Blockchain accelerators and incubators play a vital role in supporting the growth and success of early stage startups in the rapidly evolving world of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. These programs provide entrepreneurs with the necessary funding, mentorship, resources, and network access to help them build and scale innovative solutions. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best blockchain accelerators and incubators — each with a unique focus and approach — to help you navigate this exciting landscape.
Top Accelerators and Incubators for Blockchain Startups
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have revolutionized the way we think about money, assets, and trust in the digital age. As this industry continues to grow and mature, blockchain accelerators and incubators play a crucial role in supporting and nurturing early stage startups in this space.
1. a16z crypto’s CSX Accelerator
- Location: Varies
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: $500,000
The cryptocurrency-focused arm of Andreessen Horowitz, a16z crypto, launched the CSX accelerator program to support early stage blockchain and cryptocurrency projects. The 10-week program offers participants a $500,000 investment from a16z crypto, along with access to a network of mentors, investors, and industry experts, leveraging the firm’s deep expertise in blockchain technology, cryptoeconomics, and regulatory landscapes to provide tailored guidance and help shape the future of the decentralized economy. The program ends with a Demo Day wherein participants can pitch their startup to investors.
2. Alliance
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: $350,000
Alliance’s startup accelerator is an early stage startup accelerator focused on supporting projects in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. The accelerator offers a primarily virtual, four-week program that provides selected startups with investment, mentorship, lectures, and access to a community platform of founder-only forums and a video library.
The program ends with a Demo Day in front of leading crypto angel investors and venture capital (VC) firms. Alliance aims to help founders refine their products, scale their businesses, and navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the blockchain industry. By leveraging its expertise and connections, Alliance supports the growth and success of innovative blockchain and cryptocurrency startups.
3. 500 Global
- Location: Palo Alto, California
- Cost of Program: $37,500
- Funding Amount: $150,000
500 Global, a VC firm and startup accelerator, launched its accelerator program to support early stage companies in tech sectors. The program offers selected startups an investment of up to $150,000 along with access to 500 Global’s extensive network of mentors, investors, and industry experts. Participating startups benefit from a four-month intensive program that includes workshops, mentorship sessions, and hands-on support to help them refine their products, grow their user base, and secure additional funding.
4. Y Combinator
- Location: Mountain View, California
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: $500,000
Y Combinator (YC) is a renowned startup accelerator that’s supported early stage companies since 2005. While YC is not exclusively focused on blockchain startups, it has increasingly invested in and supported projects in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. YC offers selected startups a seed investment of $500,000 and access to its extensive network of founders, investors, and industry experts.
The accelerator runs two batches each year, providing participants with a three-month intensive program that includes weekly dinners, office hours with YC partners, and demo days where startups can present to a large audience of investors. YC’s blockchain portfolio includes notable projects such as Coinbase, CoinTracker, and OpenSea, among others.
5. Techstars
- Location: Remote
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: Up to $120,000
Techstars, a global startup accelerator and VC firm, offers a dedicated accelerator program focused on supporting entrepreneurs who are building the infrastructure and applications for Web3 — the decentralized iteration of the internet. The program invests in and accelerates founders working on solutions that enable the onboarding and engagement of the first billion users of Web3 as well as those developing the underlying protocols that will drive the growth of tokenized economies. The accelerator supports startups working on various aspects of Web3, including application layers, tooling, infrastructure, interoperability, security, and identity, among others.
6. Alchemist Accelerator
- Location: Remote
- Cost of Program: $25,000
- Funding Amount: Cost of program
The Alchemist Accelerator is a program geared toward early stage startups focused on enterprise with deeply technical teams. The program offers a structured path to sales and fundraising through its extensive mentor and investor networks. While the program is crafted for an optimal virtual experience, Alchemist does have physical locations in several cities (e.g., Memphis, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Munich).
7. TxB Incubator
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: Varies
Texas Blockchain’s TxB Incubator offers a sustainable accelerator program that sources aspiring entrepreneurs from the University of Texas at Austin and the wider Austin community as well as top-tier student talent from Texas Blockchain and UT Austin. The program provides startups with a monetary grant as well as opportunities for additional funding, mentorship, and access to an extensive network of talent to support their company.
8. Expert Dojo
- Location: Santa Monica, California
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: $50,000
Expert Dojo is a prominent startup accelerator based in Santa Monica, California, that focuses on helping early stage companies grow and succeed. Founded in 2014, Expert Dojo has supported more than 100 startups across various industries, including blockchain technology.
The accelerator offers a comprehensive program that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Expert Dojo’s network of expert mentors, advisors, and investors work closely with the startups to refine their strategies, expand their networks, and secure further funding.
9. Stanford Blockchain Accelerator
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: None
The Stanford Blockchain Accelerator is a mostly virtual program run and managed by a Stanford Alumni Board as well as current students of the university. The program supports early stage blockchain projects by providing access to Stanford’s research expertise, industry connections, and mentorship. The accelerator offers a five-month program that helps founders refine their ideas, build strong teams, and develop cutting-edge blockchain solutions. Participants benefit from the guidance of Stanford faculty members, alumni, and industry experts as well as opportunities to connect with investors and potential partners in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
10. IOSG Kickstarter Program
- Location: Hong Kong, China
- Cost of Program: None
- Funding Amount: Up to $100,000
IOSG Ventures, a VC firm focused on early stage blockchain projects, launched the IOSG Kickstarter Program to support and accelerate promising blockchain startups. The program offers selected projects an initial investment of up to $100,000 along with mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to IOSG’s extensive network within the blockchain industry.
The IOSG Kickstarter Program aims to help founders growth hack their startups, build their go-to-market plan, and validate ideas. The program leverages IOSG’s expertise in blockchain technology, token economics, and go-to-market strategies to provide tailored support to each project.