Lisk and CV Labs Power African Startups with $20,000 Grants and Web3 Incubation Hub
ZUG, CH – 08/03/2025 – (SeaPRwire) – Lisk, a leading Layer 2 blockchain protocol designed to bring Web3 technologies to emerging markets, has proudly announced the completion of the first successful cohort of the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub. This six-month program, powered by CV Labs, has proven to be a transformative experience for African startups eager to adopt the Lisk protocol to drive innovation in the Web3 space. The Incubation Hub is focused on building solutions that foster economic empowerment, particularly in regions like Africa, where access to traditional financial tools is limited and opportunities for technological innovation continue to expand.
The Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub is a cornerstone of Lisk’s mission to support early-stage entrepreneurs in high-growth markets. Designed to provide targeted resources and opportunities, the program offers a unique combination of mentorship, funding, and a structured curriculum. By equipping entrepreneurs with these critical tools, the hub helps them not only to develop their ideas but also to fine-tune their go-to-market strategies, connect with a global network, and access financial resources necessary to scale.
With the conclusion of Batch 1 of the program, the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub has already made a substantial impact. It has enabled 23 African startups to refine their concepts, build stronger market presence, and foster community-driven solutions. As a result of their participation, these startups have collectively raised nearly $200,000 in grants and achieved remarkable progress, onboarding over 26,000 users, tokenizing $1.8 million in assets, and processing over 20,000 blockchain transactions.
Notable graduates from the first cohort include Tata-iMali, which is working on a fiat-backed stablecoin that connects South Africa’s informal and formal economies, enabling small businesses and individuals to transact seamlessly. TrendX, a Nigerian startup, has built a platform for tokenizing businesses through DAOs, token management, and compliance solutions. Pokecoin, also based in South Africa, is creating a secure blockchain-based marketplace for NFT trading of Pokémon cards, helping users verify the authenticity and quality of their assets using smart contracts. Meanwhile, Nomachain, based in Kenya, is bringing the possibility of homeownership to more Africans with a blockchain-based rent-to-own model, having tokenized $1.8 million in property assets.
Jamit, another success story from Nigeria, is revolutionizing the podcasting landscape with a decentralized platform that provides NFT-driven monetization and audience engagement tools. Afrikabal, a Rwandan startup, is transforming agriculture by enabling farmers to directly connect with wholesalers while providing blockchain-backed trade finance for sustainable farming practices.
The success of the first cohort demonstrates the growing interest and potential for blockchain solutions across a variety of sectors in Africa. From agriculture to finance and entertainment, African innovators are leveraging blockchain technology to solve pressing challenges, enhance efficiency, and create new economic opportunities.
Looking ahead, applications are now open for the second cohort of the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub. Batch 2 will begin in May 2025, with applications closing on April 12, 2025. This upcoming cohort will offer up to $20,000 in grants per project upon graduation, alongside continued mentorship and access to a comprehensive ecosystem of support, including a structured curriculum, resources for scaling, and the potential to secure up to $100,000 in additional funding. Startups in Batch 2 will benefit from an even more robust network of resources, tools, and opportunities to drive their Web3 projects forward.
The vision behind the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub aligns closely with the philosophy of CV VC, a private venture capital firm that has been instrumental in fostering innovation across global blockchain ecosystems. Brenton Naicker, Principal and Head of Growth at CV VC, noted, “The first wave of blockchain technology was focused primarily on cryptocurrency. Now, African nations are embracing the wider potential of blockchain technology, addressing challenges such as inefficiency and financial exclusion. These innovators demonstrate that blockchain can drive systemic change, increase trust, and open up new economic avenues for Africans and beyond.”
Dominic Schwenter, Chief Operating Officer of Lisk, highlighted the growing importance of high-growth markets in the global Web3 revolution, adding, “For far too long, Web3 companies overlooked emerging markets like Africa, limiting these regions’ access to the necessary capital, support, and mentorship despite their immense potential. But now, through programs like the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub, this is changing. The next wave of innovation will come from these high-growth markets, propelling blockchain technology to scale in ways that will ultimately benefit communities around the world.”
Lisk, as a Layer 2 blockchain solution, is committed to bringing Ethereum-based Web3 applications to emerging markets at an affordable cost and with scalable technology. Since its inception in 2016, Lisk has focused on providing an accessible, developer-friendly ecosystem that bridges the gap for entrepreneurs in regions with limited access to traditional financial resources. By simplifying blockchain adoption and offering tailored support to local founders, Lisk has positioned itself as a key player in the global blockchain ecosystem.
The Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub is an integral part of Lisk’s long-term mission to provide early-stage funding and mentorship to founders in regions that have historically faced challenges in accessing venture capital and other vital resources. By connecting these innovators with the necessary tools, education, and networks, Lisk is working to bring more high-impact blockchain solutions to life and pave the way for new success stories across Africa and beyond.
For more information on the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub and to apply for Batch 2, please visit Lisk’s official website or follow them on their social channels.
About Lisk
Lisk is a Layer 2 blockchain that enables decentralized applications and smart contracts to operate efficiently and affordably on Ethereum. Through scalable and cost-effective technology, Lisk is making Web3 adoption more accessible, especially in emerging markets. The Lisk ecosystem offers a comprehensive set of tools, funding programs, and mentorship to help early-stage entrepreneurs in high-growth markets build impactful projects. Lisk is also a member of the Optimism Superchain, which is focused on building the first truly interoperable blockchain supernetwork.
About CV VC & CV Labs
CV VC is a global blockchain venture capital firm, dedicated to supporting the adoption of transformative technologies. Through CV Labs, its ecosystem business pillar, CV VC provides a wide range of services to startups, investors, and corporations, including co-working spaces, accelerator programs, and industry-leading events. With a strong focus on building the next generation of blockchain solutions, CV VC and CV Labs have become instrumental in supporting the global adoption of decentralized technologies.
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