As the idea of Web3 continues to take shape, learning about blockchain technology and how business ventures can utilize it becomes increasingly relevant for entrepreneurs. The concept of working in a decentralized online ecosystem opens doors to numerous use cases across different industries. By harnessing the power of blockchain comes the opportunity to innovate different spaces such as financial services, mobility, infrastructure, and more.

Through Cardano, the FT x Cardano Blockchain Challenge is using its flexible, sustainable, and scalable blockchain platform to open opportunities for startups to build and iterate their ventures. With the blockchain’s ability to run smart contracts, entrepreneurs can develop a wide range of decentralized apps and find more ways to build blockchain-specific solutions.

The FT x Cardano Blockchain Challenge is a collaboration between Cardano’s Project Catalyst, a community and group of experiments focused on self-governance to grow the Cardano blockchain, Seedstars, a Swiss-based group with the mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship, and Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organizations.

The goal is to identify and invest in ventures around the globe with the potential to become high-growth companies as well as support entrepreneurs that are building or aim to build blockchain solutions based on the Cardano public blockchain platform. Participants will receive access to the right tools and methods to gain traction and scale their blockchain solutions.

The program will shortlist 50 participants to participate in a 3-day bootcamp, where they will have access to mentorship, investors, and tech perks. From the bootcamp participants, 24 will be chosen to move forward with Seedstars’ accelerator program. Only one startup will be short tracked to the Seedstars International Investor Fund.

“Developments in the blockchain and Web3 space are something that our team is excitedly watching unfold. To take part in supporting all the possibilities and innovations that blockchain enables, our team is thrilled to launch the FT x Cardano Blockchain Challenge," Alisee de Tonnac, co-CEO and co-founder from Seedstars.

To become part of the FT x Cardano Blockchain Challenge, send in your applications before 31 May here: https://airtable.com/shrnocNC0ehP2Llu1.

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ABOUT SEEDSTARS

"They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds." - Mexican proverb

Seedstars is a Swiss-based private company with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. The group’s activities cover over 90 emerging ecosystems through a variety of initiatives such as the FTxSDG Challenge, previously known as the Seedstars World Competition, which is the largest entrepreneurship competition in emerging markets; Seedstars Programs that are designed to support entrepreneurs in varying stages of growth via training, education, mentoring, and access to resources; and Seedstars International, a global venture capital fund for seed stage startups. For more information, visit www.seedstars.com.

ABOUT CARDANO

Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform: the first to be founded on peer-reviewed research and developed through evidence-based methods. It combines pioneering technologies to provide unparalleled security and sustainability to decentralized applications, systems, and societies. With a leading team of engineers, Cardano exists to redistribute power from unaccountable structures to the margins – to individuals – and be an enabling force for positive change and progress. For more information, visit www.cardano.org.

ABOUT PROJECT CATALYST

Project Catalyst is a series of experiments that seeks to generate the highest levels of community innovation. Catalyst is bringing on-chain governance to the Cardano blockchain by allowing the community to self-determine priorities for growth. It also lets participants deploy funding to proposals that tackle challenges and capitalize on opportunities that arise in the life cycle of Cardano. For more information, visit https://cardanocataly.st/.

ABOUT FT TALENT

The FT Talent Challenge is a series of international events. FT Talent selects the most innovative and diverse individuals from thousands of international applicants for a multiple-day challenge experience, giving them a chance to understand and challenge the existing ecosystem and benefit from FT and partner expert insights alongside invited guests. The challenge helps foster new creative thinking, develop potential solutions to strategic business issues and stimulate disruption within the business ecosystem.

ABOUT FINANCIAL TIMES

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of more than one million, three-quarters of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.

CONTACTS

Program

Daria Khlopova

Program Manager

[email protected]

Media

Michaela Villaroman
Media Relations

[email protected]