Tell us about your academic and professional background. How did you become interested in blockchain and Web3?

My academic background started at the Faculty of Mathematics, where I studied Informatics. I got interested in Web3 back in 2020, when I began exploring different blockchain ecosystems and learning the fundamentals of blockchain technology.

My first hands-on technical experience came through attending a Web3 camp, where I had the opportunity to learn from some of the top experts in our region. That experience really solidified my interest in the space. After the camp, I was invited to join the team as a mentor, where I now help guide new participants and support their entry into the Web3 world.

Afterwards, I joined Alterscope, a company focused on analytics for decentralized exchanges (DEXs). There, I worked on integrating and capturing on-chain data, as well as developing scoring formulas for metrics like liquidity, health, and social indicators.

Following that, I joined MVP Workshop, where we built a developer tool for generating parachains on Polkadot, which deepened my understanding of blockchain infrastructure.

Later, I also participated in the Polkadot Blockchain Academy, which was a significant milestone in my Web3 journey, happy to discuss more about that!

In parallel with my work, I’ve participated in multiple hackathons and have won grants in several different blockchain ecosystems. These experiences have shaped my technical expertise and given me a broader perspective on the blockchain space.

What drew you specifically to the Polkadot Blockchain Academy? Was there something unique about the curriculum or community?

What definitely drew me to the Polkadot Blockchain Academy was the structure of the program and the level of technical expertise it offers. It’s one of the best programs in the Web3 space, bringing together around 80 participants from all over the world for three weeks, all with the same goal.

It’s the perfect opportunity to build lifelong friendships and make meaningful business connections in the industry.

On the technical side, you get to learn directly from the core experts who built the Polkadot ecosystem something that’s truly unique and invaluable.

How would you compare your expectations going in versus the actual experience of attending the Academy?

I already had some expectations because my brother attended the first-ever Polkadot Blockchain Academy in Cambridge and shared his experience with me. However, no matter how much you think you know, the actual experience is something completely different.

The knowledge you gain in those three weeks, and the connections you build, are truly beyond words nothing can compare to it.

Which technical topics or tools from the Academy were the most valuable to you, and why?

When applying to the Academy, you get to choose which track you want to participate in—either DApps or Protocol. My choice was Protocol because I already had experience building parachains on Polkadot, and I wanted to deepen that knowledge.

Also, the Protocol track focuses on the Rust programming language, which I believe is the future of blockchain development.

Throughout the Academy, I gained a deep understanding of how Polkadot chains are built and how they function from using FRAME to write custom pallets, to understanding the core logic that powers a blockchain.

It was a truly valuable experience that strengthened my technical skills and gave me a solid foundation for future blockchain projects.

Can you share a memory or insight from the Academy that particularly shaped your perspective on the Polkadot ecosystem?

What stood out to me the most was the community within the entire ecosystem. Starting with the other participants sharing experiences, learning from each other, forming friendships, and even enjoying a beer together while discussing what we had learned.

The mentors were also a huge support, not just there to answer technical questions, but to share their life experiences and help guide you in building your own path.

Throughout the Academy, I also came to understand that Polkadot isn’t just another blockchain ecosystem. It’s an ecosystem with a bold vision, focused on long-term technical progress and delivering innovations to Web3 that have never existed before rather than chasing short-term hype like memes, NFTs, or whatever is trending in the market.

This realization, combined with the community and mentorship, truly shaped my perspective on Polkadot and its potential.

How do you see yourself contributing to Polkadot or the broader Web3 space going forward?

I see my future contributions to Polkadot and the broader Web3 space going in two directions.

The first is through building open-source projects and new tools that the ecosystem needs contributing on the technical side to help push Web3 forward and support the growth of decentralization.

The second is through mentorship. I’m already active as a mentor at Web3 camps, but I also want to continue participating in other events to help bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3, showing people the opportunities and possibilities this space has to offer.

This combination of technical contribution and community building is how I plan to make a meaningful impact.

Are you collaborating with any Academy peers or working on something new you’d like to share?

I’m still in touch with many of my peers from the Academy, both personally and professionally. Two friends from Serbia and I attended the Academy together, and we collaborated on a couple of side projects during the program.

One of those was a hackathon project where we built a fair presale mechanism for tokens that eliminates bot interference and whale manipulation. We also worked on a Pitch Mentorship project, where we went through the full process of preparing and presenting a Web3 project pitch.

One of the projects I’d like to share is Web3 Camp in the Balkans an initiative we’re organizing for students and people who want to transition from Web2 into the Web3 world. It’s a community-driven event designed to bridge the gap and inspire the next generation of builders.

What message would you send to young developers in the region who are curious about joining Polkadot’s builder community?

My message to young developers in the region is simple, don’t hold back or hesitate to apply for the next Polkadot Blockchain Academy, especially with the next location being in Bali.

It doesn’t matter if you have previous experience with the Polkadot ecosystem or even deep knowledge of Web3 technologies in general. What truly matters is your curiosity, willingness to try something new, and eagerness to learn.

The three weeks you’ll invest in the Academy will give you an experience that lasts a lifetime—both in terms of technical knowledge and the connections you’ll make. It’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss!