Join us in Berlin on December 9-11, as we partner with the German Council on Foreign Relations to bring together a global network of innovators ready to challenge the increasing fragmentation of our digital society. We invite participants from around the world to contribute their knowledge, experience and skill to counter the growing trend of digital isolation, where national boundaries and corporate platforms restrict open communication.
Our thematic focus is on decentralized protocols and technologies, wireless connectivity solutions and innovative approaches to bypassing censorship systems.
The Blockathon will feature a gamified shutdown environment for testing your tools and skills. We will also be launching the Breakout program – a competitive grants program for new solutions to the problems posed by network isolation. All in all, it will be a full, fulfilling and exciting three days together in Berlin!
Breakout program
eQualitie is launching a $250,000 seed funding round to support shutdown-resilient innovations in digital communications, including web layers, messaging, and file sharing. The Breakout Program seeks to financially (and technically) back new approaches and prototypes that enable anonymous, unrestricted, and secure communications—even in the absence of global connectivity. We are especially interested in open-source solutions that can integrate with third-party applications.
This program aims to revive academic research, reinvigorate sunset projects, and support bold yet practical initiatives that enhance communication within and across isolated networks. Shortlisted initiatives will be invited to trial and showcase their technologies at the Blockathon, where a jury will select those eligible for funding.