NEAR Foundation, a blockchain platform, has launched NEAR Horizon, an accelerator program aimed at supporting founders in the Web3 ecosystem.
This program is designed to enable start-up teams to scale their projects with a wide range of support from a diverse range of service providers, mentors, and backers. NEAR Horizon has been made possible through partnerships with key players in the blockchain industry, including Dragonfly, Pantera, Fabric Ventures, Decasonic, and Hashed. These partnerships are expected to facilitate the rapid growth of great products with real-world value in the NEAR ecosystem.
NEAR’s expansion is due in part to some significant upgrades and announcements from its core team, including its recent transition to a Blockchain Operating System (BOS), an industry first that further establishes NEAR as the direct entry point into Web3. With the BOS, NEAR is no longer just a Layer 1 – it’s the OS for an open web, free from the centralized platforms of Web2. The NEAR Foundation is committed to supporting the Web3 community and is working tirelessly to develop solutions that make it easier for founders to succeed in this exciting and rapidly evolving space.
NEAR Horizon is an exciting opportunity for founder teams looking to build their startups on the BOS. At launch, the marketplace will include over 15 service providers, 40 mentors, and over 300 backers. Founders in the NEAR ecosystem will have direct self-service access to NEAR Horizon, allowing them to make connections and generate resources that will help them succeed. In addition to these immediate resources, founders can apply for credits that cover service costs in critical development areas, including marketing, legal, back-office finance, product, and infrastructure.
For founders looking for additional support and guidance throughout their Horizon journey, the platform will also be equipped with programs facilitated through a NEAR Foundation partner, providing mentorship, business resources, and a direct line to startup capital. These programs are available through a wide range of industry-leading groups, including Antler, Brinc, FabricX, CV Labs, and Blockchain Founders Group, among others. Regardless of the path founders choose to take, NEAR Horizon will provide them with the support they need when they need it most to accelerate the growth of their Web3 projects built on the NEAR Protocol.
As crypto winter’s thawing hopefully promises the arrival of a crypto spring, NEAR is continuing to build momentum with both founders and investors in the Web3 community. With higher transaction speeds than Ethereum, a strong commitment to its ecosystem, and an industry-first blockchain operating system, NEAR has created a direct path toward success for founders. The NEAR Foundation will onboard projects and founders to NEAR Horizon over the next few months, and interested parties are encouraged to get involved.
