Alliance Crypto & AI Accelerator

• Suited to founders in AI, crypto, or Web3 at any stage, even those who have already raised capital.

About this scheme

Alliance Crypto and AI Accelerator is a programme built to help crypto and AI startups reach product-market fit. Drawing on deep experience in the Web3 and AI ecosystems, Alliance backs founders building the next generation of decentralised and intelligent technologies, and it works with teams across a wide spectrum, from deeply crypto-native projects to fintechs, payment APIs, and AI products.

Every admitted startup receives Rs. 4.5 crore (about $500,000) in immediate funding, structured as a SAFE at a $5 million post-money valuation and uniquely paired with a 1:1.25 token side letter that aligns incentives with future token appreciation for crypto-native projects. Funds usually arrive within one to two weeks of acceptance, after KYC and payment verification, and can be used to advance product development, sharpen go-to-market, and cover operating needs.

Beyond capital, Alliance runs a 10-week programme that opens with an intensive two-week in-person residency in New York City and continues with eight weeks of remote work, including weekly check-ins, specialised workshops, and lectures from experienced operators. The curriculum addresses the particular challenges of scaling crypto and AI ventures, among them regulatory navigation, tokenomics, smart-contract security, and AI model deployment, and it ends with a Demo Day where startups pitch leading VCs, angels, and experts. Graduates join an alumni community of founders, mentors, and investors, gain over 90 partner deals on services such as cloud computing from Anthropic, AWS, Google Cloud, and OpenAI, and can get visa and immigration guidance through Alliance's legal network. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with the current cohort window running to 22 July 2026.

Who can apply

• Open to startups at any stage, from early ideas to those with initial traction, that are fundamentally building in the crypto or artificial-intelligence sectors.
• The scope is broad, covering blockchain protocols, DeFi applications, AI-powered fintech, secure payment APIs, and AI-driven B2B SaaS.
• The programme places a high value on founder talent and vision and welcomes solo founders.
• Individual founders are given the same resources and community typically associated with larger teams.

Benefits & funding

• Rs. 4.5 crore (about $500,000) in funding via a SAFE at a $5 million post-money valuation, with a 1:1.25 token side letter.
• A 10-week programme with a two-week New York residency followed by eight weeks remote, including weekly check-ins, workshops, and lectures.
• A tailored curriculum, a Demo Day, an alumni community, networking, over 90 deals on cloud credits from the likes of AWS, Google Cloud, and OpenAI, and visa and immigration legal guidance.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Alliance, in your own name.

1. 1

   Submit an application, which Alliance mentors review within about a week.

2. 2

   Promising teams are invited to a focused 15-minute video interview.

3. 3

   Final decisions are sent by email within one to two business days of the interview.

Documents checklist 5

• Application form
• Pitch deck or project overview
• KYC documents (for funding)
• Bank account and payment details
• Company incorporation documents

Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.

Frequently asked questions