Top 11 Startup Accelerators and Incubators for Web3 Founders

In 2025, startups backed by crypto accelerators and incubators continue to outperform the rest of the field. HubSpot reports that 87% of startups supported by incubators remain active after five years, compared to the global startup failure rate. Similarly, a Wharton study found that accelerator graduates are 3.4% more likely to raise venture funding and bring in $1.8 million more in first-year capital than those without such support.

These numbers prove what Web3 founders already know: in a market as volatile as Web3, structured support is survival. From token design to regulatory guidance, accelerators and incubators help bring sustainable innovation to the crypto and blockchain space.

Thus, we have prepared a list of the top 11 startup accelerators and incubators that are leading the crypto way in 2025.

Outlier Ventures (Accelerator)

 Outlier Ventures is often called the “Y Combinator of Web3,” and for good reason. It has accelerated over 300 Web3 startups, invested in more than 200, and created a network of 500+ investors and corporate partners.

The structured programs – Base Camp and Ascent Token Launch – are known for their intensity. Over three months, startups receive tailored support from product development to token design, go-to-market, community building, and fundraising strategy. Alumni include blockchain projects like Boson Protocol and Biconomy, which are now integral to the Web3 infrastructure.

Outlier’s credibility extends far beyond capital. Its thought leadership – from research reports to podcasts – shapes discourse on the open Metaverse and Web3 infrastructure. This intellectual capital adds brand weight for startups, boosting credibility with both investors and users.

Gate Labs (Accelerator)

 Backed by Gate.io, one of the largest exchanges in Asia, Gate Labs launched in 2021 to support emerging blockchain projects. This Web3 ccelerator department offers incubation programs, direct investment, and market entry support, particularly for founders targeting Asian user bases.

The strategic advantage is Gate.io itself. With over 13 million users globally, startups accelerated by Gate Labs often gain listing support and user adoption pipelines directly into one of the world’s most active exchanges. This immediate liquidity path is invaluable for token projects.

Beyond exchange access, Gate Labs provides training and one-on-one counseling with technical and regulatory experts. For Web3 founders aiming to expand in Asia, the combination of ecosystem knowledge and exchange leverage makes it an essential startup accelerator to watch in 2025.

DTC Group (Accelerator and Incubator)

DTC Group  has been a key player in Web3 acceleration since 2020, growing from a partner for early-stage startups into a global venture powerhouse. With 450+ success stories including 50+ projects ranked in CoinMarketCap’s top 500 and $300M+ capital facilitated, DTC helps founders ideate, incubate, and accelerate projects from tokenomics and compliance to launch strategy and global scaling.

What sets DTC apart is its world-class growth engine, with $30M+ in marketing spend executed and a reach of 5,000+ KOLs and communities worldwide, giving projects instant visibility and long-term growth.

As an ecosystem amplifier, DTC connects founders to 600+ partners, from top exchanges and launchpads to investors. Through DTC Labs, it has launched 10+ in-house ventures and hosted 40+ global events under its flagship Connecting The Dots, making it one of the most influential crypto accelerators today.

XFounders (Accelerator)

 XFounders stands out with its unique Startup Reality Show – combining entertainment with acceleration. Its four-week program brings Web3 founders face-to-face with top-tier Experts and Investors in offline, month-long Bootcamps

By making the startup journey visible, XFounders not only educates audiences but also creates strong early communities around projects. This social layer is a critical differentiator compared to more traditional accelerators.

For Web3 founders, the program is highly immersive, with a strong focus on product design, AI-Web3 intersections, and investor readiness. It’s a model built “by founders, for founders,” and in 2025, its hybrid of media + acceleration is worth watching closely.

a16z Crypto (Accelerator)

 Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) remains one of the most influential names in venture capital, and its crypto startup accelerator, Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX), has quickly gained prestige. The program aims to accelerate development and product-market fit for early-stage startups by providing $500K in capital, 10 weeks of intensive mentorship, and access to a16z’s world-class network.

The curriculum emphasizes core Web3 pillars – from tokenomics and compliance to user acquisition strategies. Founders are paired with a16z partners and alumni who bring operational experience from top crypto companies.

Another big advantage of this accelerator is the signaling value: being an a16z-backed founder instantly increases credibility with investors, exchanges, and enterprise partners. For many startups, CSX is less about the money and more about the brand equity.

Cointelegraph Accelerator (Accelerator)

 Launched in 2023, the Cointelegraph Accelerator offers up to $100K in investment, mentorship, and access to one of the most powerful media brands in crypto. Unlike other startup accelerators, its core differentiator is visibility: startups gain media exposure to millions of readers worldwide.

Cointelegraph leverages its editorial credibility to provide startups with storytelling and communication strategies. This ensures projects don’t just build – they also capture attention. Media amplification at scale can be as valuable as capital in Web3.

In addition to PR, the program includes investor introductions, strategic partnerships, and access to Cointelegraph’s network of service providers. It’s a rare blend of capital + marketing powerhouse.

ChainGPT Labs (Incubator)

 ChainGPT Labs backs some of the most ambitious Web3 builders, transforming visionary concepts into ventures with tangible market traction. Its incubation framework is designed as an end-to-end growth engine, combining technical tooling, funding pathways, go-to-market (GTM) support, and access to a wide network of industry leaders and investors.

This holistic approach of this startup incubator ensures founders don’t just launch products – they establish sustainable business models, secure community adoption, and enter markets with strong positioning. The ChainGPT Labs’ ecosystem includes legal, compliance, and tokenomics advisory, which are especially critical for founders navigating the complexity of Web3 fundraising and regulation.

The strength of ChainGPT Labs is evident in its roster of incubated blockchain projects, which includes standout names like ChainGPT, Cookie3, Kima Network, GT-Protocol, and more. With such alumni, ChainGPT Labs has proven itself not just as a supporter of early-stage ideas but as a launchpad that consistently delivers projects capable of shaping the broader Web3 landscape.

Animoca Brands (Incubator)

Animoca Brands has become almost synonymous with the rise of Web3, digital property rights, and the open Metaverse, and also operates a highly diversified digital asset treasury that includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), Toncoin (TON), MOCA Coin (MOCA), SAND, BNB, EDU, and several other holdings. In its work as a startup incubator, Animoca Brands goes far beyond traditional investment by offering hands-on support in digital asset advisory services, including token advisory, liquidity provisioning, and institutional research.

The company’s model focuses on creating synergies across its ecosystem. Founders not only receive strategic investment but also unlock opportunities to collaborate with Animoca Brands’ vast network of portfolio companies, which includes over 600 investments in industry leaders, including Pudgy Penguins, Polygon, Consensys, Magic Eden, OpenSea, Yuga Labs, Axie Infinity, Dapper Labs, YGG, and more. Animoca Brands and its Web3 ecosystem are also deeply involved in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), as seen in the co-development with ProvLabs of vault marketplace NUVA, in addition to initiatives such as the UK Web3 accelerator launched in partnership with Fabric Ventures, Coinbase, and Founders Factory.

With a portfolio that includes its own native projects to advance blockchain adoption, such as Moca Network, The Sandbox, Open Campus, and Anichess, Animoca Brands has incubated some of the most recognizable names in Web3. For founders, joining Animoca Brands’ orbit doesn’t just mean raising capital; it means plugging into one of the largest consumer-facing ecosystems in blockchain, where innovation, culture, and mainstream adoption intersect.

Bees Incubeetor (Incubator)

 Bees Incubeetor is Asia’s leading full-service blockchain Incubator, empowering Web3 startups in Vietnam and across APAC to thrive in the decentralized technology landscape. With deep roots in one of the most dynamic and fast-growing startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia, Bees provides founders with the tools and networks they need to thrive in the decentralized economy.

The program’s model emphasizes hands-on incubation rather than passive advisory. Founders gain access to tailored mentorship from experienced builders, targeted marketing and PR campaigns, and product development support aligned with regional market realities.

The incubator also introduces local Web3 startups to international investors, exchanges, and strategic partners, while also helping foreign Web3 companies enter the APAC region. For startups aiming to test products in mobile-first, high-adoption markets, Bees Incubeetor represents not just an entry point, but a partner for long-term regional growth and global expansion.

YZi Labs (incubator)

 YZi Labs is both an investment vehicle and an emerging crypto incubator driving innovation at the intersection of Web3, AI, and biotechnology. Founded as part of the evolution of Binance Labs into a more diversified family office structure, YZi Labs is led by a team with deep industry roots and global networks.

Unlike large Web3incubators and accelerators that often prioritize scale, YZi Labs focuses on smaller, high-quality cohorts, giving founders personalized attention and access to a mentor pool that includes Web3 pioneers, AI researchers, and biotech innovators.

By concentrating on early ecosystem builders and grassroots innovation, YZi Labs acts as a launchpad for projects that may otherwise be overlooked by mainstream accelerators.For Web3 startups aiming to make an impact at the crossroads of technology and society, YZi Labs represents a high-touch, high-potential path forward.

Bonus: Hooks Incubator by Atrium and Uniswap Foundation (Incubator)

For projects building directly on blockchain networks or exchange protocols, there are specialized incubation and acceleration initiatives. These programs are designed to provide not only funding and mentorship but also protocol-level access, technical alignment, and direct community integration.

One of such initiatives is Hooks Incubator. Launched by Atrium and the Uniswap Foundation, Hooks Incubator is here to support developers building on Uniswap v4. Designed with the spirit of a hackathon, the program offers structured lessons, guest lectures, and office hours with protocol experts.

For founders building in DeFi, this is direct access to the architects of one of the largest decentralized exchanges. That level of technical alignment ensures projects are built efficiently and securely within Uniswap’s ecosystem.

The model also helps foster community: by bringing Web3 developers together, Atrium strengthens Uniswap’s position as not just a DeFi protocol, but a hub for DeFi innovation.

In 2025, startup accelerators and incubators are no longer optional extras – they are the backbone of successful startup journeys. In Web3, where execution challenges are magnified by volatility and regulatory flux, the right accelerator or incubator can turn these challenges into opportunities. For those who choose wisely, these programs don’t just increase the odds of survival; they can be the catalyst that turns an ambitious idea into a category-defining project.

Disclaimer: This list is not ranked. It is intended for educational purposes only, as each accelerator and incubator brings unique strengths tailored to different projects of different stages.