IDEO CoLab, a collaborative network focused on accelerating the research and development of emerging technologies, today announced the launch of its new Startup Studio program to help accelerate the world’s best blockchain entrepreneurs and startups, in partnership with over 20 leading organizations and protocols.
The program kicks off this month and builds upon IDEO CoLab’s investing and co-creation program for blockchain startups launched earlier this year.
Starting today, blockchain entrepreneurs and startups can apply to participate in specific acceleration programs via IDEO CoLab’s Startup Studio website.
“As part of our quest to reimagine how the world’s best entrepreneurs are supported and invested in, IDEO CoLab’s new Startup Studio for blockchain entrepreneurs unbundles the traditional startup accelerator model into a collection of programs and workshops offered by IDEO and our network of partners. Together, we can address a broad range of blockchain startups’ specialized needs, from design to product, testing, brand, hiring, finance, law, engineering, smart contract development, and more.”
“Over the last four decades, IDEO has pioneered the field of human-centered design to help create iconic products in partnership with leading companies like Apple, Google, Nike, and Ford. We believe that the blockchain industry has now reached the point where human-centered design and collaboration are needed to realize its full potential and make the leap from millions of enthusiasts to billions of everyday users.”
– Ian Lee, Managing Director, IDEO CoLab Ventures
2019 Launch Partners
IDEA CoLab is partnering with a network of leading organizations and Layer 1 protocols. They will be able to help blockchain startups and entrepreneurs who participate in the Startup Studio program in complementary ways.
The initial partner organizations include: Amazon, Atrium, Avanta Ventures, Blockchain at Berkeley, Brex, CoinList, CSAA Insurance Group, Deloitte, Electric Capital, Ethereum Foundation and ETH Global, Fidelity, GS Group, Hanwha, Messari, NEAR Protocol, Oasis Labs, Perkins Coie, she256, Stellar Foundation, Silicon Valley Bank, TQ Tezos.
The Startup Studio program is selectively bringing on additional value add partners who can help blockchain entrepreneurs and startups in meaningful ways.
Check out this form if your organization is interested in becoming a partner.
“A renowned international design firm widely credited with inventing the practice of design thinking, IDEO created CoLab as a collaboration platform to connect the most forward-thinking organizations and technologies around the world to foster innovation. The firm selected Tezos as one of the Layer 1 protocols for the brand new Startup Studio program.”
“TQ Tezos will help blockchain startups and entrepreneurs participating in the Startup Studio program, serving as a resource for projects built on the Tezos blockchain. Working with a global leader like IDEO is a great opportunity to put Tezos in the hands of some of the brightest minds across multiple industries.”
– The Tezos Foundation Team
Work Underway
For the past few months, IDEA CoLab has been running Startup Studio programs with leading blockchain entrepreneurs and startups including 0x, Alto, Braintrust, Compound, Dharma, dYdX, Fairmint, UMA, and others. The program has helped validate/invalidate new product concepts, design product UX/UI, and find their first launch customers.
“I really did love the IDEO people. They’re obviously the best of the best in terms of design talent. It’s seriously valuable for folks like me to get to spend time with design folks like that, and to learn about their process. I knew user testing was valuable but hadn’t really experienced it before.”
Hart Lambur, CEO of UMA (participant in IDEO Product Validation Day
