First Prize at Aptos Code Collision — Unexpected Track

The Hackathon

In December 2024, I had the chance to participate in the Aptos Code Collision Hackathon, one of the most exciting and competitive events in the Aptos developer ecosystem.

Our team, ActionX, decided to enter the Unexpected Track — a category that encouraged bold ideas, wild creativity, and solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible.

The Challenge

At first, it felt daunting. Competing alongside some of the brightest builders in the space meant the pressure was high. We spent countless hours brainstorming, prototyping, and refining our idea. There were late nights of debugging, moments of doubt, and plenty of “why isn’t this working?” frustration.

But with every problem came a breakthrough — and slowly, ActionX began to take shape.

The Victory

When the results were announced, hearing “First Prize — Unexpected Track: ActionX” was surreal.

We had actually done it. Out of so many incredible teams and projects, ours stood out. The recognition came with a $35,000 award, issued by the Aptos Foundation. But more than the prize, it was the validation that creativity and persistence pay off.

Lessons Learned

This hackathon reminded me of two things:

1. Bold ideas matter. Sometimes it’s the unconventional approach that makes the biggest impact.
2. Resilience is key. Every bug, every dead end, and every sleepless night added up to that winning moment.

Gratitude

I’m deeply grateful to my teammates, mentors, and the Aptos Foundation for this unforgettable experience. Winning First Prize in the Unexpected Track wasn’t just about ActionX — it was a milestone in my journey as a builder.