SOVEREIGN ENGINEERING
Six weeks of high-bandwidth ideation, dialogue, and experimentation.
Build applications and services for a self-sovereign future.
Why Sovereign Engineering?
We love the internet—it is one of the most important inventions in human history and essential for a free, flourishing society. But parts of today's web are failing us. Bitcoin and Nostr point toward a healthier architecture: open, permissionless, and self-sovereign.
- ✦ Focus on value-aligned technologies
- ✦ Build systems in the spirit of Bitcoin
- ✦ Create the future of self-sovereign applications
- ✦ Escape the attention economy and parasitic web models
- ✦ Design for censorship resistance and permissionless access
- ✦ Build cool shit that actually gets shipped and used. No shitcoins.
What is Sovereign Engineering?
Sovereign Engineering is a 6-week program that brings together 21 participants in Madeira for in-person collaboration, ideation, and building.
- ✦ 6 weeks of intensive collaboration
- ✦ 21 participants from diverse backgrounds
- ✦ In-person program in beautiful Madeira
- ✦ High-bandwidth communication and idea exchange
- ✦ Focus on shipping real, usable applications
- ✦ Demo Day every Friday - show what you've built
How does it work?
The program is powered by five core pillars that create the conditions for meaningful collaboration and rapid prototyping.
- ✦ In-Person Intensity: Physical presence on Madeira creates deep focus
- ✦ The Weekly Loop: Show → Talk → Build rhythm that drives momentum
- ✦ The Walks: Moderate hikes for creative thought and free-flowing conversations
- ✦ Six Captains: Rotating leadership keeps the program organic, not top-down
- ✦ Friday Demo Days: Every participant demos working code every week
What Others Are Saying
Don't take our word for it. Here's what our fans and alumni have to say about Sovereign Engineering. Crypographically signed and broadcast on nostr, of course:
The past two months [at SEC-01] were probably two of the best months of my life and I'm not young anymore. [...] I met so many amazing people during that time and it was incredible to explore the beautiful Madeira island together, sharing wild ideas, helping each other's projects, discussing stuff, learning with each other, making new friendships, shipping the future.
balas
Alphaama
I'm surprised that I'm still here! (Uttered during the last week of SEC-04, after moving flights twice.)
Justin Moon
Zig Evangelist
Sovereign Engineering is the best place to focus on what you can do with the tech, but also pushing hard on the philosophical application of the Bitcoin+Lightning+Nostr+AI stack. Madeira island is like a paradise with one of the most advanced bitcoin economies I've ever seen. I highly recommend it, and I hope I can do another one soon.
Pedro
Anatomy of Bitcoin
Sovereign Engineering has proven to be a place where the foundations of the internet are being redefined.
Arjen
Tollgate
Yesterday I had the privilege of witnessing the demos of the first Sovereign Engineering cohort here in Madeira. Mind completely blown. Everyone should check out these projects. People have no idea how good Nostr is going to get.
miljan
Primal
The SEC-01 was the most exciting and bullish set of presentations at Bitcoin Atlantis. These people are building our future and will have an immense impact upon our world. I look forward to seeing was SEC-02 will build. Plus, Madeira is incredibly beautiful.
Derek Ross
Grow Nostr Initiative
I went to the first cohort of Sovereign Engineering last year and felt a profound sense of being in the right place at the right time with the right people. Bitcoin and nostr are not just protocols, they are a rallying point for people who know we can do better and want to contribute to something bigger than ourselves, and Sovereign Engineering is a catalyst for making that happen. More importantly than all that though, I made friends for life.
gsovereignty
Nostrovia
Sovereign Engineering is Bletchley Park ² A mind melding brain melting cornucopia of creative coding for humanity It’s all quite bonkers
Chiefmonkey
plebeian.market
Applications are now closed
Thank you for your interest in Sovereign Engineering. Applications for SEC-05 are now closed. Stay tuned for future opportunities to join our community of builders.