Core Ventures has unveiled its BTC-FI Accelerator, a visionary program tailored to drive innovation at the convergence of Bitcoin and DeFi. In a remote, 14-week curriculum, founders will receive up to $100,000 in funding, hands-on mentorship, and exceptional industry access. The accelerator seeks to empower Web3 teams building foundational DeFi products for Bitcoin’s ecosystem—spotlighting areas like yield protocols, trading applications, and launch platforms. With a founder-centric, collaborative approach, Core Ventures aims to cultivate talent capable of unlocking new utility for Bitcoin, meeting shifting market dynamics, and establishing Core as a leading smart contract platform in the landscape of decentralized finance.

BTC-FI Accelerator: Pioneering Bitcoin’s DeFi Evolution

Core Ventures, a prominent Bitcoin-first venture fund, is making a strategic leap with the launch of the BTC-FI Accelerator. This initiative marks a significant milestone for the maturation of DeFi, positioning the program as a catalyst for startups operating at the crossroads of Bitcoin and decentralized finance. Set to run for 14 weeks virtually, BTC-FI is not just an accelerator—it's an end-to-end support ecosystem, offering up to $100,000 in capital, tailored mentorship, and entrée to Core Ventures’ broad network of investors and technical partners.

Founders can now apply for a spot, with the application window open until late August. As the crypto space accelerates and competition increases, this time-sensitive opportunity is designed for builders aiming to scale rapidly from concept to product-market fit, leveraging the immense potential of Bitcoin-backed financial innovation.

Why Core Ventures, Why Now?

Core Ventures’ strategy centers on Core—a purpose-built, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain engineered as Bitcoin’s indispensable companion within the smart contract landscape. By harnessing Bitcoin’s unparalleled security and enabling self-custodial Bitcoin staking, Core unlocks BTC as a genuinely productive asset in DeFi ecosystems. This technical feat enables developers to tap directly into Bitcoin’s liquidity, transforming what is possible with the world’s most trusted digital asset.

The BTC-FI Accelerator employs a robust, founder-first methodology. Core Ventures’ operational support includes expert guidance across product development, tokenomics, go-to-market execution, legal structuring, and investor readiness. This approach is underpinned by a clear mantra: “We succeed only when our founders succeed.” Cohorts are nurtured with an emphasis on collaboration and sustainable growth, building an environment where bold experimentation meets experienced oversight.

Strategic Focus Areas: Catalyzing DeFi Innovation

The BTC-FI Accelerator’s thesis is clear—to back the foundational DeFi products that will solidify Core’s ecosystem and meet the demands of the next adoption wave. Eight high-potential teams will be chosen, each selected on the basis of technical prowess, execution capability, and alignment with Core Ventures’ ambitious roadmap.

Yield Protocols: Solutions that democratize passive BTC income through staking, lending, or novel yield mechanisms. Accessibility and security are paramount, targeting a broad user base without sacrificing decentralization.

DeFi Trading Applications: Scalable, fast, and intuitive platforms that cater to modern crypto traders. Of particular interest: execution layers and interfaces that streamline DeFi participation while adhering to core decentralization principles.

Launch Platforms: Tools that lower barriers for token and product launches, fostering inclusion and long-term value alignment between creators and participants.

High-Yield Growth Experiments: Creative incentive models that drive rapid early-stage adoption and are designed to mature into sustainable financial ecosystems. Projects experimenting with new growth loops and reward structures are especially encouraged to apply.

This targeted approach ensures that the accelerator will not merely produce incremental advancements but will fund game-changing teams committed to redefining what Bitcoin can achieve within DeFi.

Selective Investment, Deep Founder Support

From the pool of applicants, only eight teams will be selected, underscoring the accelerator’s commitment to quality and impact over quantity. Each team will benefit from:

Hands-on mentorship from Core Ventures domain experts and industry leaders.

Connections to VCs, developers, and Core’s extensive partner network.

Strategic guidance across token design, product architecture, legal considerations, and scaling strategies.

Direct investor visibility at the program’s culminating Demo Day.

Funding decisions will be based on execution strength, technical depth, and founder-market fit. Teams demonstrating exceptional alignment with Core Ventures’ long-term vision—and the ability to deliver enduring value within Bitcoin DeFi—will be prioritized for allocations up to $100,000.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications for the BTC-FI Accelerator will be accepted over a six-week window, commencing July 21 and closing in late August. The program will officially launch in Q3 2025. Founders must submit a comprehensive application including a pitch deck, product roadmap, team details, and a narrative outlining how their concept aligns with Core’s ecosystem vision.

Early applications are strongly encouraged, granting founders the chance for iterative feedback and preliminary conversations that could strengthen their prospects. Weekly support will be provided throughout the accelerator, culminating in a Demo Day where teams present to investors and industry luminaries.

Broader Implications and Investor Takeaways

The BTC-FI Accelerator is not merely a startup program—it is a strategic bet on the future of Bitcoin as a foundational, yield-generating asset within sophisticated DeFi ecosystems. By attracting innovators in yield protocols, trading, and growth design, Core Ventures is laying the groundwork for comprehensive financial rails built atop Bitcoin’s security and liquidity.

For investors, this initiative signals a major opportunity to participate in the shaping of Bitcoin’s next chapter—where the asset transcends its store-of-value legacy and assumes a dynamic role in decentralized finance. The program’s focus on technical execution, sustainable economics, and founder-market fit offers seasoned investors a framework for vetting high-impact startups and positioning for long-term returns in a rapidly evolving sector.

Bottomline: Unlocking Bitcoin’s DeFi Potential

Core Ventures’ BTC-FI Accelerator exemplifies the forward-thinking necessary to move Bitcoin beyond its traditional utility and into the heart of decentralized finance. By supporting high-impact builder teams with capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance, the accelerator is primed to deliver products and platforms that bring new utility, scale, and security to the industry.

With an astute focus on foundational DeFi pillars and a selective investment process, Core Ventures is paving the way for innovation that will resonate for years to come. This is a crucial moment for builders—and investors—seeking to be part of Bitcoin’s evolution into an engine for decentralized finance.