Blockchain Accelerator

Blockchain Accelerator

The Robert H. Smith School of Business' new Blockchain Accelerator, led by the Supply Chain Management Center and the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, merges the university’s best capabilities in computer science, engineering and business.

The business implications of blockchain are perhaps as impactful as the internet itself was 20 years ago. Blockchain harnesses advances in computing, peer-to-peer networks and cryptography to allow the transaction of digital assets without the need for a third-party guarantor.

This accelerator will help early-stage companies from around the country access content and mentorship to systematically advance their businesses. Entirely virtual, the accelerator will leverage the FounderTrac platform. The 45-day program culminates in a Demo Day where participating companies will have an opportunity to pitch to investors.

Because there is no cost or equity taken the applications will be highly competitive for a limited number of seats.

Important Dates

  • Applications Close: March 26, 2024
  • Showcase: May 14, 2024

Benefits to Participants

  • Access to top industry mentors
  • A Demo Day with the Dingman Center Angel Group and other Angels and VCs
  • FounderTrac’s online collaborative company-building platform
  • Access to the Founder Focus Assessment™ algorithm with startup risk readout
  • Access to ‘Sherpa’ mentoring and advisory network
  • Work sessions with professional templates, worksheets, and examples
  • Small group coaching facilitated by subject matter experts and elite founders/executives
  • Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions led by subject matter experts and elite founders/executives
  • Virtual events including kick-off & Demo Day benefiting from expert production and publicity

What We’re Looking for in Applicants

  • Actively building a product that uses blockchain technology.
  • Working on application-layer solutions (Update: 2024 Cohort is accepting companies building a new layer 1 blockchain technology). Proposed: Building a venture utilizing blockchain technology. This can include but is not limited to a L0, L1, L2, or dApp solution/venture
  • In any business stage between ideation to constant revenue.

All startups that meet the above criteria may apply regardless of affiliation with the University of Maryland.

Blockchain Accelerator Faculty and Mentors

University of Maryland Faculty

Tejwansh (Tej) Singh Anand

Tejwansh (Tej) Singh Anand
Clinical Professor
Academic Director, MS in Information Systems

G. “Anand” Anandalingam

G. “Anand” Anandalingam
Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Management Science

Stacey Ferris

Stacey Ferris

David Kass

David Kass
Clinical Professor

Jeffrey Mund

Jeffrey Mund
Lecturer
Supply Chain Center of Excellence

Giacinto Paolo Saggese
Adjunct Professor
Department of Computer Science

External Mentors

Harry Alford

Harry Alford
Institutional Sales
Coinbase Cloud

Carolyn Groobey

Carolyn Groobey
Adjunct Professor of Accounting

Jal Irani
Mentor & Visiting Faculty member from Johns Hopkins

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