Overview of the Cohort Selection
The Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator, a collaboration between various esteemed institutions at UC Berkeley, has revealed its Spring 2020 cohort featuring an impressive lineup of 17 selected startups out of a competitive 140 applications. This selection, announced on March 11, showcases the continuing growth and innovation within the blockchain space.
Diverse Industries Represented
This year’s cohort spans a broad spectrum of industries, including:
- Gaming
- Fintech
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Sports
- Energy
- Healthcare
Each project plays a crucial role in pushing boundaries and creating solutions that are not only innovative but also scalable across varied industry concerns.
The Purpose Behind the Accelerator
As the Xcelerator kicks off, participants can look forward to tapping into Berkeley’s extensive network, which includes:
- Mentors
- Researchers
- Faculty
- Venture Capital firms
- Student talent
This unique ecosystem is designed to nurture creativity and foster collaboration, providing startups with invaluable resources and insights.
Spotlight on Selected Startups
Here’s a quick peek at some of the promising teams taking part in this year’s cohort:
- Alcala: A decentralized financial consortium with a cross-chain infrastructure focused on the Polkadot ecosystem.
- ARterra: A fan engagement platform designed for sports franchises and eSports based on the NEAR protocol.
- Blockstar: Marketplace for brands to connect with video games and virtual experiences.
- Blok-z: White-label solution for the production and tracking of electricity.
- Calypso: A personalized loan auction site for borrowers.
- Stake Technologies: Infrastructure for Web3.0 via a new Plasma Network.
- Nodle.io: A project to secure IoT connectivity with smartphones.
These startups are not just participating; they are set to redefine their respective sectors.
A Look Back at Previous Cohorts
The Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator has a track record of selecting innovative teams, as seen in past cohorts:
- Fall 2019: Featured 13 teams including BCdiploma, Eluvio, and Puma Browser.
- Spring 2019: Hosted 12 projects, among them AnChain.ai and Bitmark.
These previous selections highlight a commitment to nurturing groundbreaking blockchain innovations.
