TL;DR: Fundraising Accelerator (28/2), HKConsensusPitch (11/2), ETHDenverPitch (17/2)
Last week in NYC, I attended an SVB crypto briefing led by Anthony Vassallo.
The room was full of one clear signal:
Crypto is moving fast toward institutional-grade expectations whether founders are ready or not.
If you read SVB’s latest 2026 Crypto Outlook, the message is consistent:
Institutions are not “experimenting” anymore
Capital is becoming more selective
Governance, clarity, compliance, and narrative matter more than hype
Teams that look fundable get attention others don’t
Here’s the uncomfortable truth I see every week:
Many founders are building in the right trends, but pitching in a way that makes them un-investable for institutional capital.
Not because the product is bad.
But because the story, structure, and readiness are not there.
This is exactly why I am continuing applications to a Fundraising Accelerator.
If you are building along these institutional trends and want:
• to understand how investors actually evaluate you
• to become institutionally “ready”
• to avoid wasting months pitching the wrong way
• to get real intros and feedback
then this accelerator is designed for you.
Before you join an accelerator - test yourself
One thing I always recommend founders do before committing to any program:
👉 Try to win a pitch competition.
It’s the fastest reality check.
If you’re US-based, come pitch with us at ETHDenver:
If you’re outside the US, aim for Consensus Hong Kong.
Why this matters:
Pitch competitions expose you to how investors actually react, not politely, but honestly.
They show you where your story breaks.
They show you whether you’re interesting in the first 60 seconds.
And if that process feels hard, confusing, or random
that’s exactly the gap the accelerator closes.
⏳ Accelerator applications close
February 28
12 weeks
Max 10 founders
Focus on institutional readiness, fundraising strategy, and Demo Day
Three models: equity/tokens, paid, or hybrid
Start: first week of March
If you’re planning to raise in 2026, this is the moment to act, not in “a few months.”
A final thought (to cheer you up)
If you’re building in crypto right now, you’re not late
you’re early to the next version of the market.
Capital is still there.
Interest is still there.
But the bar is higher.
And the good news?
The founders who prepare properly now will have a massive advantage.
If that sounds like you let’s talk.
First batch of Applications is reviewed on January 31.