Extending the interchain: The Fifth Cohort of the Interchain Developer Academy
The Interchain Foundation continues to invest in the ecosystem with another high-capacity cohort of its Interchain Stack training program
Applications are now open for the latest cohort of the Interchain Developer Academy, the intensive blockchain training program that is fully funded by the Interchain Foundation. Following the success of the expanded fourth cohort, Cohort Five will again host 300 participants: a mix of experienced web2 developers exploring the potential of switching tracks to blockchain technology, web3 devs eager to build with the Interchain Stack, and teams from core interchain contributors representing talent from the ecosystem itself.
Since the Academy launched in May 2022, 800 participants have been through the program. Developers have spanned the full range of direct experience, from those completely new to the interchain to those already working for core contributors to the ecosystem, and represent a highly diverse community of cultures and nationalities.
The Academy program
The Academy comprises 80 hours of curated content across a self-paced seven-week online program, developed and delivered by elearning experts from our education partner, B9Lab. Each participant receives hands-on guidance from a skilled support team that includes the program’s authors, and they contribute in turn to the collective knowledge and advice that is shared by cohort members on the Academy’s dedicated Discord channels.
The program covers the foundational principles of blockchain technology, provides a detailed exploration of the Interchain Stack and the ecosystem, and utilizes practical learning through a guided coding project to help solidify participants’ new insights and the techniques that implement them. At the end of the program, developers join a growing alumni community as they seek opportunities within the interchain, such as those listed on the B9Lab jobs board. For those who demand a little more of themselves, the Interchain Foundation also offers official certification to all participants who go on to pass a final exam.
Developer satisfaction is high
The Academy has a 95% approval rate from graduates of its four previous cohorts, with particular praise expressed for the practical training aspects and the guidance and support provided by the expert team.
As with previous graduates, the feedback from the most recent Cohort has been very positive:
“I would like to congratulate the team behind this because I’m impressed with the quality of the course. It’s magic, if you follow it step by step, you encounter problems, but you also have the tools to confront them, and you learn without even realizing it. I hope to use this knowledge wisely and represent the interchain well. Really, really impressive work!”
— Juan Carlos Frutos Hernández | Cohort 4 graduate
“I have been working in this field for more than 5 years (at KalpaTech validator) and I can say that the IDA helped me to understand the SDK and the IBC module in more depth. The Academy triggered me to search for an opportunity as a GO developer in this ecosystem. Overall, I highly recommend this academy.”
— Aurel Simion | Cohort 4 graduate
“Even before the Academy was finished it was already delivering great value. I participated in my first Code4rena auditing contest and took 3rd place with some nice prize money! The Academy was instrumental to help me quickly gain enough knowledge to know where and what to look for in a project within the interchain ecosystem.”
— Peppe Landolfi | Cohort 4 graduate
“It was absolutely amazing. I previously had theoretical knowledge and by far not so deep. Every time I hit a wall I was thinking that the solution must be somewhere inside the learning materials. It was a very rewarding feeling — especially because it challenged me far out of my previous comfort zone. Fantastic work.”
— Martin Schäffner | Cohort 4 graduate
Application process and program schedule
Applications are now open to join Cohort 5. This process begins with a screening test to evaluate each applicant’s knowledge of web2 software development concepts and their problem-solving skills. The screening test deadline is October 23rd and the main program will run from November 2nd to December 21st, 2023. After a two-week break, the Final Exam period will take place between January 4th and February 1st, 2024.
Visit academy.interchain.io to find out more about the application and screening process.
About B9Lab
B9Lab have trained over 17,000 people in more than 160 countries about multiple blockchain protocols, and have been tasked by the Interchain Foundation to run the Interchain Developer Academy. They are passionate about technology adoption, getting new developers into web3, and helping blockchain ecosystems to thrive.
Read here to learn more about B9Lab’s work with the Interchain Foundation.
