A bear market, counterintuitive as it sounds, is a golden time to build and ramp up your crypto startup traction. But did you ever toy with the idea of applying to a web3 accelerator with your crypto brainchild?
I did.
Let me tell you, navigating through the dense jungle of web3 acceleration programs is a beast of a task. It's like trying to find a unicorn in a herd of donkeys.
You've got plenty of shady players masquerading as accelerators, luring in web3 startups, promising the world, but delivering zilch in terms of real value and "accelerated" growth (I spilled the beans on one such scandal in my recent post about the Newchip Accelerator Collapse).
So, I'm here, ready to drop some knowledge bombs. I've rounded up the top five startup accelerators and incubators that are slaying it in the exhilarating world of Web3 and crypto. This intel, straight from the horse's mouth, is based on my painstaking research and raw, unfiltered feedback from fellow crypto visionaries.
The programs I've uncovered below are designed to laser-target the distinct needs of startups in the web3 and crypto sphere, offering tangible value, actionable insights, invaluable connections, resources, and support. Hope this is the fuel you need to skyrocket your startup's growth and significantly beef up your odds of making it big in the ever-evolving, fast-paced world of Web3.
My own selection criteria for web3 acceleration programs:
1. Access to Capital:
The accelerators I've highlighted recognize that Web3 startups need more than just a pat on the back - they need the greenbacks to grow. They boast robust networks of investors who are stoked about the Web3 and crypto world, seriously upping your chances of scoring that essential funding.
2. Startup Ecosystem:
Joining these acceleration programs is like teleporting into a bustling hive of founders who are as hyped about Web3 and crypto as you are. This charged-up environment is a hotbed for collaboration, idea-swapping, and innovation that can turbocharge your entrepreneurial trajectory.
3. Personal Network Expansion:
Being a member of a Web3-centric accelerator or incubator is akin to getting the golden ticket to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory - but with a network of mentors, fellow founders, blockchain protocols, investors, and industry experts steeped in the Web3 and crypto space. These connections are your compass, guiding you toward valuable insights, advice, and potential long-term partnerships.
4. Entrepreneurs & Buidlers as Mentors:
These programs are your ticket to a masterclass with seasoned entrepreneurs who've survived the Web3 and crypto battlefield. Their first-hand expertise is your roadmap, helping you conquer the unique challenges of this industry and catapult your startup's growth.
5. Wisdom from the Pioneers:
By learning from mentors and experts who've blazed a trail in Web3 and crypto, you can avoid the school of hard knocks. You'll benefit from their wisdom, make informed decisions, save precious time and resources, and level up your chances of hitting your startup's targets faster.
6. Founders' Feedback:
Don’t just take my word for it - listen to the real deal. I've gathered raw, uncensored feedback from founders who've been in your shoes. Hear about their experiences, their triumphs, and their facepalm moments.
The 5 Web3 Accelerators That Check All the Boxes
InnMind Web3 Accelerator
Meet InnMind, the matching platform for Web 3.0 startups and venture capitalists (you can think of it as the Tinder for Web3 startups looking for their perfect venture capital match). This platform has been playing cupid for some years already, matching early-stage startups with the right investors and facilitating VC funding like a boss. With a solid track record of sealing deals for early-stage startups, InnMind has solidified its rep as a go-to support center for web3 founders hungry for capital, partnerships, and traction.
InnMind's Web3 Accelerator is a 12-week online boot camp designed for go-getting founders crafting decentralized web and crypto finance solutions. It's all about prepping you to level up for funding and going big on the global stage.
Over this turbo-charged quarter, you’ll get:
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One-on-one sessions with legit Web3 VC Investors
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Pitching throwdowns with Top-Tier VCs
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Group masterclasses and think tanks with fellow Web3 founders
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Weekly personal chit-chats with mentors and warm intros with partners
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A crash course in VC fundraising & IDO prep
This program is like your personal Avengers squad - a diverse team of Web3 experts (from crypto exchanges & IDO launchpads to market-makers & tokenomics advisors, blockchain protocols & lawyers) geared up to supercharge your tokenomics, biz-dev, marketing, and market-making strategies.
Pros:
- Rubbing elbows with real VCs from day one
- Extensive networking & biz-dev backing
- Keeps its paws off your equity
Cons:
- Still a newbie (launched in 2022 with 2 cohorts per year)
- Limited seats (you'll need to fight to get in)
Mesh
Mesh is your one-stop incubator and venture production studio that's all about crafting and scaling blockchain-based software goodies. Backed by the powerhouse ConsenSys Labs, Mesh is on a mission to build and scale the next big things in blockchain.
They've got a trio of programs crafted for startups:
- Incubation Program: Think of this as the maternity ward for early-stage startups, offering all the love and resources needed to get your blockchain baby off the ground.
- Acceleration Program: This is your adrenaline shot if you're a startup that's already got some skin in the game and you're hungry to rapidly scale your blockchain dreams.
- Grant Program: Mesh runs this Santa Claus-style program to shower promising blockchain startups and projects with funding gifts. Selected startups get a sweet capital injection to further pimp out their products and solutions.
Their aim is to turn blockchain startups into rockstars, dishing out the necessary resources, know-how, and funding opportunities to kick their growth and success into overdrive.
Pros:
- Three tailor-made programs to suit every startup stage
- A hall of fame boasting distinguished alumni
- They keep their mitts off your equity
Cons:
- Selection system as clear as mud
- Full program details are on a need-to-know basis (and apparently, we don't need to know)
MVST:MG
MVST:MG is an early-stage tech investment fund and a capital provider that's kinda like a superhero angel investor. They've got a soft spot for bleeding-edge tech and industry-defining innovations across a spectrum of sectors. Besides dishing out the dough, they also offer a buffet of support services to help startups keep their head above water in these turbulent fields.
Their 4-month program is like a cocktail of must-haves to speed up the journey from product inception to market launch. This includes a golden ticket to capital, guru-level guidance, a dedicated workspace for rubbing shoulders with entrepreneurs, tech support, and a ticket to marketing platforms that boast millions of global users.
Pros:
- Access to expert mentorship
- They're also an early-stage investment fund, so your chances of getting funded are higher
Cons:
- The 4-month program might feel like a time-consuming marathon
- Not just for Web3 startups, so it could be less relevant for certain niche startups
- The worst part is the requirement to pack up and relocate
Seed Club
Imagine Seed Club as your go-to club for DAO creators and operators. Their mission? To supercharge community-owned networks and morph them into global powerhouses. How? By exploiting strategic partnerships and fostering a community of successful alumni, Seed Club acts as a connector and a knowledge-sharing platform to fuel growth and innovation in the wild world of web3.
Get your startup into the Consumer Crypto Accelerator and you're looking at funding of up to a cool $200k. Plus, you get to team up with a committed core team, a stellar cast of advisors, and a sprawling network. To qualify for a slice of the action in this accelerator, you need to be an internet-native organization (like DAOs, guilds, you get the gist) that uses tokens to motivate community members to join your cause.
The program culminates in a Demo Day, where you get to flaunt your innovative developments to a massive audience of thousands of investors, operators, and consumers.
Pros:
- Each project or company that gets in receives an investment of up to $200k
- Even if you're an idea-stage startup, you're welcome here
Cons:
- This club has a tight dress code - you need to have a consumer crypto product
- They expect you to be putting pedal to the metal on your project full-time
DeFi Alliance Accelerator
DeFi Alliance is the head honcho in the Web3 accelerator and founder community world. Their signature style? A first-week, face-to-face onboarding experience, followed by a 10-week fully remote program for global participants.
The program comes in a four-course meal: educational sessions, 1:1 mentorship, group mentorship, and a Demo Day. As a startup, you get to sink your teeth into founder-led sessions, custom-fit mentorship, weekly check-ins, and a chance to show off your shiny project to a network of potential investors and partners. Past cohorts have been bombarded with intro requests and have caught the eye of top-tier Web3 investors and clients.
Pros:
- Crystal-clear instructions and processes for running the program
- You get to be part of the cool kids club, a.k.a Alliance DAO
Cons:
- You'll need to pack your bags for a 1-week in-person onboarding
- Only a 1.1% acceptance rate (talk about exclusivity!)
Alright, pals, that's a wrap on our wild ride through Web3 accelerators and crypto incubators.
Now, I need to be real with you. The pool of these programs might be as small as the last bitcoin fraction, but each one is a heavyweight champion brimming with wisdom, resources, and all the right connections.
If you're a fellow founder, looking to make your mark in the Web3 universe or an aspiring crypto genius, these accelerators can be your rocket fuel. They've got the stuff that can catapult your startup from dreamland to headline news.
But hold your horses. This is where I throw in the "proceed with caution" sign. Choosing the right program can make or break your journey. Remember, even the shiniest of internet rankings (mine included) can sometimes miss the mark. Do your homework, trust your gut, and never settle.
Your startup deserves the best, so get out there, do your digging, and as we say in the crypto realm, HODL on tight!