# Building on Zircuit A Hackathon Introduction I Jan Gorzny

- Speakers: Jan Gorzny
- Channel: [ETHGlobal](https://streameth.org/ethglobal)
- Date: 2025-10-09
- Duration: 21:21
- Topics: Zircuit, hackathon, ETH Global NYC, Layer 2, Ethereum, EVM compatible, zero knowledge, sequencer-level security, AI, blockchain, prizes, smart contracts, DeFi, gaming, block explorer, testnet, mainnet, faucets, app ideas, technical resources, feedback, iteration, integrations, oracles, user experience, innovation, project criteria, web3, security, OP stack, documentation, creativity, product-market fit, account abstraction, non-financial use cases
- Watch: https://streameth.org/watch/yt-uV2H7xaE6sY
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV2H7xaE6sY

## Description

Jan Gorzny, co-founder and technical lead at Zircuit, introduces Zircuit and its hackathon bounties at ETH Global NYC 2025. He outlines what makes a winning project: solving real problems, not overengineering, using blockchain and AI only when justified, and iterating based on feedback. Zircuit is a zero-knowledge, EVM-compatible Layer 2 rollup on Ethereum, featuring fast finality, lower costs, and unique sequencer-level AI security to prevent hacks. Jan details technical resources, including documentation, RPC endpoints, block explorer, and testnet faucets.

The hackathon offers two main prizes: best project deployed on Zircuit (requiring smart contracts on testnet or mainnet) and best app idea (no code required, just a compelling, well-thought-out concept). He encourages creativity, especially beyond DeFi, and highlights the importance of user experience and practical use cases. Jan answers questions about Zircuit’s features, integrations, and previous hackathon experiences, emphasizing openness to diverse applications, especially games and non-financial use cases.

00:00 Introduction  
00:25 Welcome to ETH Global NYC 2025 Hackathon  
00:39 Goals: Winning Prizes & Project Criteria  
00:58 What Makes a Great Project  
03:30 Avoiding Overengineering & Using Blockchain/A.I. Wisely  
05:02 Importance of Feedback & Iteration  
06:25 Why Build on Zircuit: Features & Security  
08:13 Technical Details: Getting Started on Zircuit  
09:43 Block Explorer & Network Access  
10:43 Testnet, Faucets, and Hacker Pack  
11:10 Prize Requirements & Submission Guidelines  
12:22 Prize Categories: Best Deployed Project & Best App Idea  
13:43 Best App Idea Prize Details  
15:22 What Makes a Compelling App Idea  
16:04 Q&A: Zircuit Features, DeFi Bias, and Use Cases  
18:03 Previous Hackathon Highlights  
19:00 Encouragement for Games & Non-DeFi Projects  
20:11 Integrations & Oracles  
21:01 Closing Remarks

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🇺🇸 *ETHGlobal New York*
This workshop is specifically for ETHGlobal New York, a 3-day hackathon held August 15-17, bringing together the most skilled web3 developers, designers and product builders from all around the globe for a weekend-long adventure to advance the Ethereum ecosystem! Watch the full ETHGlobal New York 2025 playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXzKMXK2aHh4Xze0ZeSWCSGsw25clPpvZ

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✅ *Follow Jan Gorzny*
X: https://x.com/jgorzny

✅ *Follow Zircuit*
X: https://x.com/ZircuitL2

✅ *Follow ETHGlobal*
X: https://x.com/ETHGlobal​
Warpcast: https://warpcast.com/ethglobal
Website: https://ethglobal.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ETHGlobal 

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_Are you interested in Ethereum development and entrepreneurship?_
👉 Sign up for the next ETHGlobal event: https://ethglobal.com/events
🎁 Get exclusive access and perks with ETHGlobal Plus! https://ethglobal.com/plus
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