Core Ventures is proud to announce a new accelerator program, BTC-FI – an accelerator designed to spur innovation at the intersection of Bitcoin and decentralised finance (DeFi). Applications are now open and ambitious Web3 founders will have till late August to apply for this unique opportunity. Selected projects will join a focused cohort and have a chance to receive up to $100k in funding, hands-on mentorship, and access to a vast industry network to accelerate their growth from Day 1. The accelerator is supported by Harbour Labs many long-term builders recognise that now is the prime time to hone products without the noise of hype, and this accelerator aims to harness that momentum.

Why This Accelerator and Why Now?

In today’s evolving crypto landscape, Core Ventures is creating space for real innovation through its new accelerator. As a Bitcoin-focused early-stage fund, Core Ventures supports the Core ecosystem, backing early projects that are building in DeFi, infrastructure, and Bitcoin utility. This accelerator focuses on Core-native teams solving real-world problems with real use cases. Core is an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain secured by Bitcoin. It enables BTC holders to participate in consensus and earn real yield, including block rewards and gas fees, without giving up custody or altering their cost basis. This unlocks Bitcoin as a productive asset and lays the foundation for a new generation of DeFi — what many now call BTC-Fi.

Meanwhile, Harbour (by Trireme) brings a proven incubation and acceleration framework to help early-stage teams go from idea to product-market fit . “At Harbour, we immerse ourselves in your project, tailoring unique strategies to resonate with your milestones,” the Harbour team explains. Through hands-on due diligence, custom go-to-market planning, and tokenomics design, Harbour’s approach ensures founders get end-to-end support in building sustainable Web3 ventures. This founder-centric philosophy guides how we nurture each cohort. The focus is on collaboration and growth - “We succeed only when our founders succeed.”

Crucially, the timing is right. Despite broader market volatility, the next wave of retail participants is entering the space, and the focus is shifting back to real utility. Builders who move now are positioned to lead the next cycle. The Harbour x CoreDAO Accelerator is a call for builders to seize this moment and help shape the future of Bitcoin-integrated DeFi. Bitcoin remains the most widely adopted and institutionally recognized crypto asset, and its role in DeFi is only just beginning to take form. As industry momentum builds, we’re seeing the right conditions emerge — from new infrastructure breakthroughs to growing mindshare — that signal the next wave of meaningful innovation. This accelerator is designed to provide the capital, guidance, and community needed to turn bold, Bitcoin-aligned ideas into real products.

Focus Areas: What We’re Looking For

This program is guided by a clear thesis: to support the foundational DeFi pillars that will shape the Core ecosystem and meet the demands of the next wave of retail adoption. We’re looking for teams building across high-impact categories such as yield-generating protocols, trading applications, and launch platforms. Eight high-potential projects will be selected to join the program, with up to four receiving funding based on their alignment with Core’s long-term vision and the strength of their execution.
If your work fits within these categories, this is your call to apply:

1. Yield Protocols: As the next wave of retail users enters crypto, yield will be a key entry point. Bitcoin remains the most trusted and widely recognised asset in the space, and unlocking passive returns on BTC is a powerful on-ramp. We’re looking for teams building yield protocols that abstract away complexity and make earning with Bitcoin simple, safe, and accessible to everyone. Whether through staking, lending, or new mechanisms native to Core, the focus is on maximising yield while removing the barriers that have historically kept everyday users out of DeFi.
   
   
2. Trading Applications: DeFi trading is evolving quickly, and Core is primed to support the next generation of fast, fluid, and scalable trading experiences. We’re looking for teams building high-velocity trading infrastructure that can match the pace and expectations of modern crypto users. This includes anything from advanced execution layers to innovative trading frontends that prioritise speed, efficiency, and usability. As trading volumes grow and user sophistication increases, there’s a clear opportunity to build platforms that meet demand while staying true to the principles of decentralisation. If you’re building in this space, we want to hear from you.
   
   
3. Launchpads for Builders: Core is looking for launch platforms that simplify project onboarding and lower the barrier to entry for both creators and participants, helping the next wave of teams and users enter the BTC-Fi ecosystem.These platforms should enable responsible, accessible token or product launches that prioritise long-term value over short-term hype. Whether you're building tools for distribution, community activation, or aligned incentives, the goal is the same: empower more builders to launch and more users to engage with confidence.
4. High-Yield Growth Experiments: We're looking for bold experiments in incentive design that can attract users at scale while evolving toward sustainable value. As Bitcoin becomes more integrated into DeFi, there is space for high-yield products that can spark early traction and build strong network effects. We’re looking for builders who understand how to balance aggressive growth with long-term sustainability, and who can design mechanisms that engage users while aligning with Core’s broader vision. If you’re exploring new economic models or creative incentive loops, this accelerator offers a space to test and refine them.
   
   

Selective Investment & Founder-Centric Support

A total of eight teams will be selected to participate in the program. CoreDAO will deploy up to $100,000 in funding to selected projects that demonstrate strong alignment with Core’s long-term vision and the potential to drive meaningful impact within the ecosystem. Funding will be allocated based on execution, technical strength, and founder-market fit, with a focus on backing teams positioned to deliver real value over time. We prioritise quality over quantity. This program is designed to support teams that are deeply aligned with Core’s broader roadmap. Finalists will go through a clear and thorough diligence process that assesses both the idea’s merit and the team's ability to execute. Founders can expect structured feedback on areas such as token models, security, and go-to-market planning. Before any funding is committed, both sides will align on key milestones and metrics for success.

Once accepted, teams will plug into Harbour’s acceleration framework. This includes direct support across product development, strategy, and launch preparation. Participants will gain access to a global network of mentors, subject matter experts, and Core ecosystem partners to accelerate their build. This network includes seasoned builders in Web3, advisors across tech, marketing, and community, and connections to potential launch partners.

The program features weekly one-on-one sessions and workshops on critical topics such as tokenomics design, security audits, growth strategy, UX, and regulatory considerations. In short, we become an extension of your team for the duration of the program, fully aligned with your mission.

One of the key features of the Harbour x CoreDAO Accelerator is the built-in pathway to Core’s ecosystem. CoreDAO. CoreDAO is deeply committed to fostering its network’s growth, from technology support to community promotion. Projects in our cohort will have direct access to CoreDAO’s key contributors and resources. For instance, if you need to interface with Core’s Bitcoin bridging mechanism or explore the Satoshi Plus consensus for your product, we’ll facilitate that. While our accelerator is independently run, we’ll ensure you are visible to key stakeholders (including potentially exchanges, validators, and other investors in the Core community). The goal is to not only build on Core but to become a leading project of Core, integrated into its thriving “BTC-Fi” landscape for the long run.

How to Apply and What to Expect

Applications are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis via Core Ventures website. Founders or teams must submit a pitch deck and product information, along with details about your team, what you’re building, and any current traction. We encourage early submissions – if you apply early, we may reach out during the window to schedule interviews or provide feedback. The application window will run for six weeks, starting on July 21, after which we will swiftly finalise selections. Make sure your proposal clearly addresses why your project fits our focus areas and how it aligns with the Core blockchain’s capabilities. We’re keen to see evidence of your team’s expertise and commitment; whether it’s a prototype, smart contract code, or prior experience, show us why you’re the ones to execute this idea.

During and after applications close, our team will conduct interviews and due diligence with shortlisted teams. The team will consider technical feasibility, market need, innovation potential, and team dynamics when evaluating applications. By September, we plan to announce the eight selected projects as the inaugural cohort of the accelerator. The program itself will kick off shortly after (targeting late Q3 2025) and run for approximately 14 weeks of intensive support. It will be a mostly virtual program, open to founders worldwide (with potential in-person meetups or demo day depending on logistics). Each week will be structured with mentorship calls and check-ins, and over the 3 months, you’ll progress through refining your product, growing your community, and preparing for launch or next investment rounds. The program will culminate with a Demo Day, where teams will present to a curated audience of investors, Core ecosystem leaders, and the broader crypto community.

We view this accelerator as a partnership; our role is to amplify your strengths and support your growth with a program that is custom-tailored around your business and model, not a rigid curriculum. We acknowledge that each startup’s needs will differ. Some of you might need more help on token economic design; others might need business development introductions or help with front-end UX polish. Our mentors and team will adjust to give you bespoke support. We want you to come out of this program not just with a polished pitch, but with a strong product and community ready for the next phase (be it token launch, fundraising, or user growth).

Join Us – A Call for Builders

It’s a call for builders who share our excitement about the next chapter of Web3 on Core. If you’re a founder passionate about unlocking new primitives in staking, DeFi yields, trading, or Bitcoin-enabled dApps, we want to hear from you. The Harbour x CoreDAO accelerator offers a combination of deep crypto-native support and direct access to an emerging Layer-1 ecosystem that fuses Bitcoin’s strength with Ethereum-like flexibility.

“We are thrilled to partner with Harbour to empower the next generation of Core builders,” says a CoreDAO Core Contributor. “Harbour’s hands-on acceleration approach aligns perfectly with CoreDAO’s mission to foster real utility on the Core network. Together, we aim to accelerate projects that can become the cornerstone of BTC-DeFi – whether it’s innovative yield protocols or the first big Rune marketplace on Core.” The Harbour team echoes this enthusiasm: “CoreDAO’s ecosystem is where Bitcoin meets DeFi, and it’s ripe for experimentation,” says the Program Lead at Harbour. “Our accelerator will provide founders not just funding, but mentorship from day zero. We’ve tailored our program to be founder-focused – think of it like having an extended team of strategists, engineers, and growth hackers working alongside you. If you’re a bold builder with a vision that fits our focus, we encourage you to apply and set sail with us.”

The application period is now open.