Thinking about diving into that $1M hackathon? It's the kind of opportunity worth considering if you're serious about building in Web3. But here's the real question—what does it actually take to launch a startup in this space? Beyond the funding and the hype, you need solid fundamentals: a clear problem you're solving, a team that gets it, technical chops (or people who have them), and enough stamina to push through the brutal early phase. The hackathon could be your proving ground to validate ideas and attract collaborators. Whether it's the right move depends on where you are in your journey.