# My journey into the Zero Knowledge Realm: From IT to Web3 ![](https://images2.imgbox.com/a4/71/dcLiCApD_o.png) ## Embracing Change In my previous career, I founded a software development company specializing in the Cisco ecosystem. Our company primarily focused on creating exceptional customer experiences through contact centers and omnichannel tools, such as chatbots. After years of successful operation, a US company acquired the company, providing me with an opportunity to exit and reevaluate my professional trajectory. Fascinated by the potential of web3 and crypto technologies, I decided to change my career path and dedicate my entire focus to the enigmatic realm of zero knowledge proofs (ZKP). This rapidly evolving field, filled with complex mathematics that I have always loved, presented a new challenge and an opportunity to contribute to the next generation of the digital world. As I took the plunge into the captivating world of Web3, I embarked on a journey to explore and master the intricate and transformative world of ZKP. ## Deep Dive into Learning My first endeavor was [Encode Club's Zero Knowledge Bootcamp](https://www.encode.club/zk-bootcamp) in September. Although the intricate subject matter often flew right over my head, my passion for ZKP remained undeterred, leading me to enroll for a second time in February. To further broaden my perspective, I signed up for [Porter Adams' online course on zero knowledge proofs](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvyxOd1rILerZHAs52Z36fyBBK1HHP8b). The course shed light on the broad spectrum of zero-knowledge applications and principles, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of the field. For any fellow ZKP enthusiast, the [Zero Knowledge Podcast](https://zeroknowledge.fm) is a must-listen. It stands out as the most comprehensive source of material on zero knowledge, with its insightful discussions on the latest trends and breakthroughs in the field. I have also been an avid follower of [Justin Thaler's book, "Proofs, Arguments and Zero Knowledge."](https://people.cs.georgetown.edu/jthaler/ProofsArgsAndZK.html) His weekly [Book Study Group on ZK Hack's Discord server](https://discord.com/channels/740913612368904192/902875064452677672), where I have been documenting and publishing the sessions on YouTube, has been particularly insightful. Parallel to these, I embarked on the [Zero Knowledge MOOC](https://zk-learning.org) journey in January, diligently following the weekly pre-recorded lectures delivered by top-level lecturers such as Shafi Goldwasser, Dan Boneh, and Justin Thaler. These sessions explored advanced mathematical concepts, making the entire endeavor both challenging and fulfilling. Alongside the lectures, I tackled the weekly quizzes designed to assess and deepen our understanding of the subject matter. These quizzes pushed me to engage with the content actively and provided an opportunity for practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired in the lectures. The [lab assignment](https://github.com/rdi-berkeley/zkp-mooc-lab) proved to be a formidable challenge, pushing my understanding and capabilities to the edge. Although I couldn't meet all the circuit constraints and had to forfeit the [homework assignment](https://zk-learning.org/assets/ZKP_HW.pdf), the experience was tremendously enlightening. The rigorous nature of the MOOC, combined with the academic excellence of the lecturers, enriched my comprehension of zero knowledge proofs and honed my skills for the practical applications that followed. ## From Theory to Practice As I delved deeper into the world of zero knowledge proofs, I found myself yearning to apply my newfound knowledge in real-world projects. I wanted to move beyond just reading and studying and create something tangible. The first significant step towards putting theory into practice was when my project, ["Cryptographic Proof of NFT Endorsements"](https://abiding-hose-286.notion.site/zkIgnite-Proposal-141042d6c8164e8dabd5dd1e1dde4db1), received funding from the [Mina Foundation's zkIgnite grant program](https://zkignite.minaprotocol.com/zkignite/zkignite-overview) last month. This invaluable support not only validated the potential of the project but also provided me with the resources to further develop and enhance my ZKP experience. We are deeply grateful to the Mina Foundation for recognizing our efforts and believing in our vision to push the boundaries of zero knowledge technology in the NFT space. My enthusiasm to put ZKP into practice also led me to participate in the [Zero Knowledge Hackathon](https://zk-hacking.org), particularly in the [Aleo](https://www.aleo.org) ZK Gaming track. Initially, I had an idea to create a ZKP version of the popular game Among Us. However, after partnering with my friend Alp Guneysel, he suggested to switch to the ancient Egyptian game of [Senet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senet). The game's partial obscurity and public domain status offered us the liberty to innovate with our own rules and avoid any potential copyright issues. Here's the link to our [submission video](https://youtu.be/MXmKy-fSyDo), our [project write-up](https://hackmd.io/@racampos/zenet) and [Github repo](https://github.com/ZenetGame). Upon being shortlisted as finalists, Alp and I seized the opportunity to attend the awards ceremony in person at UC Berkeley last Tuesday. The event provided us with the chance to meet our peers and renowned faculty members such as Professors Dan Boneh and Shafi Goldwasser. The icing on the cake was when we won the first prize for our category, a testament to our hard work and dedication. This journey has only just begun, and I am thrilled about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the world of zero knowledge proofs.