Call for Mentors: Cardano Accelerator Program (CAP)
Mentor a new generation of Cardano Ventures
The Cardano Foundation Venture Hub invites Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to deliver dedicated mentorship to the new cohort of Cardano startups in the Cardano Acceleration Program (CAP). The program selects startup entities and strengthens their growth through targeted support and access to in-house blockchain expertise.
Our objective is to bring proven experts together with the next generation of teams building on Cardano, offering practical, actionable guidance. The Spring 2026 cohort focuses on Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Real-World Assets (RWAs).
Program Details
| Program Start Date: | 23 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Program Duration: | 10 weeks |
| Delivery Format: | All sessions delivered online to support global participation |
| Startup Focus: | Early-stage startups focused on DeFi and RWA on Cardano |
| Cohort Size: | Up to 5 startups |
| Services Required: | Delivering on-demand mentorship hours in the area of expertise. |
What Is Expected From Mentors
Mentors provide on-demand, one-to-one guidance to participating startups within their area of expertise, supporting both technical and non-technical founders.
Mentor responsibilities
- Deliver practical, experience-driven mentorship tailored to early-stage startup needs
- Translate deep domain expertise into clear, actionable guidance
- Support founders through focused one-to-one sessions based on real-time challenges
Engagement model
- Mentors join a curated pool of subject matter experts
- One-to-one sessions occur on demand, matched to startup requirements and mentor expertise.
Key Topics of Expertise
We welcome mentors covering the following thematic areas:
- Go-to-market strategy and validation
- Pivoting and business model optimization
- Marketing, communications, and growth
- Sales, partnership strategy, and investor relations
- Legal and compliance, particularly for DeFi and RWA
- International expansion and market entry
- Niche technical expertise
- Additional Web3-relevant disciplines (e.g., tokenomics, fundraising, community development)
Submission Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a proven history of delivering measurable outcomes in their field and submit the following:
- Proof of incorporation
- Clear outline of areas of expertise relevant to the program
- CVs or résumés of key individuals delivering the mentorship
- Evidence of a strong track record in the relevant domain
- Demonstrated experience working with startups or supporting early-stage ventures
Next steps:
- Submissions close on 30 January 2026 at 23:59 CET
- Selected mentors will be invited to an exploratory call for further discussion
- Final evaluation and selection will be completed by 2 March 2026
Submitting an application does not guarantee selection. However, all applicants will be added to the Cardano Accelerator Program directory for future opportunities.
We look forward to reviewing your application and strengthening the Cardano ecosystem with your expertise.