Empowering the Next Generation
of RWA Startups
The global accelerator and founder network for the RWA economy
Up to $500K in funding at Demo Day
Applications now open - deadline August 15th
Apply nowTurning Ambitious RWA Ideas into
Scalable Protocols
Acceleration & Mentorship
9-week, remote program connecting RWA founders with industry experts, protocol architects, and institutional leaders. Our hands-on mentorship approach includes weekly 1:1 sessions, technical office hours, and strategic guidance from operators who've scaled billion-dollar asset management platforms
Product & Token Strategy
Support for designing institutional-grade tokenization infrastructure. From compliance-first token architecture to governance mechanisms, we help founders build protocols that meet regulatory standards while enabling seamless asset digitization and secondary market liquidity.
Fundraising Readiness
Investor preparation program featuring pitch refinement, due diligence support, and direct access to crypto VCs and institutional capital. Our founders graduate with investor materials, validated financial models, and warm introductions to leading funds focused on RWA infrastructure.
Regulatory & Legal Support
Navigate complex regulatory landscapes with guidance from top digital compliance experts. Receive jurisdiction analysis, entity structuring advice, and compliance frameworks designed specifically for RWA protocols operating across global markets.
Network & Distribution
Access to institutional partners. Connect with asset originators, compliance providers, and enterprise customers through our curated network of RWA ecosystem participants. This network accelerates go-to-market efforts and helps projects establish credibility and traction from day one.
Go-to-Market & Growth
Strategic support for customer acquisition, partnership development, and market positioning. Learn institutional sales processes, community building tactics, and growth strategies proven effective for RWA protocols targeting enterprise and retail markets.
RWAs: The Next Frontier
Crypto is a ~$4 trillion asset class. That’s massive — until you compare it to the ~$12 trillion managed by BlackRock alone, or the hundreds of trillions in assets that exist across real estate, commodities, equities, bonds, and private credit globally. RWAs represent crypto’s biggest unlock yet — not just by bringing existing financial products onchain, but by allowing us to reimagine how they’re accessed, traded, and structured.
Partners
Program timeline
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Week 0
APPLICATION PROCESS
(July 31 – August 15)
- Applications for the Ascend program open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. We'll be selecting 6–8 standout founders for this cohort.
- We're looking for bold ideas, strong execution potential, and alignment with Ascend's mission. Innovation, technical depth, and clarity of purpose will stand out.
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to interviews throughout the application window. Final decisions will be communicated by August 29.
Week 1
KICK-OFF
(September 1–5)
- Welcome to Ascend. This is where momentum begins. Let's build something real.
- In this first week, we'll align on expectations, lay out the 9-week journey ahead, and help you define your goals and success metrics.
- You'll meet your fellow founders, get onboarded into the partner ecosystem, finalize OKRs, and connect with mentors who will support you along the way.
Week 2
PRODUCT-MARKET FIT
(September 8–12)
- Zero in on your users. This week is all about refining your product iteration to meet a real market need.
- With guidance from experienced operators, you'll validate assumptions, and sharpen your product strategy.
- Explore practical frameworks for customer discovery, pain point analysis, and building solutions that stick.
Week 3
SHIPPING PRODUCT
(September 15–19)
- Time to ship. You'll focus on delivering your MVP or its next iteration, moving from concept to tangible progress.
- Get technical feedback, product reviews, and rapid iteration support from mentors and fellow founders.
- Learn lean development techniques and build the habit of delivering quickly and consistently.
Week 4
PROTOCOL DESIGN
(September 22–26)
- From token design to smart contracts, we'll work through the core mechanics of your protocol.
- You'll learn how to structure decentralized systems, design with security in mind, develop tokenomics, and avoid costly technical pitfalls.
- Expect hands-on sessions and architecture reviews to level up your project's protocol layer.
Week 5
GTM & GROWTH
(September 29 – October 3)
- Now that you've built it, how will they come? This week is all about distribution and user acquisition.
- Develop your go-to-market plan, identify the best growth channels, and start laying the foundation for scale.
- Work with marketing and growth experts to define metrics, sharpen messaging, and build traction early.
Week 6
FUNDRAISING
(October 6–10)
- Whether you're raising from angels, or VCs, this week is designed to help you get investor-ready.
- Learn how to craft a story that resonates, design fair deal structures, and pitch with clarity and confidence.
- You'll get direct feedback from investors and sharpen your fundraising strategy ahead of Demo Day.
Week 7
REGULATORY & LEGAL
(October 13–17)
- Learn how to navigate the evolving legal landscape around tokenized assets.
- We'll dive into licensing, compliance, cross-border structuring, and regulatory frameworks with top legal minds.
- Walk away with the tools to manage risk and structure your project responsibly across jurisdictions.
Week 8
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
(October 20–24)
- Great tech alone isn't enough. This week is about building a resilient team and cultivating a real community.
- Learn how to scale culture as you grow, hire intentionally, and create rituals that sustain your mission.
- You'll also explore community-building strategies to turn early users into long-term advocates.
Week 9
DEMO DAY
(October 30)
- Your moment. Demo Day is your chance to showcase your work to investors, partners, and the broader ecosystem.
- You'll pitch your product, share traction, and outline your roadmap—with up to $500K in funding available across the cohort.
- Close out the program by connecting with the wider Ascend community and kicking off your next chapter with momentum.
Mentors
Benson
OKX Dev
Jose Molina
CEO Warr3n
Phil Hedayatnia
Co-founder & creative director, Airfoil
Johnny Reinsch
Tokenized asset coalition, tradable.xyz
Bhaji Illuminati
CEO, Centrifuge
FAQ
What is Ascend?
Ascend is a 9-week intensive accelerator dedicated exclusively to Real World Asset (RWA) startups. We're a partnership between Plume Network and Odisea, backed by leading institutional partners including Anchorage Digital, Centrifuge, RWA.xyz, and the Tokenized Asset Coalition.
When does the program run?
The program runs from September 1 - October 30, 2025, culminating in Demo Day. The format is fully remote with structured weekly sessions and mentorship.
How many companies do you accept?
We select 6-8 carefully chosen early-stage RWA companies from hundreds of global applications.
Is there a fee for participating in the program?
No, the program is completely free. If startups are to raise capital at Demo Day, they will negotiate with investors on the terms of the investment.
What funding is available at Ascend?
At Demo Day, we are earmarking up to $500K in funding for the leading teams in the program, the investment will be allocated following the presentation of the teams at Demo Day.
What stage of company are you looking for?
We target pre-seed companies with working products, real traction, and institutional focus. Ideal candidates are ready to raise their next funding round and scale their RWA solutions.
What RWA verticals do you support?
We work with companies across all RWA verticals including real estate, treasury bills, corporate bonds, private credit, commodities, infrastructure assets, and other tokenizable assets.
What's the application process?
Applications close August 15, 2025. They will be reviewed on a rolling basis, the process includes an online application, two rounds of interviews (screening + partner evaluation), with the maximum final deadline of announcement on August 29th.
Do you accept international teams?
Yes, we welcome applications globally. The program is fully remote, accommodating founders from different time zones.
What's the time commitment?
Expect 3-6 hours per week including live sessions, weekly check-ins, office hours, and deliverable preparation. This is an intensive program requiring full commitment.
What does a typical week look like?
Each week includes 2 to 4 live sessions (workshops, AMAs, panels), a 30-minute 1:1 check-in, office hours with mentors, and optional peer sync sessions.
Do you take equity?
No, Ascend does not take equity. We're focused on pure value creation through mentorship, network access, and ecosystem integration.
Who are your mentors?
Our mentor network includes former executives from asset managers, banks, and custody providers; successful RWA founders; regulatory experts; and technical leaders from blockchain infrastructure companies.
How do you match founders with mentors?
We match based on your specific needs, expertise gaps, and business focus. Each founder typically works with 2-3 mentors throughout the program.
What partner benefits do I get?
Direct access to institutional infrastructure (Anchorage), DeFi protocols (Centrifuge), market research (RWA.xyz), regulatory expertise (TAC), and technical integration support (Plume).
What happens at Demo Day?
Demo Day features 4-minute founder presentations to a curated audience of investors, institutional partners, and industry leaders, followed by networking and 1:1 meetings.
What support do you provide after the program?
Our top 3 performing teams receive extended support including bi-weekly check-ins, ecosystem integration help, and investor follow-up for an additional month.
What technical requirements do I need?
Reliable internet, professional video setup for calls, and the ability to participate in live sessions during program hours.
Can my whole team participate?
Yes, we encourage team participation. However, one person should be designated as the primary program representative for coordination purposes.
What deliverables are required?
Each week has specific deliverables ranging from customer discovery reports to pitch decks, technical roadmaps, and compliance plans. These ensure consistent progress throughout the program.
What makes a strong application?
Strong applications demonstrate: clear RWA market opportunity, working product with user traction, experienced team with relevant background, institutional focus, and realistic path to scale.
What are common reasons for rejection?
Common issues include: no working product, unclear business model, lack of RWA focus, insufficient team experience, or unrealistic market assumptions.
Can I reapply if rejected?
Yes, we encourage strong teams to reapply to future cohorts as their companies develop. We provide feedback to help guide your development.
Ready to Ascend?
Join the next generation of RWA startups in our 9-week intensive accelerator program. Applications close August 15th, 2025.
6-8
Selected Startups
$500K
Funding Opportunity
9 Weeks
Intensive Program