Incubators/Accelerators - Navigating Scroll’s Growth Series

In this article, we focus on accelerators, examining how different programs operate to support early-stage projects, foster innovation, and drive ecosystem growth. By analyzing case studies from Magma African Accelerator, Celo Camp, Mantle Flagship Buildathon Programs (including Odisea, TON Ventures, and HackQuest), and SynergyLabs ICP Hub Accelerator, we aim to uncover key lessons and best practices. The objective is to explore how accelerators can serve as catalysts within the Scroll ecosystem, offering mentorship, resources, and funding to early-stage builders.

This is part of a case study research series to view more click here

Case Study:

Celo Camp

Overview

Celo Camp is an 5-week virtual accelerator and mentorship program designed to support entrepreneurs and developers building scalable businesses on the Celo blockchain. Run by Upright in partnership with the Celo Foundation, the program focuses on advancing financial inclusion, driving digital currency adoption, and accelerating startup growth within the Celo ecosystem.

Motivation

  • Drive adoption of projects that create real utility for the Celo blockchain.
  • Support startups building accessible, inclusive financial systems aligned with Celo’s mission.
  • Identify and nurture the next wave of builders, from early-stage founders to experienced developers.

Participants

  • DeFi and Financial Inclusion Projects: Teams working on DeFi primitives, uncollateralized lending, remittance solutions, wallets, and financial tools designed to expand economic access.
  • Impact-Driven and ReFi Startups: Projects focused on regenerative finance (ReFi), ESG initiatives, donations, UBI, and environmental impact.
  • Web3 and Open-Source Innovators: Builders exploring the creator economy, gaming, NFT marketplaces, social tokens, identity, reputation systems, and open-source infrastructure.

Key Activities

  • Learning sessions for personal and project growth
  • Bi-Mnthly Check in’s with Mentors
  • Camp Fireside Chats with industry experts
  • Demo Day presentation to investors

Impact

  • Over 400 founders have gone through the program.
  • Alumni projects have collectively raised $230 million in funding.

What Scroll Can Learn

  • Sessions for Personal and Project Growth: Scroll can learn from offering both growth sessions and optional prosper sessions, focusing on personal growth and community connection to enhance founder support.
  • Foster Meaningful Mentorship and Networks: Scroll can learn from Celo Camp’s mentorship model that connects teams with mentors and investors to strengthen project support.
  • Structured Programming Leading to Demo Day: Scroll can learn from Celo’s structured programming that guides projects towards a Demo Day.

What Scroll Can Do

  • Facilitate Community-Driven Peer Learning: Create spaces for peer-to-peer feedback sessions where founders can share challenges, exchange insights, and collaborate on solutions.
  • Establish a Structured Mentorship Framework: Create a dedicated mentorship program with clear roles, regular check-ins, and accessible expert networks to support project growth.
  • Integrate Personal Growth Tracks: Design optional sessions focused on founder well-being, leadership skills, and community-building alongside project development.

Resources

Mantle Flagship Buildathon Programs

Overview

The Mantle Flagship Buildathon programs support early-stage teams with technical and go-to-market resources, focusing on DeFi, payments, gaming, and cross-chain infrastructure. Operated in partnership with Odisea (LATAM growth), TON Ventures (cross-chain innovation), and HackQuest (developer education), these programs address regional expansion, technical scalability, and ecosystem integration.

Motivation

  • Support Growth of Founders
  • Drive Cross-Chain Innovation
  • Empower Developers with Web3 Skills

Participants

  • Regional Founders (Odisea): Early-stage teams in Latin America focused on DeFi, payments, and financial inclusion.
  • Cross-Chain Builders (TON Ventures): Projects developing DeFi, gaming, and infrastructure solutions with a focus on cross-chain interoperability.
  • Global Web3 Developers (HackQuest) : Technical teams and individuals seeking mentorship, education, and support in building decentralized applications.

Activity

  • Curated Programming
  • Hands on Learning Sessions
  • Mentorship
  • Fundraising

Impact

  • $5 million in funding allocated to support cross-chain application development between TON and EVM ecosystems. (TON)
  • $20,000 grants provided to top LATAM startups for scaling through Odisea’s Acelera program. (Odisea)
  • 12-week accelerator program supporting early-stage Web3 developers globally through HackQuest. (HackQuest)

What Scroll Can Learn

  • Outsource for Regional Impact: Scroll can learn from Mantle’s partnership with Odiseo, outsourcing to region-focused organizations that have closer ties to identifying and supporting regional talent and ecosystem growth.
  • Applied Learning with Real-World Projects: Scroll can learn from HackQuest’s approach to applied learning through hands-on, real-world projects.
  • Comprehensive Builder Pipeline: Scroll can learn from Mantle’s approach of combining education, acceleration, and funding opportunities to create a full support system for founders.

What Scroll Can Do

  • Implement Applied Learning Modules: Develop hands-on projects and mentorship opportunities to equip participants with practical blockchain skills and experience.
  • Provide Holistic Startup Support: Offer comprehensive business development assistance, including ecosystem integration and marketing resources, to accelerate project growth.
  • Develop Regional and Thematic Programs: Create programs focused on emerging markets or specific sectors like zk-rollups and privacy tech to attract diverse talent.

Resources

Magma Accelerator

Overview

Magma is a two-week, in-person residency program held in Kenya for Africa’s top blockchain founders. The program fosters the development of modular and interoperable Web3 solutions tailored to the continent’s financial and economic needs. It provides hands-on mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to funding opportunities, connecting participants with a global network of investors and ecosystem partners.

Motivation

  • Fragmented Ecosystem: Magma seeks to coordinate top founders and developers across Africa to drive Web3 adoption and collaboration.
  • Building Modular Solutions: Instead of monolithic platforms, Magma encourages startups to develop modular, interoperable solutions that work seamlessly together.
  • Bridging Local and Global Networks: Connecting African builders with global mentors, investors, and infrastructure providers to accelerate their impact.

Participants:

  • African blockchain founders, developers, and entrepreneurs building onchain financial and economic solutions tailored to the continent’s unique challenges.

Key Activities

  • Peer-Led Feedback Sessions – 24 founders engaged in 12 sessions to discuss roadmaps, challenges, and integration strategies.
  • Fireside Chats featuring industry leaders
  • Technical and Business Workshops

Impact

  • $2 Billion in Annual Transactions processed collectively by Magma alumni startups and serve more than 360,000 users across Africa.
  • 48 Founders, 26 Startups across two cohorts
  • 11 direct partnerships formed between participants,

What Scroll Can Learn

  • Deep Regional Focus: Scroll can learn from the importance of addressing specific regional challenges and customizing solutions to drive higher adoption and long-term sustainability.
  • Hands-On Support Model: Scroll can learn from structured workshops, office hours, and peer-to-peer learning approaches that foster stronger community ties and practical application.
  • Promote Modular Solutions : Scroll can learn from the value of modular solutions that allow for greater scalability and encourage cross-project collaboration within ecosystems.

What Scroll Can Do

  • Encourage Peer-Led Learning: Facilitate founder-led discussions to enhance knowledge-sharing, community building, and practical problem-solving among participants.
  • Expand Global-Local Partnerships : Build bridges between emerging market founders and global infrastructure providers to maximize impact and ecosystem growth.
  • Prioritize Real-World Problem Solving : Support projects addressing tangible, region-specific challenges, leveraging Scroll’s scalability for efficient, cost-effective solutions.

Resources

Case Study: SynergyLabs ICP Hub Accelerator

Overview

SynergyLabs ICP Hub Accelerator is a blockchain-focused program based in Thailand that supports developers, entrepreneurs, and startups building on the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP). The program provides structured mentorship, funding opportunities, and hands-on technical guidance to help participants navigate the Web3 ecosystem and scale their projects. The accelerator aims to empower participants by offering strategic insights into business conduct, marketing strategies, and financial planning.

Motivation

  • Supporting Startups: Transforming ideas into viable blockchain products with tailored support and funding.
  • Accelerating Adoption: Boosting project exposure within the ICP ecosystem for growth.
  • Fostering Collaboration: Building a network of like-minded professionals for innovation and engagement.

Key Activities

  • Workshops, mentorship, and pitch sessions with milestone tracking.
  • Grants of $3,000–$5,000 for MVP development.
  • Weekly sessions, 120+ hours of expert lectures, and feedback.

Participants

  • Early-Stage Startups
  • Growth-Stage Projects
    *Blockchain Developers

Impact

  • Grants of $3,000 to $5,000 awarded to selected projects for MVP development.
  • Participants receive over 120 hours of education and mentorship

What Scroll Can Learn

  • Structured Two-Phase Approach: Scroll can learn from the effectiveness of dividing programs into foundational and scaling phases, providing startups with a clear, goal-oriented roadmap for growth.
  • Targeted Funding Support: Scroll can learn from the impact of milestone-based grants, which ensure focused development, measurable progress, and efficient resource allocation.

What Scroll Can Do

  • Implement Milestone-Based Grants: Introduce structured funding tied to specific project development milestones to promote accountability and measurable outcomes.
  • Leverage Certification Incentives: Offer blockchain-based certificates (NFTs) to validate and recognize participant achievements, enhancing project credibility within the ecosystem.

Resources

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