Day Zero at the Cardano Summit 2025: A Focus on Builders and Innovation

The Cardano Summit 2025 introduces a brand-new chapter and event dedicated to the builders, dreamers, and developers of blockchain: Day Zero.

The contributions and innovations, but also the sheer dedication of the Cardano community and all blockchain developers, power the future of the technology. The Cardano Foundation therefore welcomes the opportunity to host a major event celebrating and championing those who make blockchain progress possible.

A hub in Berlin

Each year, the Cardano Summit sets the agenda for real-world blockchain adoption.

Day Zero marks the official opening of the Cardano Summit 2025 and sets the stage for the two days of enterprise-focused dialogue that follow at the Gasometer Schöneberg on 12–13 November.

Before going deep on enterprise architecture, regulatory clarity, and the tooling that accelerates delivery during Day 1 and Day 2 of the Summit, Day Zero will showcase the builders, innovators, and community members whose work forms the foundation of blockchain, including the Cardano blockchain’s growth.

Free to attend, and designed as a space where ideas can be tested, shared, and connected to the broader conversations shaping blockchain’s future, Day Zero will happen on 11 November 2025 at the w3.hub in Berlin and already welcomes registrations.

Governance, dialogue, and exchange

Day Zero begins with a dedicated governance session, offering the community a space to contribute to Cardano’s evolving framework and priorities. Later in the day, lightning talks and live demos will showcase new projects and applications being developed across the ecosystem, leading into the pitch competition and evening networking reception.

Together, these sessions provide a structured but open forum for collaboration, connecting developers, entrepreneurs, and community members in an environment designed for learning, contribution, and exchange.

Layer Up Hackathon

Key to the program of Day Zero, the Layer Up hackathon brings developers together to turn their boldest ideas into working demonstrations. Running online from 3 to 10 November, the hackathon will have dedicated support from top engineers across the Cardano ecosystem and provide a variety of supporting sessions and resources to make sure participants have the best conditions to create innovation on Cardano.

Teams will build across two tracks—a free open track and a challenge to create AI agents on Cardano—all culminating in Berlin on 11 November for a final sprint and showcase presentations. Participants can decide to present online, or come to Berlin to enjoy in-person coding as well as networking with Cardano experts.

Winning teams will receive prizes and post-Summit support to help accelerate their ideas into adoption.

Battle of the Builders

Alongside the hackathon, Day Zero also hosts the return of the Battle of the Builders, the Cardano Summit’s pitch competition for early-stage startups. Here, the top 10 projects, from pre-seed to early-stage, will present their working MVPs and go-to-market strategies live in Berlin.

The competition gives founders a rare platform: direct visibility to investors, partners, and decision-makers across the Cardano ecosystem.

Projects must be Cardano-native or credibly intending to migrate or interoperate, ensuring the ideas pitched on stage link tightly to Cardano’s growth.

Applications are open now, with details available on the Cardano Summit website.

Building Bridges into the Summit

The Cardano Summit forms a deliberate bridge between grassroots innovation and enterprise-scale adoption. By opening with a day dedicated to builders and community, the Summit shows how experimentation, governance, and collaboration remain essential precursors to the regulatory and enterprise discussions that follow.

Day Zero celebrates the creativity of the Cardano ecosystem while encouraging new, inspiring ideas. The type of ideas that can move from prototype to production, and from community to global impact.

Come build with us.

Terms and conditions apply. Please consult the Summit website for more information on competition rules.