TZ APAC, a prominent Asia-based blockchain adoption entity within the Tezos ecosystem, has introduced the second cohort of Fortify Labs. This startup studio is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs developing projects on Tezos or Etherlink. Offering a highly personalized Web3 startup experience, Fortify Labs maintains small cohort sizes to ensure focused, hands-on mentorship and support. The latest batch of participants includes Bluwhale, Facial DN(A+I) Network IDRX, Lilypad, and Predictwise.
Success Stories from the First Cohort
The initial 2024 cohort showcased several noteworthy achievements. One standout participant, Questflow, significantly expanded its user base, witnessing a 156-fold rise in monthly active users and achieving a revenue increase of over 500%. Similarly, OCV Labs progressed from no revenue to securing a five-figure income, while its on-chain daily active users peaked at 1,300. Fortify Labs’ comprehensive mentorship played a crucial role in guiding these startups through obstacles and aligning them towards growth. Notably, akaSwap transitioned from operating as a Web3 game platform to establishing itself as a creative Web3 activation agency. Both OCV Labs and akaSwap successfully secured funding from the Tezos Foundation, having demonstrated growth in revenue, user engagement, transaction volume, and community presence.
Comprehensive Support for Growth
The second cohort will undergo a seven-month hybrid program consisting of remote sessions and three in-person gatherings at TZ APAC’s Singapore headquarters. Each startup will benefit from the mentorship of experienced entrepreneurs, receiving tailored guidance in areas like go-to-market strategies, fundraising, and operational planning. Additionally, Fortify Labs will provide robust marketing support to amplify the visibility of the participating startups within the blockchain community.
Technical assistance will also be available to help founders optimize their products for market readiness and wider user adoption. Furthermore, the startups will gain access to strategic partnerships, including introductions to venture capitalists and experienced advisors to support growth and fundraising efforts.
Financial Incentives and Growth Opportunities
Each participating project will be granted $10,000 upon achieving key milestones. Additionally, depending on growth indicators such as revenue, user activity, transaction volume, and community engagement, startups may qualify for further investments of up to $200,000. These financial incentives are designed to encourage sustained growth and long-term success.
Commitment to Web3 Innovation
The Managing Director of TZ APAC, David Tng, emphasized the organization’s dedication to supporting emerging Web3 entrepreneurs. He highlighted that Fortify Labs is specifically designed to offer mentorship and strategic direction to early-stage startups, ensuring they receive the essential resources and insights needed to build sustainable and profitable businesses on Tezos and Etherlink.
Diverse Applicant Pool and Ecosystem Expansion
This year’s program saw applications from a broad range of sectors, including decentralized personalization protocols, esports platforms, AI rendering networks, and stablecoin solutions backed by full collateral. After a stringent selection process, the most promising projects were chosen to participate in Fortify Labs’ comprehensive support initiative.
Fortify Labs’ efforts align with TZ APAC’s broader ecosystem development goals. Recent milestones include Quantix Capital’s $1 million investment partnership, aimed at supporting Tezos-based gaming projects. Additionally, the community can engage with the selected Fortify Labs startups through TZ Apex, a rewards initiative designed to incentivize participation in projects within the Tezos and Etherlink ecosystems.
With a clear focus on fostering Web3 innovation, Fortify Labs continues to play a pivotal role in accelerating the success of early-stage blockchain startups in the region.
