Over the course of ten weeks, 12 startups from 8 different countries and 4 continents participated in the first CV Labs Incubation Program in the Crypto Valley in Zug. The first batch of incubatees successfully passed the graduation and received funding of up to $125,000 in exchange for 10% of equity by the venture capital company CV VC. During various events, they had the opportunity to present in front of over 100 investors and industry experts, which has led to partnerships with corporates for some of the startups.
It is the beginning of a new era in the Crypto Valley: Promising blockchain-related ideas and projects from all over the word participated in the first tailor-made ten-weeks-program in the most vibrant blockchain ecosystem. Young entrepreneurs were connecting with and learning from over 60 leading blockchain mentors and experts. Out of 600 applications from 35 countries, the 12 selected startups started their incubation program in April. It ended in July with the demo day, a graduation party and CV VC’s exclusive Investor Circle event with prominent Swiss and international investors at the Dolder Grand in Zürich.
Next financing rounds: From $500,000 to $2 million from local and international investors
All startups are now preparing their next financing rounds, from $500,000 to $2 million with valuations hitting $10 million. Over the last weeks, they had the unique opportunity to pitch in front of over 100 investors and industry experts on several occasions.
Founder and CEO of CV VC (Crypto Valley Venture Capital), Mathias Ruch says:
«We are very happy with the outcome of our first incubator batch! The tailor-made CV Labs Incubation combines the most promising blockchain use cases with investors and corporates – it clearly meets a need. All our participants were able to sharpen their business idea and build business cases, POCs, MVPs and prototypes that convince the industry. That is why CV VC invested in all of them. It makes me proud to see that the program led to new clients and investors for all participants.»
Olaf Hannemann, co-founder and CIO of CV VC adds:
«What excited me most was the international reach we achieved with this first program and the broad range of use cases of our startups, signaling the innovation potential of blockchain technology across many sectors. The fact that we have been able to secure one investment – Tezure – jointly with the North American investment firm Draper University Ventures, L.P. further exemplifies our global ambitions from a strong Swiss base.»
The CV Incubation program consists of four main pillars:
- Bootcamp: Pitch training, strategy refinement, team set up, company culture and co-founding best practices
- The tech module: Blockchain technology overview, token economy and game theory units and meeting the protocols
- Business module: Legal, finance, sales, marketing, and operational excellence
- Networking and investor meetings
Several startups attained formidable traction during the program, which materialized in partnerships with corporates, paying clients and Proof of Concepts with media houses in both Switzerland and beyond.
Batch number 2 coming this winter
Lead of the CV Labs Incubation Program and ecosystem, Pavel Jakovlev, says:
«It was an incredible honor to work with some of the brightest minds that the blockchain ecosystem has to offer. We strive to create opportunities for founders to excel across the board and welcome new, revolutionary ideas to join our subsequent batches. The future will be built on blockchain.»
The applications for the second CV Labs Incubation Program, BATCH_02, are now open. More than 200 applications from different countries are already in the pipeline. CV Labs aims to launch the second incubation program in Fall this year.