Welcome to Acelera, the accelerator brought to you by Odisea, in partnership with Mantle.

Kicking off in January 2025, Acelera is a 10-week program designed to scale 15-20 of Latin America’s most ambitious teams. We provide builders with a structured program to propel your startup to the next level, access to over 50 top-tier advisors, a $20K participation grant for the best teams in the program, and a Demo Day where you’ll pitch to the industry’s leading investors.

Our mission is to empower Latin America’s brightest builders to transform society by leveraging onchain technology to create decentralized futures. Acelera is designed to provide a world-class experience, setting new standards of quality and innovation that will drive crypto in Latin America to the next level.

We are deeply rooted in the region and are true crypto natives, giving us unique insights into Latin America’s challenges and opportunities. Together with Mantle, we’re scaling the boldest founders tackling complex problems in DeFi, payments, stablecoins, gaming, infrastructure, and other verticals of the onchain economy.

Ready to accelerate? Apply here.

We believe crypto has the potential to disrupt centralized institutions of power across Latin America. Permissionless, decentralized, and credibly neutral protocols can transform the region’s financial systems, economies, and social structures. Yet, despite this potential, the number of emerging crypto projects in Latin America has been underwhelming—what we call the innovation gap.

To overcome the innovation gap, Odisea:

• Conducts foundational research on the state of crypto in Latin America.

• Partners with leading global crypto protocols and foundations.

• Backs the best founders in the region.

• Provides technical education for emerging developers.

To bring this vision to life, Odisea is proud to have partnered with leading ecosystems including Mantle, Base, Safe, Lens, Celo, Liquity, the IDB, and Schmidt Futures. 

We set up the Odisea Accelerator after realizing that some of the region's most successful founders often need key ingredients to unlock their full potential. Through this program, we aim to scale the region's boldest and most visionary founders, both operating in the region and beyond.

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. After submitting, you’ll undergo a technical review and two interviews. Expect to receive a final decision two weeks after submitting your application,

• The program is fully remote and structured to provide ample time for what matters most: building your project.

Through Acelera, we aim to set a new benchmark for excellence in crypto innovation, ensuring that Latin America not only participates but leads in this global transformation. To that end, the program offers the following:

• Building a startup is hard, and building a crypto startup is even more challenging. Building a crypto startup in Latin America is often perceived to be nearly impossible. We provide weekly workshops covering market research, viability, product-market fit, business modeling, marketing, tokenomics, fundraising, and beyond 

• One introduction can change the entire trajectory of a project’s future. We leverage our connections within a vast network of crypto professionals, mentors, projects, and enthusiasts to scale a project’s impact and reach. We've established strong relationships throughout the ecosystem that we're excited to put to work for you!

• We support developing your MVP into market-ready applications that meet market needs and user expectations. Whether it is setting up user testing, feedback sessions, or finding new technical talent to build your product, we're here to help you build the best product possible. 

• You will have access to crypto’s brightest minds through our advisory network. These advisors are committed to supporting you as you continue to scale up your projects and take you to the next level, both through 1:1 advisory as well as through cohort-wide sessions. 

• Our program includes comprehensive technical code reviews led by experienced blockchain engineers, ensuring your code meets the highest standards for security, scalability, and efficiency. These reviews offer detailed feedback and actionable insights, helping you refine your product, address vulnerabilities, and build robust, market-ready solutions.

• Access to grants, venture capital, and demo days to secure necessary funding. In addition to providing the best founders with a grant, we also work with our leading partners to create a milestone-based stream of grants upon successful integrations of certain protocols and dApps. Our demo day will feature leading investors across the ecosystem who are keen to back Latin America's best builders.

• We work with some of the region’s top lawyers and advisors to guide you through the complex regulatory landscape of Latin America's crypto space. This ranges from where you should incorporate your startup, what your fundraising vehicles should look like, and more.

The program will take place over 10 weeks. Each week, we will have several educational sessions, 1:1 mentorship sessions with industry leaders, technical code reviews, and guide founders through any pressing challenges you're facing. The program structure is as follows:

• Welcome to the beginning of your journey with the Odisea Accelerator! In this initial week, we'll set the stage for what's to come. You'll meet fellow founders, mentors, and the Odisea team, creating a supportive network from the get-go. We'll dive into the accelerator's structure, goals, and expectations, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready to maximize the experience. This week is about laying a solid foundation, so prepare to embark on an exciting adventure with fellow accelerator members.

• In Week 2, we focus on exploring the first principles of Product-Market Fit (PMF). Understanding your market and ensuring your product meets its needs is crucial. We'll conduct intensive market research sessions, helping you identify your target audience, understand their pain points, and refine your product offering. By the end of this week, you'll have a clearer vision of your market position and a roadmap to achieving PMF.

• Week 3 is all about bringing your product to life. We’ll work on developing your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and transitioning it to a market-ready application. This involves setting up user testing, gathering feedback, and iterating on your product design. Our team of technical experts will provide code reviews and hands-on support to ensure your product meets market needs and user expectations.

• Security is paramount in the crypto space. Week 4 will cover essential security protocols and best practices to safeguard your product and users. You’ll learn about smart contract security, data protection, and risk management strategies. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools to build secure and trustworthy applications, ensuring long-term success and user confidence.

• Navigating the complex regulatory landscape is crucial for any crypto startup. In Week 5, we bring in top lawyers and advisors to guide you through legal and compliance challenges. We'll cover topics such as incorporation, fundraising vehicles, and regulatory requirements specific to Latin America. By the end of this week, you’ll have a solid understanding of the legal framework and how to position your startup for compliance and success.

• Week 6 dives into the intricacies of protocol design. We’ll explore the principles of decentralized systems, consensus mechanisms, tokenomics, and smart contract development. This week’s sessions are designed to deepen your technical expertise and help you create robust, scalable, and efficient blockchain protocols. With guidance from industry leaders, you’ll refine your design and implementation strategies.

• Growth and market penetration are the focus of Week 7. We’ll work on developing effective go-to-market (GTM) strategies, marketing plans, and growth-hacking techniques. You’ll learn how to build a strong brand, engage your audience, and scale your user base. Our mentors will share insights and tactics to help you drive growth and achieve your business objectives.

• Building a strong company culture and community is vital for long-term success. In Week 8, we’ll discuss the importance of culture, values, and leadership within your startup. You’ll learn how to cultivate a positive work environment, attract top talent, and build a loyal community around your product. This week emphasizes the human aspect of your startup journey, ensuring you’re equipped to lead effectively and foster a thriving ecosystem.

• Securing funding is a critical milestone for any startup. During Week 9, we’ll focus on fundraising strategies, preparing you for investor pitches and negotiations. You’ll gain insights into creating compelling pitch decks, identifying potential investors, and navigating fundraising. We’ll also provide access to grants and venture capital opportunities and organize a demo day rehearsal to hone your presentation skills.

• The culmination of the Odisea Accelerator program is Demo Day. In Week 10, you’ll showcase your progress, pitch your startup to a panel of investors, and demonstrate your product’s potential. This is your opportunity to secure funding, make valuable connections, and celebrate the achievements of the past 10 weeks. We’ll help you refine your pitch and presentation, ensuring you’re ready to impress and take your startup to the next level.

There is a 1-2% equity/token-based participation fee in exchange for receiving top-tier support through Acelera’s program, network, the $20K participation grant, and follow-on grants from our partners. We aim to align long-term incentives with each of the founders to ensure that we drive maximum utility for both the founders and the Odisea ecosystem. 

We will work closely with you from the very early stages of your startup’s journey to the successful maturation of your project. We are excited to scale your project with you and can’t wait to get started.

If you’re a top-tier founder looking to continue to grow your startup to the next level, we would encourage you to submit an application for the program. You can submit your application here. 

Should you have any questions regarding the program, you can contact us at: acelera@odisea.xyz.

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The information provided in this article by Odisea Labs LLC (RMI Series LLC) is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about its completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. This article does not constitute professional advice, and readers should seek their own professional advice before making any decisions based on the information provided. Odisea Labs LLC will not be liable for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss or damage, arising from or in connection with the use of this article. For any questions, please contact us at terms@odisea.xyz.