The DeFi space has witnessed explosive growth since the DeFi summer of 2020, and remains one of the most rapidly evolving sectors in Web3. While the large influx of venture capital funds into Web3 and DeFi in 2021 has made it easier for teams to raise funding, founders still struggle to find experienced investors that systemically leverage their expertise to support start-ups navigating the DeFi space in key areas. These include: attracting liquidity, developing the product, designing the token model, and building a focused community around the protocol in order to have a successful launch.
This is why Outlier Ventures is partnering with New Order, an incubator DAO formed with the goal of building a self-governing incubator positioned to assist DeFi innovation, to launch the DeFi Base Camp. The DeFi Base Camp is our first Base Camp accelerator program dedicated to a specific sector within Web3. Together with New Order, we will be launching 30- 40 DeFi startups across a number of different cohorts over the next two years, with the first cohort of projects set to begin this April.
Outlier Ventures’ accelerator programs help startups refine business strategies, reach product-market fit, stimulate community growth, and define token design and governance. Each cohort will consist of 8 – 10 startups, from different areas of DeFi, that will participate in the 12-week program. Cohort participants will gain access to Outlier Ventures’ and New Order’s network of leading DeFi and Web3 builders, mentors, and investors to support fundraising efforts, attract liquidity, and fast track growth. In addition, participating teams will receive investment from both Outlier Ventures and New Order at the outset of the program.
The DeFi Base Camp will nurture teams creating decentralized financial applications based around any of the following use cases and tooling:
DeFi protocols utilizing cross-chain composability and solutions – We are encouraging the development of infrastructure and applications in the DeFi space that not only help manifest a future of multi-chain DeFi but help enable it with cross-chain composability solutions.
- EVM to Non-EVM Bridges
- Cross-contract calling infrastructure
- Gas efficiency tools and composability layers
MetaFi applications, applying DeFi to the Open Metaverse (NFTs, gaming, etc.)
- NFTs as collateral for loans
- Digital real-estate derivatives
- Fashion derivatives
Projects that leverage other disruptive technologies such as AI/ML to power DeFi either on the infrastructure (oracles, bridges, custody etc.) or application layer (DEXes, lending, assets etc.)
- AI-powered oracles
- MEV, flashbots, front-running gamification
- ML-driven decision making smart contracts
Projects exploring the interaction between CeFi <> DeFi on-chain
- Permissioned/institution facing DeFi interfaces
- KYCed/Permissioned NFTs
- Permissioned liquidity pools
DeFi applications built on all chains including, but not limited to Solana, Cosmos, Polkadot, or Avalanche
- DEX aggregators
- Stablecoins
- Liquid staking DApps
Participating startups will gain exposure to both Outlier Ventures’ and New Order’s ecosystems, offering an unparalleled opportunity for founders to rapidly scale their technology and support base.
‘With Outlier’s industry-leading Web3 accelerator and New Order’s DeFi ecosystem, our DeFi Base Camp will launch exciting projects that will bring new DeFi products and user experiences to Web3 communities, CeFi, metaverses and more.’ – Eden Dhaliwal, Founder, New Order
‘We have been investing in DeFi for several years but it requires a very nuanced service provision and ecosystem activation which requires its own dedicated Basecamp program. New Order’s venture DAO was able to bring that together in a scalable way, and together we can really define a whole new category of DeFi, MetaFi.’ – Jamie Burke, CEO, Outlier Ventures
The Outlier Ventures Base Camp program has been accelerating blockchain startups since 2019 and has notable alumni such as DIA Data, Boson Protocol, NFT42, Cryptio, Crucible, among others who have collectively raised over $250m in seed capital.
Applications for the April cohort are now open and the selection for the first cohort closes on March 7th, 2022. The combination of New Order’s open and transparent public funding and development process with Outlier Ventures’ hands-on experience and pedigree in working with early-stage startups will ensure select DeFi projects get to market faster, supported by world-class collaborators. Founders interested in applying to the DeFi Base Camp can book online office hours with representatives from Outlier Ventures to learn more about the program or visit https://outlierventures.io/defi-base-camp
