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!
  • In order to apply for Stacks Ascent, applicants need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • Placed in a previous Stacks developer competition
    • Attended an in-person Stacks event
    • Have a proven track record as a developer in another ecosystem and have something specific you want to build out on Stacks
    • Previously received any grant from DeGrants or any Stacks entity
    Find an Event
  • 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:
    • Decide on and validate your main Ascent project idea
    • Create a social post announcing your journey
    • Create a social post introducing your idea that you want to build
    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:
    • Create a new project from scratch (if you don’t have one already for your idea) with a valid Clarity contract and comprehensive inline code documentation (comments explaining logic)
    • Submit video explaining your new project and code (need to demonstrate understanding and solid smart contract thinking)
    Unlocks:
    • Wayfinder Grant [$750]
    • User research training
  • Level 3️⃣: Mountaineer [$1K Grant]
    Tasks:
    • 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
    • Get 5 users for your product and conduct research interviews with them
    Unlocks:
    • Mountaineer Grant [$1000]
  • Level 4️⃣: Alpinist [$2K Grant]
    Tasks:
    • Implement the feedback from your user research sessions
    • Create a project README/docs
    • Create a series of social posts from your docs demonstrating your product after you implement the feedback
    • Pass technical review looking at functionality, organization, and test quality
    • Get 15 users to try out your testnet app and record a Loom demonstrating how they are using the app
    Unlocks:
    • Alpinist Grant [$2,000]
    • Feedback on your code and how to improve
  • Level 5️⃣: Stacks Sherpa [$3K Grant]
    Tasks:
    • Get at least 25 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 deep dive covering technical setup, how your project has evolved based on user feedback, how users are currently using your app, and what your next steps are
    Unlocks:
    • Sherpa Grant [$3,000]
    • Addition to developer talent pool
    • Fast track to Accelerator (upcoming perk)
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