a16z Crypto Selects 21 Startups for Fall 2024 Accelerator Cohort

The accelerator program, designed to support early-stage crypto projects, will provide each startup with a minimum investment of $500,000, alongside mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities from a16z's investing and operating teams.

This latest cohort includes startups from 11 countries, showing the global reach and influence of the crypto and Web3 sectors. 

Over the course of 8 weeks, the founders will receive expert guidance from top crypto entrepreneurs and a16z's network to scale their projects and prepare them for a broader market launch. 

Notable Startups Selected

Among the 21 startups, several projects stand out for their innovative approaches in the crypto space. 

Anera Labs is developing liquidity infrastructure that aims to bridge liquidity across multiple blockchain networks, solving one of the most critical issues in decentralized finance (DeFi). 

In the DeFi space, Term Labs is developing a lending platform that matches borrowers and lenders at fixed rates, addressing the volatility concerns in the decentralized lending market. 

Kuzco is another project to watch, building a marketplace for Large Language Model (LLM) inference, addressing the growing need for efficient AI model usage across platforms.

The gaming industry is also well-represented with zkSpin, an on-chain game engine that promises to revolutionize blockchain-based gaming experiences. 

Dot offers a creative twist by transforming user-generated pixel art into game pieces for on-chain games, a move that could further integrate NFTs with gaming.

Meanwhile, t1 protocol is working on a real-time generation proof to unify Ethereum, bringing more security and scalability to the Ethereum ecosystem.

Additional selected projects include:

• Fermah: Building a universal zero-knowledge proof generation layer.

• Future Primitive: Crafting a new platform for internet photo interactions.

• MeshMap: Developing a 3D global map and augmented reality (AR) content network.

• Opacity Labs: Providing privacy verification for web2 data using zkTLS technology.

• OpenGradient: Creating a blockchain intended to bring global computing on-chain.

• PIN AI: Establishing an open platform for personal AI with data and agents.

• Pod: Innovating with a blockless, leaderless L1 primitive that redefines transaction ordering.

• Sekai: Facilitating the creation, sharing, and monetization of interactive narratives.

• Skyfire: An open payment protocol enabling AI agents to make transactions.

AI and Blockchain: A Growing Intersection

The Fall 2024 cohort highlights a16z’s increasing focus on AI within the crypto landscape. Four of the selected startups focus on AI, signaling a growing trend of integrating machine learning with blockchain. 

A standout project is Cork Protocol, an AI-powered platform enabling autonomous agents to interact and pay each other, a capability that major crypto firms like Coinbase are exploring for future use.

AI-powered protocols, DeFi innovations, gaming, and UX improvements are key sectors of focus for a16z, as outlined in their 2023 report on upcoming trends.

Global Representation and Strong Competition

Out of 8000 applications received in 2023, only 26 companies made the cut, making the acceptance rate less than 1%. Although a16z has not released the exact application numbers for the 2024 cohort, competition is expected to have been similarly fierce.