ZYNARIS

Enter the Arena

Compete in the world's most ambitious Web3 accelerator, where elite crypto founders build across DeFi, RWA, AI, and Infrastructure.
Selected founders raise $250K—$1M from Zynaris's venture fund, gain access to an exclusive founder network, and join a cohort to build unstoppable momentum.

Zynaris
Next Hackathon Starts In
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Zynaris Hackathon IV — June 15, 2026

Zynaris powers
Web3 across all ecosystems

  • 500+builders

  • 50+projects funded

  • $120Mraised by alumni

Always Open

Can't wait for the next cohort?

Zynaris Rolling Admissions is a perpetual challenge — start your 4-week development sprint anytime and compete for $250K in pre-seed funding, accelerator admission, and a chance to win the $25K Sprint Award.

01 / Investment Focus

What We Build

Chain-agnostic from day one. We back builders across every vertical that defines the next cycle of Web3.

DeFi Decentralized Finance Exchanges, lending protocols, derivatives, yield strategies, and the financial primitives that power the on-chain economy.
RWA Real World Assets Tokenization of real estate, private credit, commodities, and institutional-grade instruments brought on-chain with full compliance.
AI Artificial Intelligence Autonomous agents, on-chain inference, AI-powered protocols, and the convergence of machine intelligence with decentralized systems.
INFRA Infrastructure L1s, L2s, bridges, data availability, ZK, developer tooling — the core stack that the next billion users will run on.

Join Zynaris

Zynaris runs two accelerator cohorts and a hackathon every year. Apply for a cohort, compete in our hackathon, and join the network of founders building Web3's future.

Hackathon IV — June 2026

Hackathon

Compete in the world's most ambitious Web3 hackathon. Build across DeFi, RWA, AI, and Infrastructure — and win your path into the Zynaris Accelerator.

Format / Process

How It Works

An online, multi-week sprint open to teams of 1—5 founders from any chain, any country.

Week 1
01

Application & Ideation

Submit your application form, share your concept, and access Zynaris mentor office hours before the build sprint begins. Refine your thesis with direct mentor feedback.

  • Fill out and submit your application form during Week 1
  • Access Zynaris mentor office hours from day one
  • Refine your thesis with direct mentor feedback
Registration & Ideation
Weeks 2—6
02

Build Sprint & Demo Day

Four weeks of intensive building followed by a live Demo Day in front of investors and ecosystem partners. Your team ships a working product — not a pitch deck.

  • Infrastructure credits and API access throughout the sprint
  • Weekly async check-ins to keep momentum high
  • Live pitch to 100+ investors and ecosystem partners on Demo Day
  • Top teams win prizes and a direct path into the Zynaris Accelerator
Build Sprint & Demo Day
Awards / Prize Structure

What You Win

$10K
2nd Place

Cash prize + fast-track Accelerator application review + 3 months of ecosystem infrastructure credits.

$5K x4
Category Winners

Best DeFi, Best RWA, Best AI, Best Infra — $5K each + partner network access and co-marketing support.

All Finalists
Alumni Access

Zynaris network membership, VC introductions, infrastructure credits, and a guaranteed Accelerator application review.

Your hackathon win is just the beginning.

Top hackathon teams are invited to continue their journey through the full Zynaris Accelerator — with investment, mentorship, and a Demo Day in front of 100+ funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any founder, developer, or team with a Web3 project idea is welcome. We accept solo founders and teams of up to 5 members. There are no geographic restrictions — Zynaris is fully online and global.

No. You can apply with an idea, a concept, or an early prototype. We evaluate the strength of your vision, team, and execution ability.

All of them. Zynaris is chain-agnostic. You can build on Ethereum, Solana, Cosmos, Sui, Aptos, or any other ecosystem — including cross-chain projects.

No, participation in the Zynaris Hackathon is completely free. We provide infrastructure credits, tooling access, and mentor time at no charge.

Top-performing hackathon teams receive a direct invitation to apply to the next Zynaris Accelerator cohort. Finalists also receive a fast-track review.

Zynaris Hackathon IV launches on June 15, 2026. Applications are open now — apply early to secure your spot. We run two hackathons per year.

10-Week Program — 2026 Cohort

Accelerator

A 10—12 week intensive for early-stage Web3 founders. Capital, mentorship, network, and a Demo Day in front of the world's top crypto funds.

Structure

10—12 Weeks to Launch

Every cohort follows a proven journey from raw idea to investor-ready protocol.

Weeks 1—7
01

Build & Validate

From your first mentor session to a fully architected product — define, build, and legally structure your protocol in the first half of the cohort.

  • Weeks 1—2 · Foundation — Value prop, tokenomics, 1:1 mentor kickoff
  • Weeks 3—5 · Build & Iterate — Sprint with daily standups and engineering reviews
  • Weeks 6—7 · Legal & Tokenomics — Token design, compliance, jurisdiction strategy
Build & Validate
Weeks 8—9
02

Go-to-Market

Stop building in a vacuum — grow in public. Community, partnerships, and PR are engineered alongside the product, not bolted on after.

  • Community building playbook tailored to your ecosystem
  • Partnership introductions through the Zynaris network
  • PR strategy and media outreach with ecosystem integrations
Go-to-Market
Weeks 10—12
03

Fundraising & Demo Day

Sharpen your narrative, model your financials, and step onto the Demo Day stage — the most important pitch of your early startup life.

  • Weeks 10—11 · Fundraising Prep — Pitch deck, financial model, warm LP introductions
  • Week 12 · Demo Day — Present to 100+ VCs, family offices, and ecosystem funds
Fundraising & Demo Day
Program Benefits

What You Get

$250K—$1M
Pre-Seed Investment
Venture Capital from Day One

A pre-seed check from the Zynaris venture fund on founder-friendly terms — SAFE or equity, your choice. Investment decisions made within 30 days of Demo Day. Top teams receive term sheets on the day itself.

40+
Active Mentors
Operators Who've Done It

Protocol founders, token economists, legal experts, and ex-Tier 1 fund partners with weekly 1:1 availability. Every mentor has built or invested in crypto — no theory, only practice.

Included
At No Cost
Legal & Compliance Coverage

Dedicated legal counsel for token structuring, entity setup, and cross-jurisdiction regulatory compliance. Subsidized for all cohort members — a benefit worth $30K+ if sourced independently.

Lifetime
Network Access
The Zynaris Alumni Network

Access to 500+ founders, 100+ LP funds, exchange relationships, and ecosystem co-marketing. The network compounds — alumni actively back, hire, and collaborate with each other.

Demo Day & Investment

Zynaris commits to making an investment decision on every graduating cohort team within 30 days of Demo Day. Top teams receive term sheets on the day itself.

  • $250K—$1M pre-seed from Zynaris fund
  • SAFE or equity — founder's choice
  • Follow-on rights for high-performing alumni
Applications

Apply to Zynaris Accelerator

We review applications on a rolling basis. The next cohort kicks off in Q3 2026.

Application Received

Thank you for applying. We review all applications on a rolling basis and will be in touch within 2 weeks. In the meantime, feel free to join our community.

Frequently Asked Questions

We accept projects from pre-product through early traction. The sweet spot is a team with a clear thesis, some early code or research, and ready to build full-time.

Primarily remote, with optional in-person intensives at key moments — the kickoff week and Demo Day. We believe great founders exist everywhere.

Our standard pre-seed investment includes a 5—8% stake via SAFE or equivalent, with optional token warrants where applicable. We are founder-friendly.

Yes — hackathon participants receive a fast-track review and priority consideration. Top finalists are directly invited to apply.

Each Zynaris cohort accepts 10—15 teams. We keep cohorts small deliberately — every team gets direct, meaningful time with mentors.

There are no program fees. Infrastructure credits and legal support are provided at no cost to cohort teams.

Hackathon & Accelerator Alumni

Portfolio

Every project here started at a hackathon or in an accelerator cohort. From concept to protocol — these teams built in public and shipped what others only pitched.

Spotlight

Hackathon Winners · Accelerator Cohort Alumni

Stepn

Move-to-earn fitness app on Solana. Peaked at $4B FDV. Redefined the intersection of consumer apps and on-chain incentives.

↑ $5M Seed AI / Consumer
Jito Labs

MEV-aware Solana client and jitoSOL liquid staking. The infrastructure layer that powers validator economics across the network.

↑ $10M Series A Infra
Tensor

Professional NFT marketplace with AMM liquidity and order books. Became the dominant venue for high-volume Solana NFT trading.

↑ $3M Seed DeFi / NFT
IO.net

Distributed GPU compute network for AI and ML workloads. Aggregates idle GPU capacity from data centers and crypto miners globally.

↑ $30M Series A AI / Infra
Kamino

On-chain liquidity vault and lending primitives with advanced risk controls and capital-efficient DeFi strategies.

↑ Growth Stage DeFi / Liquidity
Drift

Perpetuals and advanced trading infrastructure focused on deep liquidity, low latency execution, and resilient market design.

↑ Growth Stage DeFi / Trading
Ondo Finance

Institutional-grade tokenized US Treasuries and money market funds on-chain. Bridges traditional fixed-income yields to DeFi participants globally.

↑ $46M Series A RWA / Tokenized Assets
Maple Finance

On-chain institutional credit marketplace connecting borrowers with lenders through smart contract loan pools. Over $2B in loans originated.

↑ $5M Seed RWA / Credit
All Alumni
Kamino
DeFi
Drift
DeFi · Perps
Light Protocol
Infra · ZK
Squads
Infra
Crossmint
Infra · NFT
Zeta Markets
DeFi · Options
Marinade
DeFi · Staking
Dialect
Infra · Messaging
TipLink
Infra
Portals
DeFi
Solend
DeFi · Lending
Genopets
AI · Gaming
ORE
Infra · Mining
SolanaFM
Infra · Explorer
Switchboard
Infra · Oracle
Sphere
DeFi · Payments
Centrifuge
RWA · Real-World Lending
Goldfinch
RWA · Emerging Market Credit
Parcl
RWA · Real Estate Indices
TrueFi
RWA · Uncollateralized Lending
Credix
RWA · Credit Markets
Emerging Projects
Atlas Credit
RWA · Tokenized Credit Rail
Homebase
RWA · Real Estate Tokenization
Bridgewater On-Chain
RWA · Tokenized Fund Access
Realio Network
RWA · Asset Tokenization Layer
ZK Identity Layer
Infra · Privacy & Identity
AgentOps Network
AI · Autonomous Agent Infra
Modular Data Mesh
Infra · DA / Interop
Nexus AI
AI · On-Chain Inference
VaultLayer
DeFi · Yield Abstraction

Want to join the portfolio?

Apply to the next Zynaris Accelerator cohort or compete in our Hackathon to earn your way in.

Zynaris Capital — Est. 2024

The Growth Engine of the Crypto Economy

Zynaris is an organization that integrates three pillars: Hackathon, Accelerator, and Venture Fund.

We run online hackathons for the broader Web3 ecosystem. We believe these competitions are the best mechanism for attracting and discovering the most talented crypto builders globally. Our multi-week hackathon provides founding teams a level playing field to showcase their potential to build crypto startups that will substantially increase onchain activity.

Our accelerator is hybrid, with two weeks in-person and six weeks online. The program is designed for hackathon winners to become embedded in the Web3 ecosystem, join an elite founder community, and receive 1:1 mentorship to reach breakout momentum with their startups.

Founding teams accepted into the accelerator receive an upfront investment of $250,000 from Zynaris. The program culminates with a private Demo Day where founders pitch their products to top VCs.

Core Team

Operators & Builders

Investors, engineers, and operators who have lived through the cycles and exist to back the next generation of Web3 founders.

Marcus Veltri
Marcus Veltri
General Partner

Ex-founder, 2x exits. Led investments at Tier 1 fund. Focused on DeFi and infrastructure primitives.

Sophia Hartmann
Sophia Hartmann
Partner, Investments

Former hedge fund PM. Deep expertise in tokenomics design and institutional DeFi strategies.

Daniel Osei
Daniel Osei
Head of Programs

Built and scaled two accelerator programs. Previously at a top-10 global startup accelerator.

Lena Kaczmarek
Lena Kaczmarek
Head of Engineering

Core contributor to two L1 protocols. Expert in ZK systems, EVM optimization, and cross-chain architecture.

James Whitmore
James Whitmore
Legal & Compliance

Crypto-native attorney. Advised 30+ token launches, DAO structures, and cross-jurisdiction regulatory filings.

Nadia Reyes
Nadia Reyes
Community & Ecosystem

Grew multiple Web3 communities past 100K members. Specialist in ecosystem BD and co-marketing campaigns.

Liu Xiaoyin
Liu Xiaoyin
Venture Partner

Early-stage investor and Web3 operator with a track record across DeFi, infrastructure, and consumer protocols. Sources deals across Asia and brings deep network access to portfolio founders.

@liuxiaoyin_io
Anwar Anu
Anwar Anu
Principal, Deal Flow

Sourced and evaluated 200+ deals across emerging markets and Web3 verticals. Operates at the intersection of founder networks and capital allocation — building the pipeline that fuels the Zynaris portfolio.

@AnwarAnu147
Kieran McLoughlin
Kieran McLoughlin
Member of Investment Committee

Veteran investor with 20+ years across traditional finance and digital assets. Former institutional PM with experience deploying capital across multiple market cycles. Brings rigorous due diligence and governance discipline to the Zynaris investment process.

@kieran_mcl_vc
Rolling Admissions — Open Year-Round

Eternal

Submit your Web3 product anytime to be considered for $250,000 in pre-seed funding, direct admission into Zynaris Accelerator, and the new Eternal Award.

Zynaris Eternal
Process / Steps

How It Works

A continuous, rolling admissions process — no deadlines, no cohort windows. Apply whenever you're ready.

Step 1
01

Fill Out the Form

Complete the application with your project details, team background, and goals. Tell us what you're building and why it matters.

  • Provide your project name, ecosystem, and product demo link
  • Share your team background and relevant experience
  • Include a link to your GitHub repository
Fill Out the Form
Step 2
02

Submit Your Application

Send your application for initial review by the Zynaris team on a rolling basis. No fixed deadlines — submit whenever your product is ready.

  • Applications are reviewed on a continuous rolling basis
  • No cohort windows or submission deadlines
  • Receive confirmation within 48 hours of submission
Submit Your Application
Step 3
03

Team Interview

Top candidates are invited for a 30-minute discovery call with the Zynaris team. We want to understand your vision, execution plan, and what makes your team unique.

  • 30-minute discovery call with a Zynaris team member
  • Discuss your product vision and go-to-market strategy
  • Opportunity to ask questions about the accelerator
Team Interview
Step 4
04

Get Accepted

Receive your acceptance decision and begin onboarding into the current cohort. Accepted teams gain immediate access to the full Zynaris ecosystem.

  • Decision delivered within 14 days of your interview
  • Begin onboarding into the active accelerator cohort
  • Access mentorship, funding, and ecosystem resources from day one
Get Accepted
About / Overview

What Is Zynaris Eternal?

Rolling Admissions, No Deadlines

Zynaris runs rolling admissions year-round, with no fixed cohort windows. Eternal is your opportunity to compete for the recurring Eternal Award, as well as admittance into Zynaris's accelerator program.

Whether you're a solo founder or a full team, submit your working product whenever it's ready. Every exceptional build has a path to the accelerator.

Awards / Prize Structure

Eternal Award Prizes

$25K
Sprint Award

A $25,000 cash prize awarded to the top-performing team in each sprint cycle. Recognizes outstanding product execution and innovation in the Web3 space.

$250K
Pre-Seed Investment

Up to $250,000 in pre-seed funding from the Zynaris venture fund. Founder-friendly terms — SAFE or equity, your choice. The fastest path from build to funded startup.

Admission
Accelerator Admission

Direct admission into the next Zynaris Accelerator cohort. Access 10—12 weeks of mentorship, legal support, infrastructure credits, and a Demo Day in front of 100+ funds.

Program Benefits

What You Get

$250K
Pre-Seed Funding
Capital from the Zynaris Fund

A pre-seed check from the Zynaris venture fund on founder-friendly terms. Investment decisions made within 30 days of your acceptance. No cap table surprises — SAFE or equity, your choice.

40+
Active Mentors
Mentorship from Operators

Protocol founders, token economists, legal experts, and ex-Tier 1 fund partners with weekly 1:1 availability. Every mentor has built or invested in crypto — no theory, only practice.

Always Open
Rolling Basis
No Deadlines, No Cohort Windows

Submit your application at any time. There are no fixed deadlines or cohort cycles — Eternal is always accepting new builders. Your application is reviewed the moment it arrives.

Lifetime
Network Access
The Zynaris Alumni Network

Access to 500+ founders, 100+ LP funds, exchange relationships, and ecosystem co-marketing. The network compounds — alumni actively back, hire, and collaborate with each other.

Don't wait — apply now

Apply for Zynaris Eternal and take your product to the next level with funding, mentorship, and top-tier resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any builder working on a Web3 or crypto product is eligible. Solo founders, small teams, and larger groups are all welcome. There are no geographic or chain-specific restrictions.

Zynaris Eternal is a rolling admissions program that allows Web3 builders to apply at any time — with no fixed deadlines or cohort windows. Accepted teams gain access to the Zynaris Accelerator and are eligible for the Eternal Award.

The Eternal Award is presented semi-annually to the team whose product innovation drives the entire Web3 ecosystem forward. All builders who successfully submit are eligible to win.

A working product — a live demo or testnet deployment. Pitch decks alone are not accepted. Your submission must include a product demo link, a brief project description, and a GitHub repository.

The Zynaris team evaluates product innovation, technical execution, ecosystem impact, and team capability. We look for builders who ship and iterate quickly with clear market potential.

No. All submissions are reviewed confidentially by the Zynaris team. Your project details are never shared without your explicit consent.

Acceptance is based on the quality and innovation of your submission. There is no fixed quota — every exceptional build has a path to the accelerator.

All submissions are reviewed within 14 days of your sprint end date. You will receive a decision via email regardless of the outcome.

Yes. You can submit multiple times as your product evolves. Each submission is reviewed independently, and prior submissions do not count against you.

We look for clean, well-documented code that demonstrates technical depth, a consistent commit history showing active development, and a working implementation of your core product.

Visit the Hackathon section of the Zynaris site to learn about upcoming events, schedules, prizes, and past winners.

Visit the Accelerator section of the Zynaris site for full details on the program structure, mentors, funding, and application process.