The Ascend accelerator, launched by a coalition of leaders in fintech and crypto, aims to support startups working with real-world assets.
The Ascend Program and Its Goals
Ascend is a new accelerator focused on startups transforming Real World Assets (RWA) into institutional solutions. The program will run for 9 weeks and is backed by organizations like Plume, Galaxy Ventures, OKX Ventures, and others.
Support for Startups Through Mentorship
Participants will receive mentorship from experts with experience in building billion-dollar asset platforms. Key aspects of the support will include product architecture, tokenomics, investment strategy, and regulatory structuring. According to Chris Yin, the CEO of Plume, real-world assets are becoming essential for effective financial solutions.
Participation Conditions and Selection Process
The Ascend program will welcome 6-8 teams with live products and a focus on tokenizing real-world assets for institutions. Applications are open until August 18, 2025, with final selections announced on August 22, 2025. The program will culminate in a Demo Day where participants will showcase their progress to investors.
The launch of the Ascend accelerator emphasizes the growing interest of institutional investors in real-world assets. The program aims to prepare a new wave of startups for successful operations in this burgeoning market.
