ETHRome

An hackathon born from the Roman community

ETHRome is the event that, since 2023, has brought together developers, researchers, and founders of the Ethereum ecosystem in Rome. This is not a conference with a passive audience; it is an hackathon—a coding marathon where mixed teams form on-site and have just a few dozen hours to turn an idea into a working prototype. The organizers' philosophy is summed up by the slogan "by builders, for builders": those who participate build, and those who mentor have already built.

Behind the event is urbe.eth, the first Italian web3 community, which brings together over five hundred active members and hosts the "Urbe Talks" series and weekly meetings with crypto founders throughout the year. ETHRome is the moment this digital network materializes in a physical space, which is why the atmosphere remains informal despite the presence of international sponsors.

The Venue: Talent Garden Ostiense

ETHRome is hosted at the Talent Garden at Via Ostiense 92, in the Ostiense district—one of the most fascinating corners of the capital. A former industrial area now repurposed, it houses universities, coworking spaces, large-scale murals, and nightlife spots. It is a fitting location for the event's spirit, just a short distance from the Gazometro and the Mercato Testaccio, in a city—Rome, the capital of Lazio—that is rarely associated with technological innovation, which is exactly why the organizers chose to put it at the center.

How the three days unfold

The format is well-established: opening with the presentation of challenges proposed by sponsors, team formation, followed by a long phase of continuous development interrupted by technical workshops, mentorship sessions, and breaks. The event concludes with final presentations, where each group has a few minutes to showcase their prototype to a jury of sponsor representatives.

• 2026 Thematic Tracks: artificial intelligence, DeFi (decentralized finance), and privacy.
• Mentorship: expert developers and founders guide the teams throughout the weekend.
• Workshops: practical sessions on tools provided by sponsors.
• Side events: parallel gatherings organized by the community in the days before and after.
• Catering and craft beer from the community included for participants.

Previous editions

The 2025 edition, also hosted at the Talent Garden from October 17th to 19th, saw over 250 participants, 14 sponsors, and 65 projects presented, with a total prize pool distributed in thematic bounties. Supporters included major ecosystem names such as Base, Polkadot, 1inch, ENS, the Ethereum Foundation, Zama, and iExec. The 2023 and 2024 editions were also held in the autumn, helping establish ETHRome as one of the few Italian events recognized in the European Ethereum circuit.

Who it is for

Participation is reserved for those who can code—developers, product designers, researchers—and is application-based. Spots are limited by the venue's capacity, and selection prioritizes those with experience, though those new to web3 with solid programming foundations are encouraged to apply. It is not an event for the general public, but for a professional community that chooses Rome for the setting: the city, the food, and the nightlife.

Rome beyond the hackathon

Visitors from out of town will find the Ostiense district and nearby Testaccio to be some of the city's liveliest areas for dining and evening entertainment, while the historic center is just a few minutes away by metro. The organizers have always emphasized this aspect: ETHRome is not meant to be an event confined to a room, but an opportunity to introduce the capital to an international community that often only passes through as tourists.