diff --git a/content/accelerator.md b/content/accelerator.md index c585860d..3760a592 100644 --- a/content/accelerator.md +++ b/content/accelerator.md @@ -1,6 +1,196 @@ # IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator +*Empowering the next generation of blockchain builders through “proof of research”* +
+The IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator is an initiative designed to transform bold ideas into real-world applications. In a space that moves quickly, we aim to bring “proof of research” and rigorous discipline to the next wave of companies in the space. + +## Program Eligibility + +The IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator is geared towards early-stage projects that are pre-product market fit. Teams should at minimum have a validated idea (through interviews and deep market research), or have significant progress in their academic research. At least one member with a technical background and an affiliation to IC3 or Cornell is required to be eligible and participate. + +## A Legacy of Innovation & Research + +IC3 and Cornell have a proud history of fostering some of the blockchain industry's most influential projects. Alumni and research from our ecosystem have led to the creation of companies like Chainlink Labs, Ava Labs, Offchain Labs, Flashbots, Gyroscope, Oasis Labs, and many others. + +Our commitment to advancing blockchain R&D is stronger than ever. This inaugural year of the IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator will be led by a dedicated team of IC3 members, Cornell students, and alumni, continuing our tradition of innovation and excellence. We are grateful for the support in helping us launch this initiative. + +## Program Incentives +Participants in the IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator will benefit from: + +- $10,000 in seed funding for up to two projects that meet specific criteria +- Mentorship from IC3’s extensive network of faculty, PhD students, and industry leaders industry leaders hailing from Ava labs, Chainlink, Paypal, Coinbase, and many more +- Research support to help navigate complex challenges and accelerate project development +- Access to a global network of blockchain builders and innovators +- Exposure to investors who are actively supporting early-stage projects including Pantera, Dragonfly, a16z, among others +- Recruitment assistance to support job placement post-accelerator + +## Be Part of the First Cohort + +Applications are now open for the first cohort of the IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator. Apply here. The deadline is January 15, 2025. + +## Accelerator Team + +
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Oana Gherman
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+ Program Manager +
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Oana is the IC3 liaison and she is overseeing and coordinating multiple facets within IC3 to ensure they align with the initiative's goals and are executed efficiently. Her key responsibilities include planning and defining the program scope, coordinating projects to work together effectively, managing resources to optimize performance, identifying and mitigating potential risks, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders to keep them informed and engaged throughout the program.

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Eric Hu
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+ Accelerator Lead +
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Eric is an investor at Thoma Bravo, a technology private equity firm, where he leads deals and helps operate companies across the supply chain, cybersecurity, and GRC space. He co-founded Cornell Blockchain in 2017, and currently serves as a board member, supporting the organization across initiatives such as their education courses and the annual Cornell Blockchain Conference. Previously, Eric was an investment banker at Evercore, where he assisted companies across Communications and Digital Infrastructure with M&A, Capital Raises, and Strategic Alternatives.

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+ +**Reva Jariwala** - Student Accelerator Lead + +
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Reva Jariwala is a senior at Cornell University, majoring in Information Science, who began exploring blockchain in high school, starting with onramps, and has never looked back. As Vice President of the Cornell Blockchain club, she helps lead this student-led org and has worked across the space, primarily through a TradFi lens, from researching protocols at Mark Cuban Companies to trading infrastructure at Citadel. Currently, she’s contributing part-time to the research team at Coinbase, focusing on Base. + +

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+ +**Alex Lin** - Accelerator Lead + +
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Alexander is the Co-founder and General Partner at Reforge, a blockchain and frontier tech investment firm. Previously, he was the Head of Research and first investment team hire at Shima Capital, joining the firm while he was completing his technical MBA with a concentration in distributed systems and cryptography at Cornell Tech and the Cornell SC Johnson Graduate School of Management. Prior to his investing career, Alexander was an engineer and led product for two successful web2 exits (Teads 2017, Concertiv 2020), and founded a digital healthcare company. He has been in crypto since 2012. + +

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Danielle Nicholson
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+ Accelerator Lead +
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Danielle is an attorney, serial entrepreneur and Cornell alum who currently serves as CEO of Mira Intel. She previously founded BuilderBloc, a legal and business advisory firm that supports and scales early stage startups innovating at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence. Her prior experience also includes working with the United Nations and Techstars. She holds active roles with the Global Blockchain Business Council and The Knowledge House, a non-profit dedicated to diversifying the tech talent pipeline.

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+ +**Yousuf Qaum** - Student Accelerator Lead + +
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Yousuf Qaum, a senior at Cornell University majoring in statistics, is a dedicated blockchain enthusiast. He has led initiatives such as the Cornell Blockchain Accelerator, interned as a Product Manager at Fidelity, and conducted research on how blockchain technology enhances the efficiency of humanitarian aid distribution. + +

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Gil Rosen
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+ Accelerator Lead +
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President of the Stanford Blockchain Accelerator, managing partner of Blockchain Builders fund, co-lead of BASS Conference, and co-teacher of Stanford MS&E 447 Blockchain entrepreneurship, Gil has supported over 80 blockchain startups from validated ideas to launch; raising $500M in aggregate. A 2x exited founder, Gil’s companies built distributed computing platforms for the IRS, London stock exchange, BP, Rolls Royce, and more.

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Jay Yu
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+ Accelerator Lead +
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Jay Yu is an IC3 Research Advisor, where his research interests center around Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and programmable cryptography. Jay studied Philosophy and Computer Science at Stanford University. As President of Stanford Blockchain Club, he served as a Uniswap DAO delegate and a Teaching Assistant for CS 352B/LAW 1078 - Blockchain Governance. He also works on research and investments at Pantera Capital.

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+ +## Accelerator Mentors + +John Wu - President @ Ava Labs
+Gengmo Qi - Partner @ DragonFly, IC3 & Cornell alum
+Alex Lin - Cofounder and Managing Partner @ Reforge, Ex-Shima Capital
+Steven Willinger - Ex-Coinbase Ventures, GP @ Blockchain Builders + +## FAQs + +**Who can apply for the IC3-Cornell Accelerator Program?**
+ The team must have at least one member affiliated with IC3 or Cornell (i.e. students, alums, etc) and at least one technical member. The project should be pre-product market fit. + +**What will make our project stand out and be considered for the program?**
+ Our accelerator leads will be looking for projects that have more than one member, demonstrate technical innovation, and meet an industry need. Projects considered will help drive blockchain adoption and enable new use cases. + +**How long is the IC3-Cornell Accelerator Program?**
+ The program will be 14 weeks. + +**Who reviews the applications?**
+ The accelerator leads. + +**Can I apply as an individual or do I need to be part of a team?**
+ You can apply as an individual as long as you have a technical background. At least one member of a team, or the individual applying, needs to have technical expertise. + +**When will I find out if my project has been accepted?**
+ We will notify all teams within two weeks after the application deadline + +**What does the accelerator program entail?**
+ This pilot version of the IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator will be 14-weeks long. There will be bi-weekly meetings with accelerator leads, one-on-one mentor sessions, educational bi-weekly webinars with industry professionals that accelerator participants can attend, in-person networking events, a demo day during the Cornell Blockchain Conference, and more. + +**How much of a time commitment is required?**
+ It will depend on the needs of the selected teams, but given the activities scheduled throughout the duration of the program, it will require a minimum of 1-hour per week. + +**Does the program offer mentorship?**
+ Yes, the teams will be introduced to our mentors, and they will decide who to work with based on their needs. + +**Can I still work on my academic research while participating in the accelerator program?**
+ Yes, the program activities shouldn’t interfere with your academic work. + +**Is the program offered to those outside of IC3 or Cornell?**
+ Not at the moment. + +**Does your accelerator program take equity from startups?**
+ We do not take equity. + +**What are the next steps after I submit my application?**
+ A committee will review the applications on a rolling basis. After the application period ends, you will be contacted by a member of the leading team with the decision. If you are selected, an interview will be scheduled for the week of January 20-26, 2025. The final decisions will be announced on January 27, 2025. If you are selected for the accelerator, the program will run from February 3 to May 11, 2025. + +## Stay Informed + +Follow us on X, LinkedIn and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter where we will send out pertinent information related to the IC3-Cornell Blockchain Accelerator Program. diff --git a/images/accelerator/Jay.png b/images/accelerator/Jay.png new file mode 100644 index 00000000..b04ca399 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/accelerator/Jay.png differ diff --git a/images/accelerator/oana.jpg b/images/accelerator/oana.jpg new file mode 100644 index 00000000..2a8d413b Binary files /dev/null and b/images/accelerator/oana.jpg differ