CreativeHQ & Centrality launch blockchain accelerator programme
Up-and-coming blockchain startups will be able to make use of a brand new local accelerator programme that will provide support, mentorship and insight from leading coaches and businesspeople.
Centrality Accelerator, which launches next week, is the brainchild of a partnership between local blockchain venture studio Centrality, and Creative HQ.
Using Creative HQ's Lightning Lab, the Centrality Accelerator will support ventures to become business-ready and trained for success.
The Accelerator will co-develop decentralised training modules for other Lightning Lab programmes and work towards a Lighting Lab Blockchain programme. Creative HQ will also deliver management and business coaching for those within the accelerator.
According to Lightning Lab head of acceleration, Brett Holland, New Zealand could be a hotbed for decentralised solutions in the public and private sectors.
"There is enormous potential to take a leadership role by demonstrating how we build fair, socially conscious, inclusive solutions. Our aim is to help Centrality launch decentralised solutions for fintech, govtech, tourism, and in other sector specific fields.
Centrality general manager of strategic partnerships, Andy Higgs, says Creative HQ has proven capable of delivering startup and early stage business accelerator programmes.
Lightning Lab programme director Jeff Mann will lead the new Centrality Accelerator. He is also one of the people who first developed the Lightning Lab programme back in 2016.
"We're delighted to bring on Jeff to helm the programme, he's a Lightning Lab original and the perfect person for marrying what Centrality and Creative HQ do best," comments Higgs.
"The combination of Lightning Lab's proven programme with the Centrality platform infrastructure, marketplace and funding network provides a compelling alternative to traditional VC and accelerator services. We get to focus on blockchain technologies, and they get to focus on founder development and building successful startups," Higgs continues.
PL^G will also support teams in the Centrality Accelerator programme. It will provide a standardised blockchain platform framework and sponsorship funding for teams.
Those who become part of the Lightning Lab delivered programme will work within Centrality's headquarters, giving them a physical space to develop technologies as well as access to Centrality's leadership team. Centrality will also provide the technical expertise using PL^G's blockchain infrastructure.
"The people at PL^G are building production-ready blockchain systems that utilise blockchain as a layer in the tech stack. The internet took time to standardise so businesses could easily use it, PL^G is doing this with blockchain making it a critical partner for this accelerator programme," Higgs concludes.
