KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Velocity Labs, in partnership with key players in the Polkadot ecosystem, launches the DeFi Builders Program to foster innovation in decentralized finance.
- The program supports developers at all stages, offering a comprehensive system to explore and scale new DeFi applications on Polkadot Hub.
- Spanning 12 weeks, the program provides mentorship, network access, and go-to-market strategies, culminating in a Virtual Demo Day.
- Applications are open until October 3, 2025, with the first cohort limited to five teams.
Velocity Labs, in collaboration with the Web3 Foundation, Parity Technologies, Wave Digital, Scytale Digital, Hypernative, and other key partners in the Polkadot ecosystem, has announced the launch of the DeFi Builders Program. This initiative aims to attract, support, and scale the next generation of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications on Polkadot Hub, an EVM-compatible chain set to launch in late Q4.
The DeFi Builders Program is designed to accommodate developers at various stages, whether they have polished products or innovative ideas ready for testing and refinement. More than just a launchpad, the program offers a comprehensive support system for teams eager to explore new DeFi primitives and experiment with novel financial coordination models.
“At its core, this is about creating space for real innovation, not just copying and pasting the last cycle’s ideas onto a new chain,” stated Nicolas Arevalo, co-founder at Velocity Labs. “We want teams to feel confident experimenting, iterating, and shipping new DeFi concepts that take full advantage of Polkadot Hub’s scalability, interoperability, and composability from day one.”
Program Structure and Benefits
The 12-week program guides projects from concept to launch. It begins with onboarding and network access in the first two weeks, followed by product building with expert mentorship from weeks three to eight. The final stages involve preparing for go-to-market strategies and fundraising in weeks nine to eleven, culminating in a Virtual Demo Day in week twelve.
Applications are currently being accepted, and the program seeks teams working across the entire DeFi stack. This includes lending markets, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), perpetual protocols, yield platforms, real-world asset tokenization, cross-chain infrastructure, payment rails, and onboarding solutions. The program welcomes both polished products and early-stage teams, providing a safe environment to iterate, experiment, and validate ideas before scaling.
Encouraging Innovation in DeFi
Angie Darrow, Chief Marketing Officer and interim CECO at Web3 Foundation, emphasized the program’s alignment with the foundation’s mission. “The DeFi Builders Program embodies exactly what the Web3 Foundation champions: giving innovative teams the runway to experiment fearlessly on Polkadot and translate breakthrough ideas into the next generation of open, interoperable finance,” she said.
The first cohort will be limited to five teams. Interested parties are encouraged to visit Velocity Labs’ website for more information and to submit proposals. Applications are open from September 3 until October 3, 2025.
Why This Matters: Impact, Industry Trends & Expert Insights
Velocity Labs has launched a DeFi Builders Program on the Polkadot Hub, aiming to foster innovation and support the development of new DeFi applications.
A recent CoinMarketCap report highlights the growing trend of scalability and interoperability within the Polkadot ecosystem. This aligns with the program’s focus on leveraging Polkadot’s capabilities to enhance DeFi innovation.
A CoinTelegraph report highlights that the DeFi Builders Program is seen by experts as a significant accelerator for DeFi innovation on Polkadot. This supports the initiative’s potential to drive substantial growth in the ecosystem.
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