Brinc, a global venture accelerator, and The Sandbox Metaverse Accelerator Program, have joined forces to create the Sandbox Metaverse Accelerator Program. Brinc has received $50 million from the Sandbox to fund the program, which will help 100 startups develop the open metaverse. The first cohort will begin in Q2 2022.
The Sandbox cofounder Sebastien Borget said, “The Sandbox’s Metaverse Accelerator represents a major expansion to our ongoing commitment support the next generation metaverse entrepreneurs.” Startups from all corners of the globe can achieve their visions, drive social impact, and create more opportunities for everyone with imagination, ideas, hard work and determination. We are especially interested in supporting underrepresented founders in achieving their dreams.
What’s The Sandbox Metaverse Accelerator Program ()?
Over a three-year span, the Sandbox Metaverse Accelerator program will support between 30 and 40 startups each year. The program is specifically targeted at startups that will enhance the open metaverse. An open metaverse is based on shared values. It has transparent, open, and decentralized governance.
Yat Siu (executive chairman, co-founder of Animoca Brands) stated that the open metaverse is not owned by any one entity. This presents an amazing opportunity to create a participative and collaborative nonzero sum environment based on openness and equitability, user governance and digital property rights.
The Sandbox Metaverse Accelerator program’s core purpose is to help startups contribute to the “growth of The Sandbox ecosystem.” The program will assess each startup on the basis of its “traction”, technical expertise, and ability deliver unique experiences.
The program will support, mentor, educate and support promising projects and startups. It will also offer potential partnerships with The Sandbox, Animoca Brands and Brinc. It will also offer mentorship opportunities with some of the most prominent mentors in the industry. Holly Atkinson is the lead blockchain developer at The Sandbox. Janine Yorio is CEO of Republic Realm. Leah Callon Butler, director of Emfarsis. Yam Karkai is cofounder of World of Women.
Startups that are interested in art, collectibles or culture, as well as entertainment, gaming, media and content streaming, can apply. Each startup will be eligible for an initial investment up to $250,000. The Sandbox will also provide grants up to $150,000 in SAND tokens for the top startups. They will also be eligible for LAND grants.
You can apply now at: brinc.io/metaverse.
Animoca Brands x Brinc
Animoca Brands, the owner of The Sandbox, has previously partnered with Brinc Launchpad Luna to launch NFT accelerators in July 2021. The accelerator invested and mentored NFT and blockchain startups. The program supported 27 startups in the culture, art and entertainment, media, gaming, streaming and collectibles sectors.
Animoca Brands also raised 358,888,888 in order to build the open metaverse . Liberty City Ventures was the lead of the round, with participation from C Ventures and Delta Fund, Gemini Frontier Fund, 10T Holdings, C Ventures and others.