The Graph recently hosted its first-ever GRC-20 Hackathon, a five-week event that marked an important milestone in the world of decentralized knowledge. Developers from around the globe participated to contribute to a growing ecosystem of open-source knowledge indexed directly onchain designed especially for next-generation web3 and AI applications.
What is GRC-20?
GRC-20 is The Graph’s innovative standard for building decentralized, composable knowledge graphs. Inspired by the role ERC-20 plays in token creation, GRC-20 offers a structured approach for storing and sharing knowledge across different platforms and communities. With features like Spaces, Entities, and Relations, it empowers developers to create interconnected and adaptable datasets—free from centralized servers or rigid database rules.
Introducing Geo Genesis: A Community-Governed Knowledge Platform
One of the major highlights of the hackathon was the debut of Geo Genesis, a decentralized application built by Geo—a core contributor to The Graph. Powered by Aragon OSx, Geo Genesis enables communities to create and govern “Spaces” of public knowledge. This platform stands out for offering a structured and self-governed way to organize information across the decentralized web, giving users more transparency and control.
The Growing Need for Knowledge Graphs in Web3 and AI
As the lines between artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies continue to blur, knowledge graphs are emerging as essential tools. They allow applications to understand how people, places, and ideas are interconnected. The integration of GRC-20 into the web3 domain opens up new opportunities for decentralized apps to tap into public datasets with clarity and sovereignty.
Hackathon Highlights
Taking place from February 3 to March 9, 2025, the GRC-20 Hackathon centered around three key sectors: Education, Jobs, and Regions. Participants contributed open-source data flows that would fuel future projects within Geo Genesis. The winning entry, “Mapping Law & Courts” by Preston Mantel, successfully visualized complex legal systems through structured data, enhancing public access and insight into how judicial systems function.
From Hackathon Winner to Team Member
Preston Mantel’s project not only won the top spot but also earned him a place on the Geo team. His innovative approach demonstrated how decentralized knowledge can be applied to solve real-world challenges, especially within complex domains like law.
Moving Forward
Building on the hackathon’s success, The Graph is continuing to grow its ecosystem of decentralized knowledge, with Geo Genesis at the forefront. As the platform evolves, it aims to support and democratize data in areas ranging from legal systems to social organization. The event’s outcome highlights the transformative potential of decentralized knowledge graphs in shaping the future of the internet.
