Find your path to the top of the mountain!
Stacks Ascent
  • Build your proof of work on the world’s leading Bitcoin layer
    Unlock grants, networking opportunities, and kickstart your career on Stacks, the leading Bitcoin L2.
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All levels are welcome, our Stacks Sherpas will make sure you are mountain-ready!
  • Your gateway into Stacks development. Getting started is easy, tell us a little bit about yourself and we'll start preparing to welcome you at basecamp!

    Tasks:
    • Complete the first two LearnWeb3 courses
    • Provide link to GH repos of projects from the course
    • Choose one of the LW3 projects and submit a new feature that integrates Clarity, tests, and a frontend change
    • Write three social posts about your journey.
    • Submit a Loom walking through your changes
    Unlocks:
    • Trailblazer Grant [$250]
    • Access to private Telegram channel for Ascent members
    • Stacks merch/swag store code
    Get Started
Please note that level requirements and unlocks are subject to change at the discretion of the Stacks Foundation. Changes will be communicated via email to program participants and reflected on this website.
  • Level 2️⃣: Wayfinder [$750 Grant]
    Tasks:
    • Complete LW3 Course 3
    • Create a new project from scratch with a valid Clarity contract and comprehensive inline code documentation (comments explaining logic)
    • Create a social post walking through the new project you are creating and tag me
    • Create a social post walking through your contract and what it does
    • Submit video explaining your new project and code (need to demonstrate understanding)
    Unlocks:
    • Wayfinder Grant [$750]
  • Level 3️⃣: Mountaineer [$1K Grant]
    Tasks:
    • Complete LW3 Course 4 (when released)
    • Create a fully functioning frontend for your project
    • Create a passing unit test suite with >80% coverage and fuzz testing with Rendezvous
    • Create social posts showcasing your frontend, your testing suite, and your testnet deployment
    • Deploy to testnet with working demo link
    Unlocks:
    • Mountaineer Grant [$1000]
  • Level 4️⃣: Alpinist [$2K Grant]
    Tasks:
    • Create a technical writeup for your project
    • Create a project README
    • Create a series of social posts from your long form technical writeup
    • Pass technical review looking at functionality, organization, and test quality
    Unlocks:
    • Alpinist Grant [$2,000]
    • Feedback on your code and how to improve
  • Level 5️⃣: Stacks Sherpa [$3K Grant]
    Tasks:
    • Get at least 5 non-team users for your app
    • Pass final technical review looking at optimization and best practices
    • Ensure project passes audit-ready checklist (to be completed in partnership with Hacken)
    • Create social posts outlining any changes you made and how you got your users
    • Present project in a 10-minute technical deep dive
    Unlocks:
    • Sherpa Grant [$3,000]
    • Addition to developer talent pool
FAQ
Other important stuff
  • Question:
    Does my application have to be 100% Stacks-based?
    Answer:
    Yes, for Stacks Ascent your project must be built on Stacks. However, you can integrate with other services for the frontend and supporting infrastructure. The core functionality should rely on Clarity contracts or a frontend system that utilizes Stacks technology such as stacks.js or the Stacks API.
  • Question:
    Does my application have to be live on mainnet?
    Answer:
    No, deployment to testnet is sufficient for all levels. Level 5 requires actual users on testnet, but mainnet deployment is optional. We encourage eventual mainnet launch but don't require it for program completion.
  • Question:
    Does my project have to be brand new for Stacks Ascent?
    Answer:
    No, if you are already building something you can pick up the Stacks Ascent journey from wherever you are. If you've been building for some time, reach out as we can discuss accelerating you through lower levels.
  • Question:
    What if my project has raised money?
    Answer:
    For Level 1, you'll work with LearnWeb3 course projects. Starting from Level 2, you'll create a new project from scratch. If you already have significant Stacks development experience, you will benefit more from applying your skills to other programs like our grants or ongoing builder competitions.
  • Question:
    What if I stop coding or get distracted from my journey for a while?
    Answer:
    You can pause and resume anytime. Your progress is saved indefinitely. However, if you're inactive for 6+ months, we may ask you to demonstrate retained knowledge before continuing to higher levels. There are also minimum time gaps between levels that reset if you take extended breaks.
  • Question:
    Can I use multiple emails or identities to participate?
    Answer:
    No. One person, one journey. All participants must complete KYC for grant payments. Any attempt to game the system through multiple identities will result in immediate disqualification from the program and blacklisting from future Stacks developer opportunities.
  • Question:
    Do I need to make any purchases to be eligible?
    Answer:
    Absolutely not. Entry is free, along with all the education you might need to get to the point where you're able to participate. Our team reserves full discretion to disqualify participants and there will be no appeals process. Put simply, if we feel you're trying to cheat the system or spirit of the Stacks Ascent, we can disqualify you. Don't make us do it ;)
  • Question:
    I have another question
    Answer:
    Great, you can get in touch with us at developers@stacks.org.
Get Started