Introducing DCA: An Accelerator for DeFi Innovators

Etherlink
Etherlink Community
3 min readMar 12, 2024

--

Passionate about pioneering DeFi advancements? Got ideas waiting to be realized? Then the DeFi Catalyst Accelerator aka the DCA is for you. It’s a six-week program focused on nurturing projects that redefine DeFi norms, providing mentorship and guidance to support their success. Apply now to propel your DeFi vision forward! — Applications are open until March 31st, 2024.

What is the DCA?

The DeFi Catalyst Accelerator aka the ‘DCA’ is not just another accelerator program. It’s a DeFi-focused initiative designed to support founders like you who are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the DeFi ecosystem. Whether you’re building on Etherlink or Tezos, the DCA provides the resources, mentorship, and funding you need to turn your vision into a reality.

Who can benefit from the DCA?

The DCA is open to all early-stage projects, but we believe we can add the most value to founders at the idea or ideation stage. Whether you’re exploring user-friendly DeFi platforms, digital asset management solutions, sports betting platforms, or innovative trading marketplaces, DCA is the perfect launchpad for your venture.

What does the DCA program look like?

The DCA takes place over six weeks. It kicks off with a 2-week bootcamp in Singapore and then a 4-week fully remote program for global participants. During this time, you’ll collaborate intensively with mentors, refine your ideas, and develop your minimum viable product (MVP) for launch. Here’s a summary of what to expect — for the full program, head over to our website.

During weeks 1–2
In Singapore, DCA participants meet mentors and the local ecosystem, collaborate intensively, validate their ideas, and start budgeting.

Moving into weeks 3–6
The program pivots to remote where participants continue to engage in mentorship, attend lectures, work on an early MVP, and prepare to present their product to investors.

At the end of week 6
It’s pitching time! Participants pitch their products to VCs and experts for potential investment opportunities.

Why join this accelerator?

Joining the DCA has many benefits. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:

  • Mentorship & guidance — Access targeted support from the Core DeFi team of the Tezos ecosystem and experienced mentors in the space. We’ll help you validate ideas, focus your resources, and eventually raise funds from our extensive network of VC partners.
  • $200k funding — Receive a potential investment of $200k to support you while you raise your seed round, giving you the financial backing you need to bring your project to life.
  • Expert sessions — Benefit from DeFi-specific working sessions covering UI/UX, product development, core engineering, liquidity, security, and legal matters, delivered by industry experts.
  • Network turbocharged — Seize multiple in-person networking opportunities, including exclusive events with leading Asia-based Web3 investors and meetups with the Web3 community in Singapore.
  • Community, unlocked — The DCA is a community of passionate crypto founders and innovators. By joining, you’ll gain access to a supportive network that will help you navigate the challenges of building a successful DeFi project.

Join the DCA community, apply today!

Applications for the DCA are open until the 31st of March 2024. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to accelerate your DeFi project with the guidance and funding you need to drive success. Visit our website to learn more, and submit your application!

Apply to DCA 2024

Find out more

See the full breakdown of the DCA and on our website. But if you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Check out our FAQ section on our website for answers to common questions about the DCA.

Join the Etherlink community

Ready to join us on this exciting adventure? Become a part of the Etherlink community today!

Follow us on Twitter, join our Discord server, and keep up with all the latest updates right here on our Medium channel.

If you’re a developer looking to deploy on Etherlink, we’ve got you covered — learn how to get started here.

--

--

Etherlink
Etherlink Community

A decentralized & EVM compatible Layer-2 blockchain built on Tezos.