Announcing Our 2024 Xcelerator Cohort Teams
Building further on UC Berkeley’s reputation as the premier blockchain university in the United States — now with 100 alumni teams securing $620M+ in follow-on funding — the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator is proud to announce its next cohort for 2024 — cohort 7! The program received 100+ applications for 10 available spots, making this selection process again one of our most competitive years to date!
With 10 teams from around the world and 3 teams with Berkeley ties, this cohort is working at the intersection of AI and decentralization, innovating in the areas of zero-knowledge, data management and distributed computing, as well as entertainment, reward programs, remittances and sustainability. We are excited to see their innovation as they work with us at UC Berkeley in 2024!
Please read on for more details on each team and visit our website for more insight on our Xcelerator.
AutoAPE is transforming Web3 investing with its autonomous agent, offering a virtual assistant that simplifies and enhances decentralized finance. Using natural language, users instruct AutoAPE to meet specific investment goals, like portfolio growth or stable income generation. Its proprietary AI system autonomously executes tailored yield farming strategies, optimizing investments in DeFi protocols. Unique features include decentralized training across edge devices for improved efficiency and privacy, alongside collaborative social investing options.
Combining the power of NFTs and smart technology, Belong enables the creation of private communities with bespoke branding across iOS, Android, and web platforms. Users can access exclusive content and events through token gating, a process where NFTs serve as keys to unlock online and physical experiences. Belong also simplifies the process of NFT minting and management, offering features like audited smart contract generation, branded mint page generation, and the ability to receive secondary royalties.
CoopHive
CoopHive presents a unique two-sided marketplace for compute power, driven by smart contracts that record deals, results, and provide mediation. Central to their innovative approach is the integration of autonomous agents, essential for managing and coordinating the vast array of tasks and actors within the network. This architecture supports diverse applications such as cooperative AI, federated learning, and supply chain management. CoopHive’s vision extends to creating a venture studio for distributed computing projects, where each project is empowered by its own dedicated token, tailored to specific use cases, thereby enabling a wide range of decentralized intelligence solutions.
ExaBITS is a decentralized computing power network, harnessing globally distributed GPUs to build a Web 3.0 infrastructure. Offering up to 80% lower costs than traditional services like AWS, and boasting zero downtime, exaBITS primarily serves the AI industry, addressing the need for accessible, affordable computing resources. The platform has successfully integrated over 65,000 GPUs into a decentralized cloud server and already has paying customers. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies for optimized resource allocation, exaBITS combines computing, storage, and network resources efficiently. The network uniquely adapts to varying computing power needs, ensuring operational continuity even in regional outages, thus providing robust and scalable solutions. Additionally, exaBITS’ blockchain-based incentive system enables global participation, setting it apart from conventional centralized computing services and fostering significant growth potential.
Giza is pioneering trustless AI in the blockchain ecosystem by enabling the provenance of AI models at scale. Utilizing zero-knowledge cryptography, Giza ensures that the outputs of machine learning models can be computationally proven on-chain. This innovation in verifiable machine learning allows models to generate cryptographic proofs, ensuring the integrity, performance, and provenance of their operations. Such verifiability enables users to trust the outputs generated by specific models, enhancing reliability across various applications including DeFi, gaming, security, and NFTs.
Glacier is developing a composable, modular, and scalable Layer 2 (L2) data network tailored for large-scale decentralized applications (DApps). This pioneering platform is designed to empower DApps by enabling them to build on decentralized databases (DDBs), providing a robust foundation for complex and data-intensive applications. Glacier’s unique offering includes programmable data composability, which is powered by advanced L2 rollup solutions. This feature allows for seamless and efficient handling of large datasets using NoSQL GlacierDB. The platform integrates seamlessly with various blockchain storage solutions like Arweave, Filecoin, and BNB Greenfield, offering developers flexibility and scalability. By leveraging these technologies, Glacier is set to revolutionize how DApps manage and process data, offering unprecedented efficiency and scalability in the blockchain ecosystem.
Lulubit is a trailblazer in Central America’s cryptocurrency landscape, serving as the first Crypto Ramp in the region. It bridges the gap between traditional banking systems and blockchain technology, facilitating seamless on-ramp and off-ramp transactions between local banks and cryptocurrencies. This innovative platform enables fiat to crypto conversions for remittances, offering low-cost access and integration with local financial networks. Positioned as a bridge between Web2 and Web3- a unique Web 2.5 concept- Lulubit is not only enhancing financial inclusivity but also advancing the region’s adoption of digital currencies. By connecting conventional banking with the decentralized world of blockchain, Lulubit is at the forefront of financial innovation in Central America.
PADO introduces a zkAttestation protocol design to integrate Internet data with Web3 smart contracts, enhancing their capabilities and offering new avenues for personal data monetization under strict privacy protection. It leverages advanced cryptographic techniques, including Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP), anchored by a team experienced in interactive zero-knowledge proofs (IZK). The protocol is set to revolutionize the way data is utilized in Web3, maintaining a strong focus on user privacy and data security. PADO will release both decentralized applications (dApps) and APIs, catering to end-users and developers, to seamlessly connect and share data with Web3 smart contracts.
Founded by two Berkeley alums, Sidechain is an innovative network and marketplace catering to creators, offering a platform to sell and token-gate onchain products and experiences. It employs a multifaceted revenue model, combining subscription fees for creators, transaction fees per NFT, and service fees from users, along with a percentage of net sponsorship revenue. Currently, Sidechain has secured 25 Letters of Intent, indicating strong market interest. This project responds to the evolving landscape where traditional advertising is losing ground to influencer and experiential marketing, meeting creators’ growing need for more effective audience monetization.
Twinu is leading the way in sustainable product management with its innovative patented technology that links physical products to their digital product passports. Addressing the requirements of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan, which calls for digital passports for most items, Twinu’s Circular Pass goes beyond mere compliance. This solution enables brands to trace their products throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to recycling, by creating digital twins that enhance product value and customer engagement. The platform includes comprehensive tools for creating digital product passports, analytical dashboards for improving circularity, and showcases for AI and IoT technologies. Utilizing digital twin technology, semantic AI, and blockchain, Twinu provides a secure and adaptable framework for companies striving to meet sustainability objectives and innovate in the realm of customer interaction.
Thank you for reading about our newest Xcelerator cohort teams and being part of our Berkeley blockchain community!
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Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator Newsletter
December 5, 2023
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