackathons are among the most popular events at NS. These typically run over a weekend or a full week, challenging members to build applications using the sponsoring protocol's technology. Prizes often include cash, tokens, or grant funding. Beyond the prizes, hackathons provide a forcing function for learning and shipping. Members who have been studying a protocol in courses get to apply their knowledge under real pressure. Teams form organically, and the cross-functional community means you can find developers, designers, and product people to collaborate with. Hackathon results sometimes lead to fellowship funding or ongoing protocol support.

Protocol teams often send founders, engineers, and developer relations staff to give talks at NS. These sessions provide insight into the protocol's roadmap, technical architecture, and ecosystem opportunities. Workshops go deeper, walking members through building specific applications or integrating with the protocol. The intimate setting of NS, compared to a large conference, means you can ask detailed questions and have meaningful conversations with protocol team members. This access is one of the unique advantages of being at NS during a protocol event.

Protocol events are announced through the NS Discord and community channels. They are open to all members, though some events may have registration or team formation requirements. To get the most from protocol events, familiarize yourself with the visiting protocol beforehand. Read their documentation, try their tools, and come prepared with questions. If you are a developer, have your development environment set up so you can hit the ground running at hackathons. Even non-technical members benefit from protocol events through networking and ecosystem understanding. You can apply at ns.com and time your visit to coincide with events that interest you.