From discovering Dogecoin to becoming a Web3 developer with Sabari Ganesh | DevStories by Lumos Labs
Everybody has a story, period. A tale that elegantly illustrates the times you explored, the ways you learned a few new skills, and how all of it impacted and developed your personality. Stories are shelf trophies one creates and achieves throughout their journey.
And here, we present you-’Dev stories with Lumos Labs’ highlighting developers’ journeys and stories into the web3 space and spotlighting their contribution to the ecosystem. Lumos Metaverse intends to establish an exclusive hub for all the devs to share their ultimate stories. With this, we will bring to the fore the experiences of Web3 developers through their exciting & captivating journeys and stories. These stories can inspire and motivate more developers to join the Web3 ecosystem.
We welcome you to Dev Stories with Lumos, where we dive into fascinating stories of developers starting their journeys in Web3 development. Amidst the rush of curious minds and exciting stories, we are excited to share the story of Sabari Ganesh, a newbie Web3 developer who has been at the forefront of Web3 development and is a student at VIT Chennai. Sabari takes us on his Web3 journey that began with research on Dogecoin and cryptocurrencies to learn all about blockchain. His interest intensified with a desire to mint an NFT to impress his crush. This led to Sabari creating a platform for all to mint NFTs for their crushes, AHEM, respectively. :p
●Introduce yourself and tell us how you began your Web3 journey.
As a B.Tech student in Computer Science and Engineering at VIT Chennai, I was determined to explore the vast world of technology beyond the traditional and shared paths. So, while many of my peers were caught up in the hype of the FAANG companies, I set out to find something truly unique and exciting.
Diving into development, I quickly discovered my passion for front-end development and started to build my skills. But little did I know that my journey was about to take a surprising and unexpected turn.
Initially, I had my aim set on becoming an AI engineer, fascinated by the idea of working with cutting-edge technology. But as I delved deeper into the field, I quickly realized that the heavy focus on math and calculus just wasn’t for me. That’s when I stumbled upon the world of Web3 and cryptocurrencies. The more I learned about Dogecoin, Elon Musk, and the emerging field of decentralized applications, the more I fell in love with the possibilities of Web3.
Thanks to the support of the DAO Community VITC, a blockchain enthusiast group founded in my college, I was able to network with other like-minded individuals and further my understanding of this exciting new field. Now, as a Web3 developer, I couldn’t be happier. Creating and building projects is all I look forward to nowadays. The title of “Web Developer” is nice, but being able to call myself a “CRYPTO Developer” is way cooler.
● How did you come to know about blockchain technology? What sources did you refer to help you comprehend the technology?
My journey into understanding cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology began with a simple Google search. “How cryptocurrencies work” led me to discover the growing technology based on it. Then, as I delved deeper into the official documentation, I found myself captivated by the possibilities of blockchain technology.
To further my understanding, I enrolled in various blockchain courses on Coursera, using my college’s free credits to gain access to the best resources. As a result, I kept learning everything I could about smart contracts, decentralized applications and more.
But my education didn’t stop there. I turned to YouTubers like Clever Programmer and JSMastery for guidance and various tutorials I stumbled upon through my internet searches. Instead of wasting time trying to find the perfect resource, I picked a few that seemed promising and kept learning from them.
As I gained more knowledge, I was able to create my own financial model and simulate payments using smart contracts- a truly rewarding experience. I also used open-source contracts available on Github, such as ERC tokens and the AAVE protocol, as a reference to further my understanding. Furthermore, Lumos Metaverse has been the most significant platform for me. Lumos Metaverse is a developer-centric platform for discovering Web3 opportunities, and the community activities and sessions helped me to scale my knowledge.
Now, with a solid understanding of the technology, I am excited to continue exploring the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
● Tell us about your experience working as a blockchain & web developer? What made you step into this ecosystem?
As I dug deeper into the world of blockchain and Solidity, I had a passionate desire to create something special for my crush. With her birthday approaching, I was determined to use my newfound skills to create a unique and meaningful gift. So, after mastering the basics of Solidity and token standards like ERC721 and ERC1155 through YouTube tutorials, I set out to draft a game that would allow me to mint a one-of-a-kind NFT. Not only that, I made the game public, enabling anyone to mint an NFT for their loved one.
My blockchain and web development skills allowed me to create full-stack web applications and MVPs(minimum viable products) for companies on both Web2 and Web3 platforms. I even had the opportunity to join a top student DeFi start-up in VIT Chennai, where I gained valuable insights into the world of DeFi and honed my analytic and software design skills.
The Web3 ecosystem opened doors for me, allowing me to interact with founders of million-dollar companies and learn the true meaning of networking. I also had the opportunity to learn modern development tools that helped me to sharpen my algorithm skills before even starting my “DSA”( Data structures & algorithms) courses in university. My experience in this field was truly amazing.
● Have you worked on any projects so far? Are you looking forward to building something?
My coding journey began with simple front-end projects like building my personal website and a CGPA calculator. But a chance encounter with a “Clever Programmer” YouTube tutorial sparked my interest in the world of Web3. In the tutorial, he built a blockchain version of Tinder using Moralis, a blockchain framework. That experience taught me how to navigate the documentation and inspired me to create my Web3 project: an e-commerce app that utilizes crypto payments and wallets.
From there, I continued to improve my Web3 development skills by building a medical blockchain Dapp that keeps patient data secure and private and a full-stack blockchain Dapp that allows users to rent a cycle using smart contract-controlled payments and dues. I had the ideas and figured out how the app should work, and I coded the contracts using syntax cheat sheets available on the internet and implemented by algorithms. I also had the opportunity to freelance with consultancies, building core smart contracts and dashboards for pool funding and staking and even coding MVP apps that integrate with smart contracts based on their pitch deck and whitepaper.
Web3 development has opened doors for me, allowing me to think beyond front-end projects and create cutting-edge decentralized applications that involve transactions, privacy and security. It has been an exciting journey, and I look forward to it every day!
● What excites you about Web3? What made you choose this space?
As a developer, I am always looking for challenges and complex projects. So, working in the Web3 space, where I am developing applications for the next generation of finance, has been a fascinating journey for me. Being a part of this emerging technology that is set to revolutionize the financial mainstream is an opportunity of a lifetime.
What I find particularly fascinating about Web3 is the transparency and real-time transactions that happen on the blockchain. It’s genuinely cutting-edge technology that gives individuals more control over their data and digital assets while creating more open and transparent systems for online marketplaces and social networks. The added security and tamper-proof features make the whole process even more thrilling.
One of the most rewarding aspects of working in the Web3 space has been the opportunity to interact with communities like the Lumos Metaverse community. Through participating in discussions and gaming sessions, I’ve been able to network, make friends, and learn more about the industry from like-minded individuals. It’s truly an exciting time to be a part of the Web3 ecosystem, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.
● When was the first time you ever participated in a hackathon?
When I first started learning about blockchain, a friend introduced me to the Smart India Hackathon (SIH). Intrigued by the idea of participating in a hackathon with a wide range of problem statements to solve, I decided to research more about it.
Smart India Hackathon(SIH) was my first prominent hackathon, and I participated as a novice front-end developer, eager to take a shot at it. I was part of a team that built an e-commerce app (Web2) with AI quality detection features, guided by our professor. Although we only used simple algorithms, we made it to the top 10 among the 70+ teams that participated in VIT. Although we did not win the final round, I learned a lot about choosing problem statements and the criteria that judges use to evaluate an idea and a project. It was a great learning experience that helped me be more strategic in my future projects.
● How was your BUIDL for Web3 hackathon experience? Tell us more about your project
Participating in the flagship hackathon organized by Lumos was an unforgettable experience for me. When Tanmay Tarte from Lumos informed us about the hackathon, my teammate and I immediately registered and decided to make the most of it.
We built a decentralized and transparent fundraising app on the Polygon network (Polygon track). An Uber for DeFi — ‘Nomis’ is a DeFi lending aggregator that smartly connects borrowers with DeFi protocols offering custom loan terms based on borrowers’ on-chain credit scores. That empowers donors to vote and analyze the usage of funds raised. Donors also have the power to halt and freeze funds for investigation if the voting goes against the raiser, a feature handled by a smart contract.
I still remember the adrenaline rush when we found a significant bug in the smart contract at 6 pm on the deadline day. We worked on it at the very last minute to fix and deploy it. It was an intense and unforgettable experience.
And not just that! My teammate and I were among the 33 winning teams from the BUIDL for the Web3 hack.
● You’re a board member at a DAO. What is your role in the operations of the DAO?
As a board member of the DAO, founded by my senior batch students, I have the opportunity to play a vital role in shaping the organization’s direction. My responsibilities include brainstorming new ideas, making proposals within the DAO, managing teams, and outreach to companies to conduct events on campus.
While the DAO operates on a decentralized model, I am dedicated to connecting the community with management and the industry to provide a seamless learning and management experience for all members. It’s an exciting opportunity to be a part of a community driving innovation and progress in the Web3 ecosystem.
● How did you balance building your Web3 knowledge and pursuing your education?
I am incredibly grateful for the flexibility that my university’s FFCS(Fully flexible credit system) policy provides. It allows me to create my own timetable and work at my own pace. As a last-minute but focused hustler in academics, I keep track of all core topics covered and jot down entire modules on a single sheet of paper, making it easy to review for exams quickly.
During my free time, I take advantage of the libraries and open amphitheatre spots on campus to work on short projects. This helps me work continuously on my development skills by conducting research. In addition, the hunger to create cool and impressive things and share them on social media drives me to do more and more. It’s a great way to stay motivated and keep pushing my limits.
Embark on a thrilling adventure with a developer’s journey, where the path is lined with challenges and victories. Fueled by a burning passion for innovation and a love for solving complex puzzles, these tech wizards forge ahead. Sabari’s story is just one example of what’s possible when you dare to dream big and chase your passion for Web3. Don’t let anything stand in your way, for determination and grit are the keys to unlocking your full potential. Are you ready to join the ranks of Web3 developers? Sign up with us today and let the world see what you’re made of! Your journey to Web3 stardom starts now.
That said, if you are interested in a career in Web3 development, please join our Discord server below to understand what our Metaverse has to offer.
