Friends With Benefits (FWB) is one of the best-known Web3 communities. To help jumpstart this innovation, they’re launching a new cohort-based building program for innovators in the space. Different from typical hackathons with short-term focuses, FWB’s vision is to hatch enduring projects and expand Web3 beyond niche financial instruments. The program’s inaugural cohort will explore building agent-based products. We hope you get your application in before our deadline of April 28th!
FWB's new initiative seeks to bundle up the industry's tooling infrastructure for builders, providing them with the resources and support needed to create impactful products. This FWB approach is what distinguishes FWB from traditional hackathons, which usually reward quick-hitting projects and cash prizes.
"The general model of the hackathon doesn’t work. You get eight hours at a conference, 48 hours to build it and then get the prize money. That only speaks to a certain type of builder who can work intensively over 48 hours," - Bresnitz
The FWB program will be operational in Q1, Q2, and Q4. Quarter three focuses on FWB’s annual FEST meetup in California. This annual FEST gathering offers builders a stage to share and grow their work. It provides them the opportunity to find community alongside other local residents.
FWB has collaborated with tech giants such as AWS, Alchemy, ThirdWeb, QuickNode, Akave, Filecoin, and Base. Through these privately funded partnerships, our builders will gain access to the tools, infrastructure and mentorship opportunities needed to hone their craft. Participants will have exclusive access to the incredible founders at our partner accelerators through Discord and IRL meetups, creating a thriving network of innovators.
As CEO Greg Bresnitz is quick to point out, FWB is not a hackathon. In this context, the reward for contributing to FWB is the product that’s built through that collaboration—no cash prize or other temporal bounty needed. FWB is currently on a mission to incubate products such as Blackbird, a restaurant loyalty app. This exemplifies their incredible dedication to utilizing Web3 technology for real-world applications.
"Someone could come in and build the 700th DeFi platform and we’re not going to stop them. They totally can. That’s great. But, for me, personally, what I believe the industry needs is to bundle all this up into something that feels totally normal," - Bresnitz
Today, the program has already generated immense demand, with FWB attracting 140 applications for its maiden cohort with World. In all of our first cohort builders have produced 40 new mini-apps for FWB/World, demonstrating the infinite possibility for FWB/World and innovation within this community.
"This is a good inflection point for the industry. We have the opportunity to encourage a new wave of builders to the space. Making that vision and the pie bigger is incredibly important," - Bresnitz
FWB’s mission is to increase the possibilities of Web3 beyond niche financial instruments. FWB is all about AI agents and provides deep, all-around support to builders. This strategy accelerates Web3 technology into the mainstream and encourages the development of more user-friendly applications that address pain points.
"We’ve done really well in the physical world. Now we’re focused on the revitalization of the online world and bringing that value back." - Bresnitz
