In the spring and summer of 2025, the blockchain world witnessed a groundbreaking spectacle: Crypto’s Got Talent (CGT) Season 1, a live pitch competition that redefined how Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) projects gain funding and fame. Powered by IoTeX, and Polygon, CGT flipped the traditional grant model into a transparent, community-driven, and electrifying showcase broadcast on X. Backed by heavyweights like Messari and Samsung Next, and amplified by Polygon’s AggLayer for seamless cross-chain DePIN integration, the season ran from March to July 2025, culminating in a grand finale at ETHCC in Cannes. With over 90 applications, 1 million+ views, and a 1M POL prize pool, CGT Season 1 wasn’t just a competition—it was a launchpad for real-world innovation.
The Show That Stole the Crypto Spotlight
Imagine Shark Tank meets Web3, but with live X Spaces, real-time community votes, and a global audience cheering for DePIN builders tackling everything from EV charging to AI compute. CGT Season 1 kicked off in March 2025 with a call for applications that drew over 90 teams worldwide, eager to pitch their DePIN visions. The season unfolded across multiple live episodes, hosted on X Spaces, where builders faced a panel of judges, including high profile DePIN founders, and industry experts like ScottFooMusic and Polygon’s own BigNillCollect, alongside DePIN gurus like depin_aaron and depin_jesus from the IoTeX team. Each 60–90-minute episode buzzed with raw pitches, spicy Q&A sessions, and community hype, racking up 40K+ live views per show and a cumulative 1M+ views with replays. By April, Phase 1 qualifiers like Derad Network and Jam Galaxy set the tone, showcasing DePIN’s potential to solve real problems. June’s semifinals narrowed the field to 11 standout projects, with Polygon’s AggLayer integration getting shoutouts for enabling cross-chain liquidity. The grand finale at ETHCC on July 3, 2025, was a crypto spectacle—complete with a giant check and a roaring crowd—where six winners claimed their share of 1M POL in grants and unlocked doors to ecosystem support.
Projects That Lit Up the Stage
CGT wasn’t just about the spotlight; it was about builders bringing DePIN to life. Over 24 projects pitched, spanning AI, EVs, logistics, and cloud infrastructure. The 11 semifinalists—like Nubila Network, DeCharge, and TraxaIO—earned 3K+ community votes and 10K–50K X impressions each, proving their concepts resonated. The six winners stole the show: ROVR_Network’s LiDAR DePIN for autonomous vehicles, GenpulseAI’s AI compute network, Axal’s stablecoin savings protocol (later securing a16z and CMT funding), DeCharge’s, Nubila, and Gargoyle’s drone detection system. These projects didn’t just win grants; they leveraged CGT’s platform for post-show wins—Axal launched a product in August 2025, while DeCharge_ expanded its network, and ROVR_Network’s LiDAR demo became an X sensation. Polygon’s role was pivotal, with judges praising how AggLayer’s cross-chain capabilities supercharged these projects’ scalability. Posts on X highlighted winners’ traction, with interviews in the “Life After CGT” series (August 2025) showing 2x–5x follower growth and real-world pilots.
Community Buzz That Broke the Internet
CGT wasn’t a one-way broadcast—it was a crypto party on X, with 15K+ engagements (likes, reposts, replies) across IoTeX’s posts. Fans dropped 3K+ comments, averaging 80–150 per episode post, with gems like, “This is Shark Tank for crypto—Polygon’s involvement elevates it!” and “DeCharge is the future of EVs!” The ETHCC finale recap alone scored 582 likes and 113 replies, while episode teasers (like the Phase 1 finale with 255 likes) fueled hype. Reposts hit 2K+, boosted by Polygon and Messari shares, and 500+ bookmarks showed fans saving posts for later. The community loved the transparency—3K+ votes shaped the semifinalist picks—and cheered for underdogs like Captur’s data capture pitch. Quotes on X called CGT “real builder energy,” with Polygon’s AggLayer integration earning nods for making DePIN cross-chain dreams a reality. The post-season buzz, especially the “Life After CGT” series, added 1K+ more engagements, with Axal’s launch video hitting 467 likes and stories of funding wins keeping the vibe alive.
Why CGT Season 1 Was a Game-Changer
CGT Season 1 proved DePIN isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a movement. By blending live pitches, community votes, and Polygon’s cross-chain tech, it turned 60+ applicants into a global showcase, with 1M+ views and a 1M POL prize pool fueling innovation. The transparent format outshined stuffy grant programs, giving builders like GenpulseAI and Nubila Network a stage to shine and secure partnerships. IoTeX’s co-founder Jing Sun called it “a global launchpad for builders,” and the X community agreed, with 15K+ engagements and thousands of fans hyping the DePIN revolution. Polygon’s AggLayer was the unsung hero, enabling projects to scale across chains and drawing praise from judges and fans alike. The season’s success set the stage for Season 2 (launched August 2025 with 0G Labs), cementing CGT as the place for DePIN builders to make waves.
Let’s Keep the Party Going
CGT Season 1 wasn’t just a win for the six grantees—it was a victory for the entire DePIN ecosystem. With 1M+ views, thousands of community votes, and a flood of X love, it showed how IoTeX and Polygon rewrote the rules for Web3 innovation. Season 2 of CGT is currently ongoing. Stay up to date on CGT’s official page.