Creating a Web3 business out of an idea is no small feat. That’s why the Starknet Foundation is launching Startup House, a program designed to equip early-stage crypto startups with the resources, mentorship, and community they need to launch and grow.
Startup House is an investment in the future of both Starknet and Web3. By providing targeted support, including seed grants, expert mentorship, and a collaborative environment, the Starknet Foundation is empowering the next wave of founders. Startup House is also about community: if projects succeed, we all succeed.
With Startup House, we are committed to bending the arc of crypto history toward a more sustainable direction, offering the tools and community necessary for building businesses that will shape the future of crypto, Web3, and beyond.
Why we’re betting on founders with Startup House
Web3’s future depends on a new wave of founders capable of creating real-world solutions through sustainable, adaptable businesses. Founders who can bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 by transforming complex, decentralized technologies into products that users can effortlessly integrate into everyday lives.
The goal is to identify and nurture these builders, ensuring that they have the resources and community to survive and thrive well into the future. To that end, we are focused on empowering teams who are MVP-ready, want to refine their products for real users, and that understand the importance of product-market fit.
We’re also betting on founders building in particular verticals that will be critical to the future of Web3 and Starknet. This includes payments, Bitcoin applications, gaming, and consumer-facing apps. These sectors are where we believe that emerging founders, tech, and business models can unlock widespread adoption and create lasting companies.
With Startup House, the Starknet Foundation is equipping founders with guidance, dedicated mentorship, and a network to help navigate critical stages of growth, from MVP to market-ready business.
The types of teams Startup House is backing
Startup House is the perfect crucible for early-stage startups and promising teams who are ready to make the leap from MVP to Mainnet. Ideal candidates will have a working prototype with a forward focus on refining their product for real users, along with a strong vision for scaling and sustainability.
Teams should be close to launching their MVP or have already launched and are iterating towards product-market fit. At the core of each team we’re looking for at least one Cairo developer — whether on the backend or frontend — who can help bring a decentralized product to life.
Alongside technical builders, we also want to see non-technical members who are focused on growth, business strategy, and product refinement. This combination of technical and business expertise is key to scaling a successful Web3 venture and ensuring it has the resilience to adapt as the Web3 ecosystem evolves.
How we can invest in you
The program is quite literally built different, with a unique blend of technical mentorship, business strategy, and community designed specifically for Starknet builders.
Here’s how your team will benefit:
- Built for Starknet founders. Startup House was designed as a follow-up to our online programs (Basecamp, Founder Basecamp, and Re{ignite} Hackathon), with a curriculum shaped around the specific challenges and opportunities of building on Starknet.
- Direct access to the Starknet Foundation. Teams get both hands-on mentorship and a direct line to the Foundation itself. That means valuable networking and access to people, resources, and conversations that can help you grow smarter.
- Real help with real startup challenges. From business model design to user acquisition, fundraising, and pitching, we’ll be right there in the trenches with you to create practical solutions to any obstacle.
- A community built to grow with you. Think of Startup House as a network of teams who are in it together. You’ll workshop with peers and form relationships that last well beyond Demo Day.
- Deep Web3 expertise. You’lllearn from founders, builders, and operators who’ve shipped smart contracts, raised funding in tough markets, and scaled active Web3 communities.
- Workshops with real builders. Learn directly from teams who’ve been exactly where you are, from shipping products and raising funds to scaling. These are hands-on sessions built around real trial and error.
- We’re all in on your success. Startup House exists because when founders win, the entire Starknet ecosystem levels up. Your success drives adoption, inspires new builders, and proves what’s possible on Starknet.
Whether you’re a developer, entrepreneur, or simply someone committed to pushing the boundaries of Web3, we strongly encourage you to apply for Startup House.
Apply to Startup House
It’s time to take the next step in transforming your vision into a scalable, sustainable business, with all the resources and community support you need. Whether you’re building in payments, gaming, Bitcoin, or the next big consumer use case, the Starknet community is here to help you move faster, scale smarter, and build with purpose.
Not ready? Explore Basecamp and Founder Basecamp, where you’ll gain the skills necessary to ship, strategize, and network. Take your Cairo skills from zero to hero at Basecamp, or perfect your pitch with hands-on advice at Founder Basecamp. You can also participate in the Re{ignite} hackathon, gaining critical feedback and expanding your footprint.
Startup House naturally follows initiatives like Basecamp, Founder Basecamp, and the Re{ignite} Hackathon by reinforcing and expanding Starknet’s long-term investment in serious founders building with Cairo on Starknet.
