Feb 7
v0 IRL Addis Ababa – My first event
Hosting one of the global v0 IRL events in Addis Ababa taught me what it really takes to run a builder-focused event — from execution and communication to community impact and unexpected challenges.
On February 7, I had the opportunity to host v0 IRL – Addis Ababa, part of the global Prompt to Production 2026 series that brought together over 5,000 builders across 60+ events in 28 countries. The goal was simple but powerful: help builders turn ideas into real, production-ready projects through fast execution, collaboration, and creativity.
Organizing events is harder than it looks
Before hosting this event, I honestly underestimated how much work goes into organizing something like this. As an attendee, you only see the surface — the talks, the energy, the final results.
But behind the scenes, it’s a completely different world. From coordinating logistics, managing timelines, handling unexpected issues, and making sure participants have a smooth experience, there’s always something happening. It gave me a new level of respect for every event organizer I’ve ever seen.
Communication and coordination matter more than anything
One of the biggest lessons I learned was how important clear communication is. Whether it was working with participants, understanding the flow of the event, or aligning with the broader v0 structure, everything depended on how well information was shared and understood.
Small miscommunication can easily scale into bigger issues in live events, so being clear, calm, and responsive became very important throughout the process.
Building a community is the real win
Beyond the projects and outcomes, the most valuable part was seeing builders come together in one space. People were not just building they were learning, helping each other, and sharing ideas.
It made me realize that the real impact of events like this is not just the final winners, but the connections and motivation people leave with.
Two winning projects from Addis Ababa
After community voting and review by the v0 team, two participants from the Addis Ababa event were selected as winners. This moment highlighted the strength of the local builder community and showed that talent from Ethiopia can compete on a global stage.
Final reflection
This experience taught me that organizing events is not just about execution - it’s about adaptability, patience, and problem-solving in real time.
Not everything goes as planned, and that’s okay. The most important part is learning how to adjust, support people, and keep things moving forward.
I’m grateful for the experience and excited to continue building more spaces where people can learn, create, and grow together.