While hints of a crypto development emerge, developers are seizing the current builder’s opportunity. NEAR Protocol, in particular, has witnessed significant growth in new initiatives and rising adoption throughout the past year. In this article, we will discuss NEAR Horizon accelerator program for Web3.
NEAR Protocol and Web3
NEAR’s expansion can be partly attributed to notable advancements and announcements from its core team. Most recently, NEAR unveiled its transformation into a Blockchain Operating System (BOS), an industry-first that further establishes NEAR as the direct gateway to Web3. With the BOS, NEAR sheds its Layer 1 and becomes the OS for an open web, free from the centralized platforms of Web2.
NEAR co-founder Illia Polosukhin hinted that the transition to a BOS was just the beginning of NEAR’s journey. As Consensus unfolded, and with NEAR’s prominent presence at the conference, many Web3 enthusiasts and NEAR community members eagerly awaited further exciting announcements, and they weren’t disappointed.
What is NEAR Horizon?
The NEAR Foundation revealed NEAR Horizon, an accelerator fundamentally transforming how founders receive support in Web3. Enabled through partnerships with Dragonfly, Pantera, Fabric Ventures, Decasonic, Hashed, and others, NEAR Horizon will empower founding teams to scale their projects with a diverse range of assistance. This support will, in turn, drive the rapid development of valuable products with real-world impact within the NEAR ecosystem.
NEAR Horizon: A Groundbreaking Accelerator for Web3 Startups
NEAR Horizon presents a thrilling opportunity for founding teams looking to build their ventures on the BOS. Startups can engage with NEAR Horizon through a two-sided marketplace application that connects founders with each other and with the individuals and organizations best equipped to accelerate their growth.
The marketplace will house over 15 service providers, 40 mentors, and over 300 backers. Founders within the NEAR ecosystem will have direct self-service access to NEAR Horizon, empowering them to make connections and secure the resources needed to succeed. In addition to these immediate resources, founders can apply for credits that cover service expenses in critical development areas such as marketing, legal, back-office finance, product development, and infrastructure.
Founders Support
For founders seeking additional support and guidance throughout their Horizon journey, the platform will also offer programs facilitated through a NEAR Foundation partner, providing mentorship, business resources, and a direct pathway to startup capital.
These programs are available through a diverse range of industry-leading groups, including Antler, Brinc, FabricX, CV Labs, Blockchain Founders Group, and others. Regardless of the path founders choose, NEAR Horizon will equip them with the support they need, exactly when they need it, to accelerate the growth of their Web3 projects built on the NEAR Protocol.
At The End
As the crypto winter hopefully yields to a crypto spring, NEAR continues to gain momentum with both founders and investors within the Web3 community. With faster transaction speeds than Ethereum, a deep commitment to its ecosystem, and an industry-first blockchain operating system, NEAR has paved a direct path to success for founders.
