In the heart of San Francisco’s tech scene, two ambitious coders, Zsombor “Anthony” Jancso and Jordan Wick, embarked on a mission to transform the city through technology.
Having secured lucrative positions at renowned tech companies, they were driven by a desire to engage young tech workers in solving pressing civic issues such as homelessness, public safety, and urban cleanliness.
Their vision led to the creation of the Accelerate SF hackathon, held in November 2023, where they brought together the city’s top developers and influential civic leaders, including then-Mayor London Breed.
Despite the initial success and enthusiasm surrounding the event, Jancso and Wick soon became disillusioned with the cumbersome bureaucracy of local government.
After the hackathon, the pair shifted their focus, ultimately accepting positions at the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where their approach to using technology in government has taken a controversial turn.
While some see their work at DOGE as a continuation of their civic-minded intentions, many former supporters of Accelerate SF are disheartened by the direction they have taken.
Peter Hirshberg, a civic entrepreneur involved in the hackathon, expressed disappointment, likening Jancso and Wick’s trajectory to a narrative of good versus evil, stating, “You can come from the same genes and choose the dark side or the light side.”
Originally drawn to the tech boom in San Francisco, both Wick and Jancso had built strong credentials in the industry.
Wick, known for his prowess as a software engineer, had worked with notable companies such as Flexport and Waymo, while Jancso, a standout coder from Hungary, had begun his career at Palantir.
As they settled into their shared apartment in Hayes Valley, they grew increasingly concerned about San Francisco’s social challenges amid its technological prestige.
Their frustrations culminated in the idea of holding a hackathon to harness the skills of AI-savvy developers to address civic issues.
Contacts within the local government provided them with guidance, but their persistent attempts to engage often stretched boundaries, at times leading to discomfort with city officials.
The hackathon itself was a notable accomplishment, culminating in collaborative projects that tackled various urban challenges, demonstrating the potential of technology in civic matters.
Yet, the aftermath proved less fruitful as promised connections and follow-ups failed to materialize, leading to dissatisfaction among participants.
Gradually, the vision of Accelerate SF shifted, with Jancso and Wick seeking to influence government efficiency from within.
Frustrated with the pace of bureaucratic processes, Jancso’s ambitions began to evolve towards a desire for radical reform, culminating in the creation of Accelerate X, a startup focusing on technological solutions for government inefficiency.
His advocacy for a government efficiency commission aligned with political narratives pushed by figures like Donald Trump, which excited him about the potential for systemic change.
His recruitment drive for DOGE gained him mixed responses, but he found allies in Wick, who also embraced the mission of improving government function through technology.
However, allegations have been raised regarding Wick’s methods, including accusations of attempting to extract sensitive data from government systems, further clouding their reputations.
As Jancso focused on building AI agents intended to streamline federal processes, reactions from the tech community have varied.
Some view their shift to DOGE as necessary progress to counter bureaucratic inefficiencies, while others lament the loss of their original civic purpose.
Hirshberg’s critique encapsulates a broader concern that what began as an initiative to collaborate constructively with local government has devolved into a mission focused on disruption.
He remarked that the enthusiasm displayed in the hackathon has transformed into an aggressive stance towards government structures, declaring, “It’s enthusiasm without wisdom.”
While supporters maintain optimism about the potential benefits of Jancso and Wick’s endeavors at DOGE, the legacy of Accelerate SF looms large in discussions about their current activities.
As the landscape of government efficiency continues to evolve, the journey of these two coders reflects the complexities of ambition, innovation, and the challenges of navigating bureaucratic frameworks.
image source from：https://sfstandard.com/2025/06/02/doge-accelerate-city-hall-palantir-waymo-elon-musk/
