Blockchain at Georgia Tech, also known as Blockchain @ GT, is a student-run organization at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Founded in the fall of 2021, the club is dedicated to fostering a community for students interested in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and the broader Web3 ecosystem. It provides educational resources, hands-on development opportunities, and networking events to connect students with the industry. The organization is a key student-led component of the wider Georgia Tech Blockchain university initiative, serving as its primary community and engagement arm. ^{[1] [2]}​

History

Blockchain at Georgia Tech was established in the fall of 2021 by a group of students at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The organization was created to serve as the central hub for students interested in Web3, with a mission to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for them to become future leaders in the industry. ^[1]​

A significant milestone for the club was the inaugural Web3 ATL Conference, which it organized and hosted in April 2023. The event brought together students, developers, researchers, and venture capitalists from across the Southeast, establishing the organization's role in cultivating a broader blockchain ecosystem in Atlanta. ^[3]​

Relationship with Georgia Tech Blockchain Initiative

The blockchain ecosystem at Georgia Tech consists of two distinct but interconnected entities: the student-run club and a formal university initiative. ^[1]​

Georgia Tech Blockchain (University Initiative)

The Georgia Tech Blockchain initiative is a formal, university-wide, interdisciplinary effort involving faculty and departments such as the College of Computing and the Scheller College of Business. Its primary mission is to establish Georgia Tech as a leader in blockchain education, academic research, and innovation. The initiative focuses on developing formal university curricula, leading faculty-driven research projects, and fostering institutional partnerships with industry. It serves as the academic counterpart to the student club, providing faculty support and a platform for in-depth research. ^{[1] [3]}​

Blockchain at Georgia Tech (Student Club)

The student club, Blockchain at Georgia Tech, is the primary student-focused organization for blockchain on campus. It operates as the community pillar of the broader university initiative. While the initiative concentrates on academic and faculty-led endeavors, the club focuses on extracurricular activities, including hands-on learning, student-led projects, and community building. The Georgia Tech Blockchain initiative formally recognizes and promotes the student club, noting a close working relationship between the two entities. ^{[1] [3]}​

Organizational Structure

Blockchain at Georgia Tech is managed by a student executive board and is organized into a committee structure to carry out its various functions. The club is officially registered as a student organization through the Georgia Tech CampusLabs portal. ^{[4] [2]}​

Leadership and Governance

The organization is led by an elected student executive board, which typically includes roles such as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and heads of various committees. These student leaders are responsible for the club's overall strategy, operations, and event execution. The club is also supported by a faculty advisor from the university; Dr. Tonjua D’Silva has been listed in this capacity. ^{[2] [1]}​

Committees

The club's work is divided among several specialized committees:

• Education: Responsible for designing and teaching the Crypto Fundamentals Course and other educational content.
• Research: Focuses on writing and publishing in-depth articles, guides, and analyses on developments within the crypto industry. These articles are published on the club's website.
• Projects (Buidlers): Manages the Buidlers Bootcamp and supports other student-led development projects.
• Events: Organizes all club events, including the speaker series, workshops, and larger conferences like Web3 ATL.
• Marketing: Manages the organization's branding, social media presence, and communications, including a biweekly newsletter.
• External: Handles outreach to external companies, secures sponsorships, and manages industry partnerships. ^{[2] [4]}

Membership

Membership is open to all undergraduate, graduate, international, and transfer students at Georgia Tech. The organization does not collect membership dues, making it accessible to all students. ^[4]​

The club offers two tiers of engagement:

• General Members: Students who attend general body meetings and educational events. The expected time commitment is 1-2 hours per week.
• Committee Members (Analysts): More experienced students who join specific committees to work on projects and in-depth research. This role requires a higher time commitment of 3-5 hours per week and provides access to premium industry data sources for research. ^[4]

Activities and Programs

The organization's activities are structured around three main pillars: education, project development, and community events. ^[2]​

Educational Initiatives

The club offers a range of educational programs for students with varying levels of experience.

• Crypto Fundamentals Course: An 8-week introductory course designed and taught by club members for students new to blockchain. The curriculum covers foundational topics, including cryptocurrency basics, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The course is typically held on Tuesday evenings, and course materials are made publicly available on the club's website. ^{[2] [4]}
• Workshops: The club regularly hosts technical and non-technical workshops on specific topics. Past sessions have included "Solidity for Beginners," "DeFi Fundamentals," and guides on setting up crypto wallets. ^[1]
• Polkadot & Kusama Development Course: A specialized educational program was offered to teach development within the Polkadot ecosystem. ^[3]
• Publications: The Research Committee publishes educational articles and guides, such as "What is a Rollup? A Beginners Guide" and an analysis of the Ribbon Finance protocol. In addition, the club distributes a biweekly student-run newsletter featuring deep-dive articles written by student analysts. ^{[2] [4]}

Project Development

The club provides hands-on opportunities for students to apply their skills by building projects.

• Buidlers Bootcamp: This is a 10-week, cohort-based developer program aimed at aspiring Web3 developers. Participants are guided through the process of building a full-stack decentralized application (dApp). The bootcamp culminates in a project showcase where students present the dApps they have built. ^[2]
• Project Teams: Outside of the bootcamp, the club organizes students into project teams to work on practical applications. These teams have engaged in activities such as DeFi research and NFT development. ^[3]

Community and Events

A core part of the club's mission is to build a strong community on campus and connect students with the professional Web3 world.

• General Body Meetings: The club holds weekly in-person meetings, typically on Tuesdays from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. These meetings serve as a venue for members to present their research, learn about club activities, and network. ^[4]
• Speaker Series: The organization frequently hosts industry professionals, founders, and researchers from prominent blockchain companies for talks and Q&A sessions, providing students with career insights and networking opportunities. ^{[4] [2]}
• Web3 ATL Conference: This is the club's flagship annual conference. Its goal is to connect the student community with the broader Atlanta and Southeastern U.S. Web3 ecosystem of developers, companies, and investors. ^[3]
• Career Opportunities: The club actively facilitates connections between members and companies in the Web3 industry, sharing internship and full-time job opportunities through its network. ^[1]

Partnerships and Sponsorships

Blockchain at Georgia Tech collaborates with a variety of companies and foundations within the blockchain industry. These partnerships provide financial sponsorship for events, educational materials, and direct engagement with students for recruitment and project support. Notable partners and sponsors have included:

• Solana Foundation
• Polygon
• Avalanche
• NEAR Protocol
• Polkadot
• Coinbase
• Various venture capital firms ^{[2] [3]}

Online Presence and Communication

The organization uses several digital platforms for internal and external communication.

• Official Website: https://www.blockchain-gt.io/
• University Portal: https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/blockchain-at-gt
• Social Media: The club maintains an active presence on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle Blockchain_GT, as well as on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Farcaster.
• Internal Communication: Major announcements are disseminated to members through a GroupMe channel, while a Discord server is used for casual conversation, Q&A, and community building.
• Contact: The organization can be reached via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. ^{[4] [1] [2]}