Techstars and Alchemist Announce First Class of Their Joint Blockchain Accelerator Program

The selected companies are Alkemi, AnyLedger, Autom(8), Blockade Games, Embleema, Gilded, Paperchain, Paperstreet, Trixta, and Veracity Protocol.

Techstars and Alchemist designed the program to help blockchain founders navigate the full range of challenges they encounter: standard startup obstacles plus regulatory hurdles and rapidly shifting technology landscapes. They opened applications in July 2018 and selected their cohort after multiple rounds of in-person interviews and pitches. Selection criteria included founding team strength, each group's grasp of the market problem they targeted, and whether a market large enough existed for scaling.

The program provides mentorship and connects founders with experienced advisors across the blockchain sector.

"Successfully building a traditional startup is hard enough, and blockchain startup founders face all the complexities of traditional startups and then some, as these new models are being pioneered," said Yossi Hasson, Managing Director of the Alchemist Blockchain Techstars Accelerator. He added, "We've launched this blockchain-specific program in partnership with Alchemist to support blockchain entrepreneurs in their journey through this emerging industry, and engage a unique network of worldwide mentors with blockchain experience and expertise."