This accelerator will seed the blockchain ecosystem with startups using and building decentralized applications on the Filecoin and IPFS storage layer, fostering a new generation of web3 startups.

Today, Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, announced a new accelerator program, the Filecoin Techstars Accelerator. The accelerator will be run in partnership with Protocol Labs, an open source R&D lab building the next generation of the internet. The accelerator will focus on startups that use the IPFS/Filecoin blockchain-based storage network. Today, hundreds of development teams are building decentralized applications based on the Filecoin storage layer. 

Combining these two leading organizations in the accelerator and blockchain space, the Filecoin Techstars Accelerator will attract the most innovative, highest potential, and primed-to-breakthrough startups in blockchain. This accelerator is targeting founders developing Web2 and Web3 decentralized applications in arenas such as data curation, digital asset management, infrastructure and tools, DeFi, data storage, caching, and archival services, and vertical solutions that benefit from a decentralized storage layer.

Isaac Kato, an experienced Techstars accelerator Managing Director who also leads the Techstars Seattle Accelerator, will take the helm of this program, guiding participating startups through the journey.

“Protocol Labs’ highly disruptive approach to cloud storage opens up incredible startup opportunities for developers who want to take advantage of Filecoin/IPFS’ decentralization, immutability, and affordability," said Isaac Kato. "I’m very eager to start working with the startups building the next generation of Web2 and Web3 decentralized apps.”

The Filecoin Techstars Accelerator will accept applications from mid-September through the end of November, 2021. Ten selected startups will participate in a hybrid virtual/in-person accelerator program from March through June, 2022. Over the course of the three-month program founders will receive funding, benefit from curated workshops and educational sessions, and gain access to Techstars’ renowned network of investors, founders, and mentors, which frequently leads startups to key customers, employees, and strategic partner relationships. 

The launch of the Filecoin Techstars Accelerator builds on Techstars’ impressive track record in the blockchain ecosystem, with the Techstars portfolio including many strong blockchain companies such as Chainalysis, Arweave, TradingView, and more.

“As users want to be in control of their own data and continue to store more, entrepreneurs are realizing the need for a decentralized storage infrastructure as the foundation to meet those requirements,” said Stefaan Vervaet - Client Solutions Lead at PL. “We are very excited to work with Techstars, an expert in paving the way for new emerging technologies. The Filecoin Techstars accelerator will lead to a new wave of Web3 businesses storing more critical information on the Filecoin network and that puts control back into the users’ hands.”

Entrepreneurs who are interested in potentially developing on the platform should visit the Filecoin Techstars Accelerator homepage or express their interest here. 

Corporations and investors interested in partnership opportunities with Techstars can learn more at techstars.com/corporations.

About Techstars

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,500 companies with a combined market cap of more than $200B. www.techstars.com

About Protocol Labs

Protocol Labs is an open-source research, development, and deployment laboratory. Our projects include IPFS, Filecoin, libp2p, and many more. We aim to make human existence orders of magnitude better through technology. We are a fully distributed company. Our team of more than 100 members works remotely and in the open to improve the internet — humanity’s most important technology — as we explore new advances in computing and related fields. www.protocol.ai

About Filecoin

Filecoin, the world’s largest decentralized network, allows users to store, request, and transfer data via a verifiable marketplace. Filecoin is completely open-source, enabling people from all over the world to participate. The Filecoin protocol runs on an advanced and novel proof system -- a combination of Proof of Spacetime (PoSt) and Proof of Replication (PoRep), to provide unmatched efficiency and reliability. Filecoin’s advanced technology provides a robust foundation to store the world’s most valuable data sets. An alternative to costly cloud storage, the Filecoin network offers efficiently priced and geographically decentralized storage, minimizing financial barriers, and allowing users to take advantage of its unmatched network capabilities. www.filecoin.io

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