Building ETHKL24
in the perspective of Danny, ETHKL24 Lead.
Image: Sketches of the initial brainstorming for ETHKL24.
Imagine taking a blank canvas and painting not just an image but an entire experience—an event that brings people together, sparks ideas, and leaves a mark on an entire industry. What would it take to pull something like that off? This write-up is for anyone who’s ever wondered how the world’s most memorable events come to life, from entrepreneurs thinking about community building to creatives curious about the intersection of vision and execution.
In October 2024, ETHKL24 became Malaysia’s premiere blockchain event, attracting over 1,200 participants, 100 speakers, and 12 sponsors, with hackers from 62 countries. The hackathon alone received 495 applications, accepting 250 hackers who built 60 projects. These weren’t just numbers—they represented a movement, proof that Southeast Asia is thriving, with Malaysia stepping onto the global blockchain stage. But this wasn’t just about Ethereum or blockchain—
it was about enabling build.
It was the crucible, the web, the meeting place of ideators, builders, and inspiration. With Devcon heading to Southeast Asia in Bangkok, ETHKL24 was our moment to show the world that Malaysia wasn’t just a neighbor but a contender—a hub of innovation, creativity, and opportunity.
The Vision Beyond the Event
ETHKL24 was never just an event; it was a bridge. It aimed to position Malaysia as a pivotal player in Southeast Asia’s tech landscape, fostering meaningful connections and showcasing the strength of local builders. The dream? That the seeds planted at ETHKL24 would, a decade later, grow into thriving companies, serendipitous partnerships, and a flourishing ecosystem defining Malaysia’s future.
Image: Team brainstorming on venue staging & logistic positions in KLCC
The Why
I’ll be real—this started with frustration. Malaysia often gets overshadowed by its neighbors, like Thailand, Vietnam, or Singapore, when people talk about Southeast Asia’s potential. But I knew better. I’ve seen Malaysian builders—brilliant, scrappy, relentless—creating world-class work with tools that other countries take for granted. ETHKL24 was our way of standing up and saying, “We’re here. We’re building. And we’re ready.”
It wasn’t easy. Relationships were tested. My people skills got a crash course. I learned that what works for one person doesn’t fly with another. Every sentence, every pitch—words carried weight. Misstep once, and you could lose a sponsor, a partner, or a friend.
The final stretch? Brutal. A week before the event, I flew to Singapore for one last shot at securing sponsorships. “You’re strong. Push, to the absolute limit,” became my mantra. That trip was the turning point—we got the backing we needed to make it all work.
Southeast Asia in Context
Southeast Asia is booming—AI, blockchain, you name it. FDI is pouring in, and the region is proving it can stand strong, even in a shaky global economy. Malaysia, in particular, has a shot at something big, and ETHKL24 was part of that story. It wasn’t just a celebration of blockchain; it was proof that this region can do more than keep up—we can lead.
Execution
ETHKL24 wasn’t built; it was sculpted. The vision began as a hazy, almost unreachable idea. To make it real, I had to reverse-engineer every element, stripping away anything unnecessary. Planning became an exercise in design—breaking complexity into simplicity, like assembling a mosaic where every piece mattered.
Getting there was anything but linear. It was a maze of dead ends, pivots, and chaotic intersections. I imagined the event as mental snapshots—stages, rooms, and experiences—and asked, “What would make this moment unforgettable?” Chaos, when guided by focus, turned into clarity. Slowly, piece by piece, the impossible became inevitable.
Image: Ethereum Kuala Lumpur 2024
Programming & Content
The content was where ETHKL24 came to life. This was never meant to be another stale conference with the same old industry voices. It was about the builders—the ones creating, coding, and shaping the future of blockchain. Joonian Wong, Teck Yuan, and Vienna were instrumental here. Joonian, with his vast experience in event organizing and programming, brought a sharp sense of structure and efficiency to the process. His expertise in tools like Airtable turned complex workflows into manageable systems, making the impossible feel within reach. Teck Yuan understood the pulse of the grassroots community, shaping the lineup with topics that builders cared about deeply. Vienna added another dimension, focusing on often overlooked but crucial ideas—pop-up cities, regenerative philosophies, and the potential for Southeast Asia to lead beyond its reputation as a crypto hub.
Together, they curated sessions that resonated, sparking conversations that mattered and ensuring every builder had a chance to be heard.
But programming wasn’t just about speakers; it was about fostering real conversations. Eason Chai stepped in as the hackathon lead, bringing an incredible energy and focus to ensure the event wasn’t just theoretical but deeply practical. Hackers weren’t just attending—they were trying, pushing boundaries, failing fast, and celebrating small victories. ETHKL24 wasn’t just a stage; it was a workshop for experimentation and growth.
Great content alone doesn’t guarantee success. The event’s soul was its community, but its backbone was the team behind it. Building a team is like solving a puzzle, where every piece has to fit perfectly. Gabby and Richnish Raj were crucial parts of that backbone. Gabby led PR and media, shaping the narrative that resonated with audiences and gave ETHKL24 its voice in the wider world. Richnish Raj brought that story to life on social media, crafting engaging content that kept the community buzzing before, during, and long after the event. Together, they ensured ETHKL24 wasn’t just heard but truly felt.
Design
The visuals had to capture the essence of the event before anyone even walked through the doors. Key visuals and branding aren’t just decorative—they set the tone, create anticipation, and articulate the event’s feel and vibe in a single glance. I reached out to Jayee Lim, a friend whose artistic style was exactly what ETHKL24 needed. This couldn’t look like a typical tech event; it had to feel alive—fun, immersive, and brimming with creativity. Jayee’s hand-drawn, playful designs brought that vision to life, illustrating diversity, variability, and the dynamic spirit of the community. Le Jon took those elements and tied them together seamlessly, ensuring every visual detail aligned to form a cohesive and vibrant identity that spoke for the event before a single word was said.
Finance & Fundraising
Fundraising was a relentless trial of endurance. One hundred and forty-six calls, each one a door that slammed shut before it could open. Rejections piled like stones, heavy and unyielding, each one a reminder of how far there was to go. Twelve said yes—hard-won victories, but far from enough. A month out, with only 70% of the target secured, the pressure was suffocating. Vendors began calling, their invoices looming like shadows over every conversation. Numbers ran through my head at all hours—how much was left, how much was owed, how much more was needed.
Finance was my burden to carry, an unyielding weight that demanded I stay sharp and steady. Resilience wasn’t enough; it was about getting up after every fall, recalibrating, and pushing forward again. Each rejection was a silent teacher, each pitch a test of will. Through it all, I had to keep the team focused and morale high, even when doubt crept in. There were no breaks, no room for hesitation. Every pitch was another battle, every rejection a quiet reckoning. And yet, by sheer grit and relentless effort, there was enough—not just to make it happen, but to fulfill the vision exactly as it was meant to be.
I turned to a reverse income statement approach: start with the end goal and reverse-engineer it to the beginning of cashflow, something I learned in my startup days. Breaking it into months and revenue streams made the chaos feel controllable. Plans—and fallback plans—were mapped from A to Z. Even when things went sideways, there was a way forward. On brighter days, it felt like progress; on darker ones, it was survival.
The real frustration came with sponsors. Many will tell you they want to support local builders, but intentions often don’t align with objectives. Verbal promises like “We’ll sponsor next year” or even a casual “Yes, we’ll sponsor” mean nothing until the money is in the multisig. If there’s one thing I would do differently, it’s chasing. Go wide with leads but double down on follow-ups. It’s not about avoiding rejection; it’s about managing a manageable volume of relationships and ensuring no opportunity is lost in the shuffle.
Sponsors operate on their own timelines, often bogged down by internal decision-making that causes delays or even forgetfulness. Start early—six months is barely enough; try a year. But here’s the key: don’t let the relationship stay transactional. Treat them to a meal, talk about their dreams—remember, they’re people too. Many of them became more than sponsors; they became friends, collaborators, and allies in this vision. Of course, there were still the ghosts—the ones who promised but disappeared. I’ll admit, those still sting. Tsk.
Image: Excerpt from a note I wrote earlier this year titled, "Why am I in the blockchain space, why do I care?"
Through it all, I held onto the event’s purpose. ETHKL24 wasn’t for me, nor was it just for Ethereum. It was for the builders, the coders, the dreamers—the ones striving to create something meaningful. Every decision was made with them in mind. A great event doesn’t just impress; it inspires.
This particular event was worth it because there was an end goal—to bring the community together and remind them why we’re in this space. It wasn’t just about showcasing innovation; it was about reigniting the shared purpose that brought us here in the first place. ETHKL24 served as a reminder of the power of collaboration, the beauty of open-source ideas, and the potential for blockchain to create something greater than ourselves.
To the team and sponsors who made it possible—thank you for believing in the vision. Together, we didn’t just build ETHKL24; we built a foundation for what’s to come. Dream big, stay focused, and execute with intent. There was a vision—one that might not lead to the future we imagined, but to a future worth striving for.
Special Shoutout
A heartfelt thanks to Harith Kamarul, the OG founder of ETHKL, whose dedication and commitment have allowed the community to thrive since 2018. His voluntary efforts in organizing meetups and consistently bringing value have laid the foundation for what ETHKL is today. At ETHKL24, Harith contributed not just as a mentor but as a friend who kept my sanity in check during the most trying moments.
Special thanks to Chee, whose work in securing sponsors last year and the meaningful relationships he personally built as a hacker became invaluable this year. The connections and trust he fostered were instrumental in the relationships that ETHKL24 relied on to succeed.
A special thanks to Riely and Skylar from the Ethereum Foundation. Skylar, as the organizer of Devcon, brought invaluable advice and unwavering support to ETHKL24, despite his demanding schedule. Riely on the other hand, consistently championed our community, offering guidance and help in ways that extended far beyond expectations. Their commitment to nurturing builders and supporting aspiring communities like ours is a testament to the Foundation’s ethos. These meaningful relationships are often overlooked, but the Ethereum Foundation has shown time and again that they are there when it matters most.
Missed ETHKL24? Here's an aftermovie.