The Cardano Launchpad: Powering a Cardano Web3 + AI Ecosystem to Scale the Next Generation of Builders, supports high-potential builders and projects at the intersection of Web3 and AI building on the Cardano blockchain.

The program offers two tracks: Incubation and Acceleration, providing tailored support at different stages of a builder/ startup’s journey, with shared planning and post-program support for continued success.

Phase 0: Planning & KPIs (~4 weeks):

• Goal-setting, defining KPIs, and ensuring alignment with Cardano’s vision to ensure alignment on goals and targets.
• Identify resources and experts, outlining mentors, experts, AI professionals, and technical support available for the program.

Track 1: Acceleration Track: The Acceleration Track is for existing high potential Cardano projects ready to scale. This track focuses on refining business models, securing venture funding, and leveraging AI to accelerate growth.

• Phase 1A: Scouting & Selection (~8 Weeks): Antler will run a global campaign to identify and select 10 high-potential startups within the Cardano ecosystem for acceleration, focusing on those with scalable solutions and AI integration potential.
• Phase 1B: Launchpad Program (~8 Weeks): The Launchpad Program will run over 4 weeks (virtually and offline for last week and Demo Day), helping startups refine their commercial viability, integrate AI, and pitch to investors. Startups will participate in a Demo Day and a Reverse Pitch Session with corporates, fostering investment and partnership opportunities.

Track 2: Incubation Track: Designed to create and build new businesses on Cardano, the Incubation Track will identify high-potential founders interested in building their next venture on Cardano. In addition to that, Antler will keep an ADA reserve of ADA 100,000 to support the development and experimentation with the Cardano blockchain of those new projects. (e.g. fund ADA gas fee, etc.)

• Phase 2A: Identifying Key Problem & Opportunity Statements (~4 Weeks): Antler to organize workshop with DeFi and AI experts to identify real-world problems and key opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem, focusing on AI-driven solutions.
• Phase 2B: Antler Inside (~12 weeks): Leveraging the identified problem statements, Antler will identify high-potential founders interested in building solutions around them and embed them into Antler’s residency program (in selected location such as Japan, India, Dubai, etc.) to rapidly validate ideas and lay the foundation for scalable businesses using Cardano and AI. During the residency, founders will receive continuous support from Antler and Cardano experts to develop and refine their solutions, including guidance on integrating AI and blockchain technologies.
• At the end of the program, they may be eligible for funding from Antler, its VC partners, and/or the Cardano Treasury (optional).

Phase 3: Post-Program Support (Continuous for Both Tracks):

• Projects in both tracks will gain access to potential PoC support from corporates and investment. If invested in by Antler, projects will receive continuous portfolio support, including access to coaches, experts, and perks.
• The Cardano Launchpad Program supports startups at various stages of development—whether ideating in the Incubation Track or scaling in the Acceleration Track.

By combining Cardano’s blockchain with Antler’s venture-building expertise, the program fosters innovation, drives high-impact projects, and positions Cardano as a leader in the Web3 and AI ecosystem.

• While Cardano projects are technically strong, they face several challenges in scaling and achieving commercial viability, including a lack of focus on commercial viability, low visibility and credibility, and limited access to large enterprises for proof of concept (PoC). Additionally, with the rapid advancements in AI, there is a significant opportunity for Cardano to support projects in leveraging this trend and becoming AI-ready.

• This proposal aims to address these challenges by partnering with Antler, the world’s most active venture builder and leading AI investor, along with its corporate innovation platform, Ibex. Through this partnership, Cardano can enhance its ecosystem by increasing the number of commercially - and AI-ready projects on its blockchain, leveraging our dual incubation and acceleration approach.

This initiative will drive significant value for the Cardano ecosystem and community by focusing on:

1. Building a Web3 + AI ecosystem for Cardano, to support and scale the next generation of projects and builders on Cardano.

• Accelerate ~10 Cardano projects, ensuring they are AI and commercially-ready, through a 4-week, high-paced program with access to resources, mentorship, and networks for growth.
• Incubate 4-5 new high-potential projects built on Cardano, leveraging Antler's proven venture-building engine in selected locations and large pool of exceptional builders.

2. Enable potential introductions for enterprise PoC and future funding to facilitate faster scaling and market adoption.
3. Generating new intersect members from the startup and Antler communities, enriching the Cardano ecosystem with valuable expertise and connections.
4. Creating marketing/PR opportunities to boost Cardano’s visibility and credibility
5. Developing an AI/Web3 scaling playbook for Cardano companies that can be reused and continuously educate Cardano founders.

Phase 0: Planning & KPIs

• A project plan with specific goals and measurable KPIs for both the Incubation and Acceleration Tracks.
• A resource allocation plan outlining mentors, experts, AI professionals, and technical support available for the program.

Phase 1A: Acceleration Track – Scouting & Selection

• A list of 10 selected high-potential Cardano projects chosen for the acceleration program, based on readiness and alignment with program goals.
• A scouting report documenting the selection process and rationale for the chosen projects.

Phase 1B: Acceleration Track – Launchpad Program

• 10 Cardano projects accelerated, with focus on refining commercial viability, AI integration, and enterprise POC readiness.
• Demo Day presentation deck featuring each accelerated startup, their pitch to investors, and feedback received.
• A post-Demo Day report outlining potential PoC and funding opportunities

Phase 2A: Incubation Track – Identifying Key Problem & Opportunity Statements

• Documented problem and opportunity statements for innovation in the Cardano ecosystem, validated by DeFi and AI experts.

Phase 2B: Incubation Track – Antler Inside

• 4-5 new companies created leveraging Antler Inside model. Antler will identify approximately 10 founders interested in building solutions around the defined Web3 and AI problem statements, embedding them into selected residencies (Tokyo, India, Dubai, etc.) to develop Cardano and AI-based solutions. These ventures may receive potential investment from Antler, its partners, and/or the Cardano Treasury (optional).
• A post Antler Inside report with detailed plans for the next steps for each new company, including continuous support from Antler and Cardano experts.

Phase 3: Post-Program Support (Continuous for Both Tracks) (~8 weeks)

• An AI/ Web 3 scaling Playbook for Cardano companies, offering practical insights and tools for building AI-enabled, Commercially-ready projects on Cardano.
• A portfolio support plan for ongoing assistance to companies, including regular check-ins, expert advice, and funding opportunities.

• Labour costs/ compensation
  • Partner time (3 partners - 10% of time for 8 mths): USD 138,929/ ADA 277,859
  • Associate Partner time (30% over 8 mths): USD 137,214/ ADA 274,428
  • Program lead/ Director (1FTE for 8 mths): USD 205,821/ ADA 411,642
  • Program execution manager (1FTE for 8 mths): USD 205,821/ ADA 411,642
  • Program Associate (1 FTE for 8 mths): USD 137,214/ ADA 274,428
  • Expert time (access to multiple expert pool): USD 200k/ ADA 400k
• Marketing & events (Marketing campaign, founder outreach, demo day) -USD 200k/ ADA 400k
• Travel & expenses (Team and startups travel costs) -USD 185k/ ADA 370k
• General & Admin (e.g. for material and collateral development, etc.) -USD 90k/ ADA 180k
• Access to Antler platform (classes, coaches, founders, etc.) -USD 450k/ ADA 900k
• ADA reserve for projects incubated (to support PoC 20k ADA per startup) - USD 50k/ ADA 100k

The project is estimated to take ~8 months, until December 2025, broken down in the following phases (see detailed timeline in proposal PDF slides attached)

• Phase 0: Planning & KPIs(~1 month)
• Phase 1: Acceleration track (~4-5 months)
• Phase 2: Incubation track (~5-6 months)
• Phase 3: Post-Program Support (~2-3 months)

In terms of resources, we will allocate a dedicated team to run and implement this program, including:

• 1 program lead director
• 1 scouting lead, and program execution manager
• 1 program delivery Associate

Those will be supported by Antler resources, and access to experts and coaches, and partners, including:

• Support from the Ibex - Corporate innovation team
• Support from Antler local residency team
• Support from Antler experts and coaches
• Support from experts for Web3 topics

Cardano foundation is expected to allocate 1 key person of contact to ensure proper delivery and help Antler navigate the Cardano ecosystem, as well as provide access to the right relevant experts, introductions when necessary

• World most active investor and venture builder, having built and invested in more than 1,500 companies worldwide (LINK)
• World most active AI investor (LINK), having deep experience in building AI companies
• Run every year, more than 50 accelerator programs all around the world, leading to more than 400 new business build per year
• Created more than 25 companies for corporate partners
• Ran similar 4 weeks high paced program, focusing on AI (Antler Disrupt - See here)
• Build more than 40 web3 companies (See supporting documents for exemple)

Projects accelerated through this program will receive continuous support from the Antler platform if invested.

In addition, an AI & Web3 scaling playbook for Cardano companies will be developed, which can be reused to continuously educate Cardano founders.

Antler Ibex team took part in the Cardano Summit in Dubai in 2024. This included:

• Joining on stage panel discussion on “Fueling the Disruptive Innovation of Web3 through Fundraising and Acceleration” (LINK)
• Conducting a masterclass for Cardano founders on “From Ideation to Scale: Early-Stage Growth Strategies from Antler” (LINK)
• Meeting and 1:1 discussions with 7+ Cardano projects, that lead to individual coaching sessions, and pitch review for potential VC funding

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