Origins

In June 2016, an early group of builders, archivists, policymakers, and journalists gathered for the first Decentralized Web Summit within the columns of the Internet Archive headquarters in San Francisco, home to one of the world’s largest digital libraries. Its founder, Brewster Kahle, issued a challenge to these early developers: let’s use decentralized technologies to “Lock the Web Open,” this time for good.

2016’s gathering was a call to the Dreamers to build a better Web.

2018’s Decentralized Web Summit – Global Visions / Working Code is a demonstration of how far we have come. With scores of prototypes and apps now built with decentralized protocols, it’s time to collaborate, communicate and engage the communities who need these tools the most.

The Challenge & Opportunity

Today, the Web we use is not private, secure, reliable or free from censorship. It lacks a memory, a way to preserve our digital record through time. By distributing data, processing and hosting across millions of computers worldwide with no centralized control, a new Decentralized Web has the potential to be open, empowering users around the globe to better control and protect their own personal data.

Building Momentum

We're seeing the Decentralized Web expanding every day. How can we harness that momentum to scale? What code is working and what’s still missing? Can we work together to identify and tackle the roadblock issues? Organized by the Internet Archive, this two-day Summit seeks to align the values of the Open Web with principles of decentralization. To encourage code that supports privacy, security, self-sovereign data and digital memory.

Who Should Attend?

Building a Decentralized Web will take Web architects, engineers, activists, artists, archivists and stakeholders from around the world. Together, we can create infrastructure and tools we can trust. At the Decentralized Web Summit, we invite diverse communities to learn from each other, identify use cases, and build a common understanding of what we mean by the “Decentralized Web.”

What Can I Expect?

We'll kick off on Tuesday night, July 31st at 6 PM with an Opening Party at the Internet Archive in San Francisco. Meet the top builders of decentralized tech from around the world at our Science Fair, where you can experience deep conversations and demonstrations with leaders of dozens of decentralized projects.

Then Wednesday-Thursday, August 1-2nd, 8 AM -6 PM we move to the historic San Francisco Mint, for a multi-track Summit with hands-on workshops, technical integrations, events exploring the law, policy and governance models that may impact the space, along with both humanitarian and artistic use cases for a new set of tools.

Still wanting more? On Friday, August 3 at 10 AM-5 PM, we'll open the doors of the Internet Archive where we invite you to join us for lunch and a tour. We'll have tables set up for informal collaborating, hacking, and just hanging out.

QUESTIONS? Write to Dwebsummit@archive.org.

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

The SF Mint lies at the heart of Downtown San Francisco at 5th and Mission Streets. It is walking distance from the Powell or Montgomery BART stations, the TransBay Terminal, and many different of bus lines. The Mission Street Garage is just across the street, but all-day parking there is $25+ so we encourage you to take public transporation in.

The Internet Archive is located at 300 Funston Avenue in San Francisco in the northwest corner of the city, not far from the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio. We offer bike racks for those who want to pedal in! The California and Geary Street buses will bring you within a block of the Archive. BART is a 20 minute ride/bike ride away.

How can I become a Sponsor of the event?

Please write to DWebSummit@archive.org with SPONSORSHIPS in the subject line. We will send you and email with the sponsorship packages.

How can I volunteer?

Decentralized Web Summit volunteers are asked to commit 5 hours of time in exchange for a heavily discounted ticket ($100 + fees). To apply to be a volunteer, please fill out the Decentralized Web Summit Volunteer Application. All applications are subject to approval. Once approved, we will follow up with your volunteer shift time, details, and a link to register.

What can I bring into the event?

We will be serving drinks, meals and snacks to those with nametags, but feel free to bring your own food if you'd like.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Write to DWebSummit@archive.org

Or Join the DWeb Slack by going to: https://decentralizedweb-slack-join.herokuapp.com/

What's the refund policy?

You can have a full refund if you cancel within 1 day of the event.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Yes or an electronic version using the Eventbrite app.

Can I update my registration information?

Yes.

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

Yes, but please let us know and change your registration information to the correct person.

Do you offer discounts if I cannot afford to attend on my own?

We don't want to turn anyone away due to lack of funds. To apply for a discount, please click the below link: Financial Hardship Discounted Ticket Application