The 2019 Tachyon Accelerator Demo Day

ConsenSys Ventures’ Tachyon Spring 2019 accelerator wrapped up this week, with pitches from 10 Ethereum projects pushing the vision of Web3 forward.

The 2019 Tachyon Accelerator Program

A tachyon is a theoretical particle that can never be at rest. It travels faster than light, and can hit you in the face before light reaches the surface. An interesting metaphor as we live our lives in exponential times.

— Joe Lubin at the first Tachyon Demo Day in 2018

On Wednesday 05/22, the second group of Tachyon Accelerator projects took to the stage in San Francisco to pitch and demo their product to a room of investors, experts, and industry leaders. For the last ten weeks of intense product research, development, and strategy, these ten startups from across the world have been working with ConsenSys Ventures to take their projects from idea to MVP. With support, advice, and guidance from experts across ConsenSys, these teams embarked on an intensive journey to accelerate their blockchain platforms.

Before the day was over, Joseph Lubin took to the stage for a “Fireside Chat.” He remarked that the day felt much more like “crypto-summer” than “crypto-spring” and renamed the chat to a “Bonfire Chat.” He also announced that applications for the next 2019 Tachyon Accelerator would open up this summer. The next Accelerator will be based out of four locations globally, expanding the reach and access of the program to more Ethereum startups across the world.

Read about the 10 projects from the second Tachyon Accelerator, their feedback on Tachyon, and their plans following the Accelerator.

Sensor.link: Brussels, Belgium

Project: Sensor.link is developing a blockchain-based software architecture that will allow companies working in smart sensing technologies to provide guaranteed auditability to their end users.

How did Tachyon help you: Tachyon has given us an opportunity to kick-start a project that we have been discussing for a long time in the best possible circumstances: world-class mentoring, excellent visibility, and access to all of the resources of the ConsenSys mesh. Tachyon really is an accelerator for us: we have accomplished in 2 months what would have maybe taken a year otherwise!

What’s next for the project: We believe consumer-facing AI-based products have the potential to revolutionize human society, but that there is a missing element of trust between the providers of technology and all other stakeholders. We want to provide that element of trust and allow the world to be transformed by AI — for the better.

More Information: Website

IBISA: Luxembourg

Project: IBISA [Inclusive Blockchain Insurance using Space Assets] scales a mutuality-based model that enables the sharing of farmer to farmer risk in a scalable, transparent and cost-effective way. Through satellite technology, IBISA is able to build a risk model from the wealth of data and assess incidents before an insurance file is claimed. This real-time data-first approach leads to faster payouts and a more attractive compensation model for farmers who contributed to the scheme via regular micro-payments.

What did you seek from Tachyon: IBISA’s mission is made possible by combining blockchain, satellite earth observation data, and parametric risk-modeling. As IBISA is at the intersection of 3 industries, having the backing and support of references on each is a great asset for us. Now we have the European Space Agency and ConsenSys Ventures support. In Tachyon, we sought guidance and advice from all experts across ConsenSys.

How did Tachyon help you: It has been a catalyst for us on all fronts. Tachyon advised us on how to accelerate and improve our roadmap, opened up new connections, and reinforced our credibility in the blockchain community. During the program, we finalized our MVP, secured additional funding, and strengthened our technical team and partnerships.

What’s next for the project: Keep on growing our pilot in India, move forward on Niger’s field deployment and getting ready for Bangladesh in November. On the technical side, prepare our MVP for scale, validate loss assessment process (crowd-watching), and risk-sharing mechanism.

Last but not least, continue on-boarding investors to support our growth.

More Information: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter

Genomes.io: London, UK

Project: Genomes.io creates a DNA data bank that allows users to query and share segments of their genome using a repeat consent model. Using blockchain and encryption technologies, Genomes creates a storage and sharing solution that brings together individuals (data owners) and research organizations (data buyers) to power a more equitable move towards personalized medicine.

What did you seek from Tachyon: We saw Tachyon as a fantastic source of finance, credibility, and expertise. It has lived up to all three of those areas. Almost as important to us was a sense check on the legalities and infrastructure requirements from working in such a complex space. Of course, being selected over many others by an organisation with such credibility in the space has also provided us with a great platform, which we will continue to capitalise on.

How did Tachyon help you: The Tachyon team really helped crystalise our project goals and messaging. The introductions to some of the leading figures in the Blockchain and Web3 space have given us a great deal of insight into where we can fit in the space and who can help us get there. We really feel a part of the ConsenSys Mesh and comfortable asking for mentorship and advice from everyone within it.

What’s next for the project: We’re raising funds to take us through to our first milestone of 100,000 genomes — secure and in the control of their owners! The Tachyon incubator helped us think more clearly about some of the essential aspects for traction in this space. We will be following up on all of the legal advice and making sure that we have boxes ticked from a regulatory standpoint. We’re also going to be focusing on end user workflows before launching later in the year.

More Information: Cyptobriefing Company Profile, Website, Twitter, Github, Telegram

LawCoin: Philadelphia, PA

Project: LawCoin is the world’s first blockchain platform for tokenized investment in litigation finance, an asset class which is both uncorrelated and has outperformed every other major asset class in recent years. Using blockchain technology and crowdfunding principles, LawCoin provides investors with newfound access to a market historically unavailable to the general investing public. The LawCoin team includes lawyers, entrepreneurs, and programmers dedicated to LawCoin’s mission of (1) enabling litigants to bring valuable cases that would not otherwise be financially viable; and (2) creating access and liquidity for the litigation finance market.

What did you seek from Tachyon: We applied to Tachyon because we were impressed by the deep expertise of ConsenSys in building projects like ours on Ethereum, as well as with the overall quality of the Tachyon program. We also knew that the Consensys Mesh had a wealth of knowledge on issues at the intersection of law and blockchain technology, particularly with respect to the securitization of digital assets — which is at the core of our business.

How did Tachyon help you: Tachyon has given us incredible support on every level. Through Tachyon and the exposure it has given us to companies in the ConsenSys Mesh, we’ve received guidance in building our platform and issuing security tokens on Ethereum, as well as assistance in addressing related issues such as key management. Tachyon has also been essential to refining our business model and helping us understand how to best present our company’s potential.

What’s next for the project: We are looking forward to launching our platform. We already have cases ready to list for investment, are actively evaluating a number of additional cases for listing, and have a significant number of investors who have expressed interest in joining the platform. We are excited to introduce the general public to this growing asset class and thrilled to be the first company to tokenize litigation finance assets.

More Information: Cryptobriefing Company Profile, Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Glimpse Protocol: London, UK

Project: Glimpse is a protocol for self-sovereign identity set on separating the ‘who you are’ and the ‘what you do’ parts of identity. The Glimpse protocol provides a trusted intermediary between consumers and businesses, ensuring data never leaves the user’s handset. Its first use case is in online advertising.

What did you seek from Tachyon: For us, partnering with Tachyon brought us into the Ethereum community — which is exactly where we want to be. What we really wanted from Tachyon was to connect with experts and business who have built decentralised infrastructure and some of the best production dApps. This experience has been, and will continue to be, vital to the success of Glimpse.

How did Tachyon help you: When we had questions, or needed help, Tachyon connected us to the subject matter experts within the ecosystem. Talking directly to leadership from Infura, Metamask, Gnosis, as well as experts in ad tech and privacy, has been key in validating thinking and refining our product.

What’s next for the project: Following demo day, we are launching our seed round. With partnerships confirmed, Glimpse will continue to build the technology required to realise targeted, privacy respecting ads. We are excited to work with brands and publishers to bring our product to market as soon as possible.

More Information: Cryptobriefing Company Profile, Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram

Linkdrop: Germany & Russia

Project: Linkdrop Protocol is the first technology that enables users or dapps to send digital assets to receivers through URLs without knowing their address in advance. The user feedback shows that onboarding non-crypto users via web2 inspired invite/referral links is a valuable use case for the entire dapp ecosystem.

How did Tachyon help you: We got plenty of input on our products and ideas from the Tachyon and plenty of other ConsenSys Mesh Projects. Particularly, we received feedback on our business model and how to approach legal & regulatory matters.

What’s next for the project: We will close our seed round and help on-board the first million users to digital assets!

More Information: Cryptobriefing Company Profile, Website

Sooho: Seoul, Korea

Project: Sooho is a smart contract and transaction security firm based out of South Korea. The platform will enable continuous secure development of an anti-fraud and AML compliance module that analyzes suspicious transaction activity. The module’s focused analysis can monitor malicious wallets or audit smart contracts and recommend patches to fix problems. By continuously searching for issues, the module is able to identify flaws in a codebase earlier which can save money and time.

What did you seek from Tachyon: I came across the Tachyon while we were finding reliable global partners for targeting overseas markets. We were confident that Tachyon could provide global networking and mentorship with the various market leaders from ConsenSys Mesh.

How did Tachyon help you: As expected, we’ve been connected to ConsenSys Mesh, Google, AWS, and more. Their relationship and their support have helped us to accelerate and manage our business. Also, the Tachyon team worked harder than anyone to give feedback on our business and helped us gain insight into the industry. Above all, we could have reliable partners in this industry through the program.

What’s next for the project: We will make our teams and products more sustainable. Also, based on the network built up through Tachyon, we will increase customers and extend the relationship beyond the Ethereum market.

More Information: Website, Github, Twitter, Facebook

Joe Lubin | Founder, ConsenSys | Co-Founder, Ethereum

Cypherock: New Delhi, India

Project: Cypherock creates security storage solutions for blockchain-based digital assets and private keys. Cypherock sets up a personal distributed network of hardware devices (chip-embedded cards) among your very own trusted network of people. The various cards contain the split recovery phrase for the private key. Crypto wallet users need not to write their recovery phrases on a piece of paper. Cypher rock provides a physical-digital solution for the safe custody of crypto assets so that you never lose your coins.

What did you seek from Tachyon: One of the problems we faced in India was getting direct access to potential customers and the ecosystem. When Tachyon Accelerator program was announced, we knew it was a perfect fit for our company. It allowed us to access their massive network of companies working on decentralised technologies and the ecosystem built around Ethereum, which could really help shape the product into the form the market needs.

How did Tachyon help you: During our time in Berlin and San Francisco in the Tachyon program, we met a lot of advisers and developers in the space who helped refine our product for the market and connected us to people who will be the early adopters for our project. In the 8 weeks of the accelerator, we were able to iterate over two prototypes and able to reach 300 people on the waitlist.

What’s next for the project: Our goal is to sell 100,000 units in the next 18 months!

More Information: Website, Blog, LinkedIn, Twitter

Blok-Z: Ankara, Turkey

Project: Blok-Z offers a blockchain-based solution to the energy market by bringing together producers, suppliers, and consumers to trade on a peer-to-peer (P2P) platform. Addressing four of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, (7, 11, 12, 13), Blok-Z aims to connect people without access to electricity to distributed energy resources and allow local peer-to-peer energy trading over short distances.

What did you seek from Tachyon: We were looking for a well-curated accelerator program where we could tap into a large network of highly experienced mentors and advisers in the blockchain space. Since ConsenSys has enterprise experience in a wide variety of sectors, we were hoping that Tachyon would help us with strategic partnership opportunities in the blockchain sector. Looking at the success of the Tachyon 2018 cohort, we were sure that the accelerator could help bring us investors that would help us transform the energy sector.

How did Tachyon help you: ConsenSys is the best blockchain technology company in the world and we were connected with their best minds. We had access to some of the leading blockchain specialists who gave us excellent approaches on issues such as scalability. Tachyon also organized sessions on topics such as entrepreneurship skills, product marketing, tokenomics, and cryptocurrency regulations. The one-on-one sessions with the ConsenSys Ventures team challenged us to dive deeper into our product and refine our strategy.

What’s next for the project: We have completed a pilot project for a carbon credit trading platform with two of Europe’s largest energy companies. This pilot project was so successful that we landed them as paying customers. We are hoping to add more customers to our platform and develop an international network for carbon trading. We are also actively looking for strategic partnerships with suppliers and industry players in the energy sector for peer-to-peer electricity trading trials. After these trials, we hope to release an end-to-end trading platform capable of trading both within and between microgrids and with a financial settlement layer that integrates both stablecoins or traditional payment networks.

More Information: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Ether.cards — Singapore

Project: The key to mass adoption of cryptocurrency is through an easy onboarding experience with non-technical users in mind. Ether.Cards make cryptocurrencies physical. Corporate companies can distribute customized printed cards to users without any additional onboarding complexity. The Ether.Cards team is working to include chip-embedded cards with increased privacy and programmability in the near future. Ether.Cards has its eye’s set onto the much larger markets of non-fungible tokens (NFT’s), and gaming by near-field communication (NFC) based integration through white-labeled mobile applications.

How did Tachyon help you: Exactly as I hoped. They provided a lot of help with product and business development and establishing industry connections, offering support in every area.

What’s next for the project: We need to establish industry relationships and drill down on our business development strategy.

More Information: Website, Twitter

What’s Next

Applications for the next Tachyon accelerator will open up this summer. For the first time, the accelerator will be based out of multiple locations globally, expanding the access to resources and expertise. Keep an eye out for the application announcement!