Project Catalyst
RecurringGrant
Grants from Cardano's community innovation fund
- Builders at any stage, per the round's brief
Programs
Apply for funding
Tell us where you are, and we'll show the programs that fit.
- I have an idea
- I have a product
- I contribute to open source
Grants and early funding
Grants and first checks for getting an idea off the ground.
Genesis Pre-Accelerator
RecurringAccelerator
Four weeks in Silicon Valley to turn a concept into a product
- Early-stage technical builders
- Up to $20,000 per team
Cardano PRIME
OpenGrant
Grants and incentives for DeFi protocols
- Live DeFi protocols on Cardano
- $5.6M in ecosystem grants
Cardano Treasury
OpenTreasury proposal
Larger projects, funded by on-chain vote
- Mature projects and shared infrastructure
- 100,000 ada deposit, refunded after the vote
Accelerators and investment
Programs and capital for teams with something to show.
Cardano Accelerator Program
RecurringAccelerator
A cohort, mentorship, and a Demo Day for early startups
- Registered startups with a live product
Apex Growth Accelerator
RecurringAccelerator
Ten weeks in Silicon Valley, up to $70,000
- Founders with a live product
- Up to $70,000 per team
SDG Blockchain Accelerator
Open until Sep 30Accelerator
Put your solution to work with UNDP country teams
- Working solutions for public-sector needs
Orion Fund
OpenVenture capital
An $80M fund investing from acceleration to Series A
- Startups ready to raise
For contributors
Get paid to maintain the software Cardano runs on, or build something at a hackathon.
Maintainer Retainer Program
OpenRetainer
Ongoing pay for the people who maintain core repositories
- Maintainers of established tools
Hackathons and bounties
OpenHackathon
Build something in a weekend and win prizes
- Individuals and small teams
How to apply
Three steps, whichever program you choose
- Pick a program that fits
Ideas go to Catalyst or a hackathon, products to an accelerator, and infrastructure work to Intersect or the treasury.
- Plan your milestones and budget
Every program here pays against results, so be clear about what you'll ship, when, and what it costs.
- Apply on the official site
Only use the links in the program details. No real program will ever ask for your recovery phrase.
FAQ
Is anything missing?
Possibly. This page lists the programs we know about, and terms change, so always confirm the details on the program's own site. If something is missing or out of date, open an issue or a pull request.
Do I have to give up equity?
Not for grants, Catalyst, treasury proposals, retainers, or hackathon prizes. Venture funds and some accelerators do take equity. Where the terms are public they are in the program details, for example Apex's $70,000 for about 3.5%.
Who decides what gets funded?
It depends on the program. Catalyst rounds are decided by ada-holder vote or, as in the current pilot, by a panel of community experts. Treasury proposals go to DReps and the Constitutional Committee under the constitution. Accelerators, funds, and Intersect committees have their own selection processes, described on their pages.