The Open Web Collective’s fourth accelerator cohort is Web3, fintech, gamification for the metaverse
Open Web Collective (OWC), a blockchain and digital asset venture firm has accelerated 26 Web3 companies since it was founded way back in 2020. Since then, OWC alumni companies have collectively raised over $315M USD in venture funding – a whopping sum in a short time. Additionally, one of their portfolio companies achieved unicorn status (US$1B valuation) with 4 more achieving centaur status ($100M ARR).
This is due in part to founder Mimi Idada’s ability to pick winners, not to mention her work ethic.
“We believe the OWC Accelerator is a great opportunity for the development of the BSG product due to OWC’s strong focus on scaling early-stage Web3 projects, and their extensive network of Web3 ecosystem partners, advisors and investors facilitating growth. We are ensuring OWC’s laser focus on teaching founders the best practical skills covering technology, product, legal, marketing, community management and fundraising,” said Cyril Zilberbord, co-founder of Black Sheep Gaming, one of the participants in this cohort.
Added Serafim Korablev, co-founder of Via Protocol, “We are excited to join OWC’s premier Web3 accelerator and become part of this community.”
The full list of participating startups includes the following:
Via protocol: Unifies all cross-chain bridges and other routers
Founders: Serafim Korablev, Dan Okhlopkov
Via its intelligent routing system, Via Protocol’s cross-chain liquidity aggregation solution can automatically scan over 70 DEXs across 25 networks, and 26 of the most popular cross-chain bridges to allow users to securely exchange tokens on the fastest and cheapest routes. Via allows users to seamlessly move tokens between ecosystems – although there is no direct bridge – by aggregating more routers, bridges and chains than any other cross-chain router to ensure users can find the most efficient, secure the routes, with the most liquidity and cheapest fees, to exchange their tokens across chains.
Gridlock: Distributed crypto wallets that make blockchain ownership easy and secure
Founder: Derek Rodriguez
Gridlock uses threshold signature cryptography to form a distributed storage network that can securely store encryption keys, protecting against both loss and theft. Gridlock does this by dividing your private key into five parts which are then distributed among friends or guardians. The biggest advantage is that no one can sign a transaction without your share of the key and majority approval. Any device not on this network cannot access it without your permission, and any part of the key is useless on its own.
Hastack Finance: Fast, third-party-free loans on the blockchain
Founders: Vinay Kumar
Hashtack Finance is a zk-native money market protocol that allows anyone, anywhere around the world, to lend up to three times their security in BTC, BNB, USDC, USDT, completely permissionless without the need for trusted third parties. Their unique platform provides unsecured loans, split deposits and loans, transparent dual liquidation mechanisms to blockchain borrowers worldwide, 24% savings interest on deposits with 3-month lock-in periods to lenders, and 4.28 times more on your security compared to Compound , Aave, MakerDao for borrowers.
NFT Price Floor: A Coingecko-style data hub and analysis platform for NFT collectors
Founders: David J. Garcia, Nicolas (Nico) Lallement Tallo, Agustin (Agus) Perez Pala
NFT Price Floor indexes, curates and sorts NFT data with a clean and intuitive user interface so users can acquire the latest market insights, manage their digital asset portfolio and make informed decisions about their next investment decision. NFT Price Floor believes that the price floor concept is highly relevant to the non-fungible token space, as revealed by growing initiatives and artistic collaborations bridging the world of digital collectibles with crypto, art and DeFi.
TokenChamp: An online arcade where your NFTs are the protagonists of the games
Founders: Scott Balaban, Erik Stein, Sam Fuhrer, Christian Desrosiers
TokenChamp benefits NFTs by awarding cash prizes to players’ digital wallets for their participation in games and tournaments.
Black Sheep Gaming: A technology company focused on investing in blockchain gaming and the metaverse
Founders: Cyril Zilberbord, Nick Orlovsky
Black Sheep Gaming’s Web3 platform connects investors, monetizing digital assets and asset operators in the metaverse economy. Their guild includes over 500 top players who average a monthly salary of $1,200, and thanks to high-quality team curation and development, BSG’s portfolio averages a win rate of over 85% – making them the industry’s highest performer in the category.
ExxaVerse: A cross-chain game built on the Unreal Engine
Founders: Joshua Margulies, William Schneider
ExxaVerse implements peer-to-peer betting, AAA quality graphics and digital real estate. Their own digital currency, $EXXA, will be used for the in-game NFT marketplace and match entry fees. ExxaVerse players battle each other by choosing one of six gladiator classes, choosing and customizing weapons, and updating player stats including armor, health, strength, critical chance, range and more to provide a truly immersive and unique gaming experience.
OWC has participated in the origin story of 1Inch.io and others – and expects great things from this talented new cohort.
As part of its fall open call, the accelerator will host a demo day on October 19, 2022 that will allow the fourth group of startups participating in the program to showcase their ideas to hundreds of attendees alongside keynote speakers such as CoinFund founder Jake Brukhman and Greenfield One partner Felix Machart.
This year, OWC’s demo day keynote will focus on crypto’s current macro outlook and the latest innovations, with a presentation from an industry thought leader ahead of founder pitches.
This article includes a client of an Espacio portfolio company
