A Look Back at 8 Months of the Tatum Blockchain Accelerator, Powered by StartupYard
Eight months ago, we embarked on an exciting journey to foster the next generation of blockchain innovation. We partnered with Tatum, DEPO Ventures and Purple Ventures to launch the Tatum Blockchain Accelerator, Powered by StartupYard, an initiative designed to support early-stage blockchain startups and help them navigate the complex process of building a company from scratch.
Our mission was simple yet ambitious: to be a business-centric, chain-agnostic accelerator that offers business support to blockchain founders who are looking to raise their first round of funding. Today, we are thrilled to share the progress we’ve made and the impact we’ve had on the blockchain startup ecosystem.
Global Reach
We have been thrilled to receive an overwhelming response to the program, with 200 applications from 57 countries. The global reach of the applications testifies to the universal appeal and potential of blockchain technology.
The majority of applications came from Europe, followed by Asia, North America, Africa, South America, and Oceania.
The broad range of sectors that the applicants represent also stands testament to the versatile applications of blockchain technology. Leading the way were startups from the fintech sector (33 applications), followed by gaming (23), media and trading (17 each), and development (16). We also received applications from startups in the e-commerce, wallet, art, travel, mining, green tech, security, real estate, legal, sport, e-learning, supply chain, telco, fashion, intellectual property, virtual reality, NGO, logistics, data, RegTech, and services sectors.
Selective Process, High Potential
Of the 200 applications, we interviewed 38 startups, representing 19% of the total applications. The interviews were rigorous and aimed at identifying the most promising startups that could benefit the most from our program. After a careful selection process which included multiple interviews with 6 judges from StartupYard, Tatum, DEPO Ventures and Purple Ventures, we accepted six startups, which represent 16% of the interviewed startups and 3% of the total applications.
These percentages are in line with our previous data from 12 years of experience reviewing and selecting startups.
The 5 selected startups have been put through a rigorous program that includes personalized workshops, one-to-one business mentoring, introductions to business angels and VCs, and much more. They have benefitted from our extensive experience and access to our deep network of mentors, partners, and investors.
The 6 startups we have accepted so far are Dexfin Wallet (Czechia), Insaaph Capital (South Africa), Fungies.io (Poland), InvestBay (Czechia) and CO2IN (Czechia). We have already published the interviews of the founders of Fungies and CO2IN and more are coming soon.
Our commitment to these startups extends beyond the duration of the program. As StartupYard portfolio companies, they continue to receive ongoing support, helping them to reach their full potential and make a lasting impact in their respective domains.
We are also delighted about the network of support behind our program, which includes leading venture capital firms in the CEE region and active business angels, providing our startups with exceptional networking and learning opportunities. Soon we also hope to be able to announce some funding rounds.
Inviting the Next Generation of Innovators
Looking ahead, we’re excited about the potential of the next cohort of startups. We’re particularly interested in startups working in any crypto field and blockchain protocol, but have a preference for Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible protocols.
Our program is valued at €40,000, paid as a simple convertible note, SAFE, tokens or future tokens (SAFT), and provides startups with a wealth of resources, including €20k in cash as a simple convertible note or SAFE or SAFT with the option for higher investment, 30+ hours of one-to-one business mentoring, personalized workshops, and much more.
So if you’re an early-stage blockchain startup founder looking to raise your first round of funding, we invite you to apply to the Tatum Blockchain Accelerator Powered by StartupYard. To apply, simply visit our Apply page and follow the link to our application form.
This is more than just an opportunity to secure funding. It’s a chance to be part of a supportive community of experienced business professionals, mentors, and fellow startup founders. It’s a chance to learn, grow, and ultimately, succeed.
The Tatum Blockchain Accelerator, Powered by StartupYard is more than just an accelerator. It’s a catalyst for innovation, a platform for growth, and a community of forward-thinkers. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished in the past eight months and are excited about the future of blockchain technology.
We’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of blockchain and are committed to helping the next generation of innovators harness this potential. We’re looking for founders who are ready to take their ideas to the next level, who are passionate about blockchain technology, and who believe in its capacity to revolutionize industries.
We’re here to provide you with the tools, resources, and support you need. We want to help you navigate the challenges of startup life, connect you with key players in the industry, and equip you with the business skills necessary to succeed.