We’re excited to accelerate and invest in the next generation of ZK builders

We provide the most relevant support in accelerating and investing in the next wave of ZK builders

 

LongHashX Zero-Knowledge Accelerator Cohort

LongHashX provides the knowledge, network, and funding for builders to launch their projects on the leading ZK ecosystems or for builders with compelling ZK use cases.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we highly encourage you to apply early. The deadline of application submissions is approaching fast, and will close in:

 
 

Supported by leading ZK ecosystems

Mentorship and support from founders and senior members of zkSync, Scroll, Linea, Herodotus, Taiko, RISC Zero, Elusiv, Manta and others.

Access to mentors

 

  • Teams under the ZK Accelerator program will be granted unrivalled access to the mentors from the leading ZK ecosystems who offer valuable advice and support in topics such as engineering, product development, startup building etc.

Facilitated and expedited grant application

 

  • Applications to the grants offered by the ecosystems will be reviewed by LongHashX team, and selected applications will be given fast-track considerations

Ecosystems’ builders community

 

  • Selected teams will have access to the invite-only builders’ communities which offer teams access to additional opportunities

Projects we are looking for

We are particularly interested in novel verticals that leverage ZK’s unique properties:

Scalability

 

Use cases on top of ZK scalability solutions (e.g., zkEVMs, zkVMs, zkWASM)

Privacy

 

dApps which allow for private inputs and preserved anonymity across verticals such as DeFi, gaming and ZKML

Identity

 

Social and identity management which authenticates users’ identity without compromising privacy

Public goods/tools

Tools or systems that can accelerate ZK adoption

Most Web3-Native Curriculum

The program provided the most comprehensive Web3-native curriculum across 3 key segments over the course of 12 weeks.

Week 1-4:
Product Design & Strategy

 

  • Problem definition

  • Competitive positioning

  • Zero Knowledge (ZK) in Blockchain

  • ZK ecosystem support

Week 5-8:
Go-To-Market

 

  • Community building

  • Marketing and partnerships

  • Tokenomics and decentralization design

  • Smart contract security

Week 9-12:
Fundraising

 

  • Pitch narrative design
  • Demo day prep
  • Investor meeting preparation
  • Web3 legal considerations

Two tracks to choose from

25-30 projects will be invited to join one of our two tracks: The ZK Accelerator Program, for 5 venture-backable teams, and the ZK Builder’s Fellowship, for 20-25 earlier-stage teams and those building public goods and tooling.

ZK Accelerator Program

12-Week Program

 

  • Structured Web3-native curriculum delivered through fireside chats and workshops with leading Web3 experts on ZK ecosystem, Web3 Product Design & Strategy, Tokenomics & Governance, Community Building, Fundraising, and Web3 Legal

  • Dedicated LongHashX Venture Builder who meets you weekly and acts as a thought partner to identify and problem-solve on your toughest challenges as an early-stage Web3 builder

  • Introduction to top tier investors and opportunity to pitch at Demo Day

Access to Network

 

  • Access to LongHash Web, our soulbound token-based on-chain contribution network, with 50+ Web3 founders, investors, and devs, who provide weekly mentor office hours
  • Access to LHX ZK Cohort Mentors from ZK ecosystem partners such as zkSync, Scroll, Linea, Herodotus, Taiko, RISC Zero, Elusiv, Manta and others for direct technical and ecosystem support

Investment

 

  • US$100K investment from LongHashX
  • Opportunity for additional, discretionary investment from LongHash Ventures after Demo Day

ZK Builders’ Fellowship

12-Week Program

 

  • Structured Web3-native curriculum delivered through fireside chats and workshops with leading Web3 experts on ZK ecosystem, Web3 Product Design & Strategy, Tokenomics & Governance, Community Building, Fundraising, and Web3 Legal
  • Mentor Office Hours with LongHashX Venture Builders who will problem-solve with you and provide guidance on your Web3 builder journey

Support in ZK building

  • Access to the builder communities with ZK Ecosystem Partners’ such as zkSync, Scroll, Linea, Herodotus, Taiko, RISC Zero, Elusiv, Manta and others for technical and ecosystem support

Grant Support

  • Facilitation of a fast-tracked application review in securing ecosystem grants

Testimonials

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of the LongHashX ZK Accelerator?

As one of the five projects under ZK Accelerator Program, you receive funding of US$100k, a 12-week structured program covering Web3-native topics, the opportunity to pitch to investors during Demo Day, and access to LongHash Web – our on-chain contribution network which connects you to LongHash Ventures’ and ZK ecosystem partners’ extensive network of investors, founders, and tech specialists.

 

As one of the 20-25 projects under ZK Builders’ Fellowship, you will be invited to workshops and Fireside Chats covering Web3-native topics, access to the communities of ZK ecosystem partners, and a fast-tracked application review in securing ecosystem grants.

Is the LongHashX ZK Accelerator right for me?

The LongHashX Accelerator Cohort 11, in partnership with ZK ecosystem partners, will accelerate early-stage projects that use ZK technology/ZKPs, but also other projects that are building on ZK ecosystems. Startups that join the program will get exposure to a network of investors, founders, and tech specialists from ZK ecosystems such as zkSync, Scroll, Linea, Herodotus, Taiko, RISC Zero, Elusiv, Manta and others on how to build a compelling ZK use case.

What are the investment terms?

The 5 projects joining the ZK Accelerator will receive US$100K from LongHashX in exchange for 2% of equity and future total token supply. Additional funding from LongHash Ventures is available at LongHash Ventures’ discretion for select teams, after Demo Day.


For earlier-stage teams that are not ready for fundraising, we welcome you to join the ZK Builders’ Fellowship with no investment obligation.


For later-stage teams which are planning to or have raised at a valuation higher than $5M, we welcome you to apply to our LongHash Ventures fund. Please feel free to fill up this interest form: https://longhashventures.typeform.com/LHVApply.

Why is LongHashX the right early-stage accelerator and investor?

LongHashX is the world’s leading Web3 accelerator. We partner with the leading Web3 ecosystems and infrastructure protocols to build their developer communities by funding and venture building with early-stage founders.

 

LongHashX is part of LongHash Ventures, one of Asia’s leading Web3 VC funds, investing in a multi-chain future, with notable investments including zkSync, Safe, Polkadot, Acala, Astar, Balancer, Instadapp, Xanpool, and Zapper.

How long is the program?

The program is 12-week long for both the ZK Accelerator Program and ZK Builders’ Fellowship.

What happens at the end of the program?

Post Demo Day, for projects under the ZK Accelerator Program, we will connect you to investors who register an interest in meeting you, and we will provide you guidance on your fundraising round. You will also become part of LongHashX’s portfolio and alumni network, and the wider LongHash Ventures network.


For projects under ZK Builders’ Fellowship, we will closely monitor your progress and traction, and we will provide fast-track consideration for future LongHashX cohorts or for funding from LongHash Ventures.

When do applications close and when does the program start?

Applications are open until end of September and the program starts mid October.

Which verticals are LongHashX most excited about in this ZK cohort?

LongHashX is particularly interested in exploring novel possibilities and verticals that leverage ZK’s unique properties:

 

– Use cases that can be unlocked by building on ZK ecosystems (e.g., zkEVMs, zkVMs, zkWASM and others).

 

– DeFi dApps which allow for private inputs, including verifiable off-chain strategies, without revealing the underlying model or algorithm. Additionally, dApps that enable seamless composability with one another.

 

– On-chain games which enable private inputs or game strategies, off-chain computation of the game state, and composability with other ZK use cases.

 

– Social and identity management which leverages ZK technology for the authentication of users’ identity, on-chain NFT/ asset holdings, and on-chain/off-chain actions for privacy-preserving access control and voting purposes.

 

– Other verticals which could be disrupted by ZK technology or accelerate ZK adoption are also welcomed. Some examples include ZK-Machine Learning (ZKML), new ZK proof systems, developer tooling (e.g., libraries, SDK/APIs etc.) and others.

Where is the program located?

The program is remote and conducted virtually, which allows us to take in projects from all over the world. Depending on travel and border restrictions, there may be opportunities for in-person meet ups in Asia and other parts of the world.

Is the program open to startups globally?

Yes, geographic location is not an acceptance criteria and we consider teams globally. We have program alumni from the US, Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Is the program free?

Yes! The program is completely free.

© 2023 by LongHash Ventures