Sahara Incubator: Build, Scale, and Fund Your AI x Web3 Startup

Mar 13, 2025

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Sahara Incubator—our new program for AI and blockchain founders looking to scale their projects.

Are you building the next big AI-powered Web3 application? Need technical support, investor access, and a clear go-to-market strategy?

The Sahara Incubator is designed for AI and blockchain founders who are ready to take their projects from MVP to market. Over the course of a few months, selected teams will receive:

✅ Hands-on technical support from Sahara AI’s blockchain and AI engineering teams 

✅ Fundraising guidance and introductions to our VC network

✅ 1:1 mentorship with AI, Web3, and business leaders

✅ Industry exposure, including a Demo Day at major events

✅ Potential investment from Sahara AI’s ecosystem fund

Why We Created The Sahara Incubator

Early-stage AI x Web3 founders often face three major roadblocks:

  • Technical complexity – Building scalable AI applications on decentralized infrastructure isn’t easy.

  • Funding challenges – Investors are excited about AI and Web3 but expect clear product-market fit.

  • Go-to-market barriers – Even the best products struggle to gain adoption without the right network and strategy.

That’s why we created the Sahara Incubator—to give builders the technical, financial, and strategic backing they need to succeed.

At Sahara AI, we’ve built one of the strongest decentralized AI platforms—combining AI-native blockchain infrastructure, secure AI tooling, and an ecosystem designed for long-term sustainability. But we know that great technology alone isn’t enough.

This isn’t just another incubator. Sahara AI is backed by top-tier investors, including Pantera Capital, Binance Labs, and Polychain Capital, with participation from leading AI and blockchain funds like Sequoia Capital, Matrix Partners, and Samsung Next. Our advisory network includes AI researchers and executives from Anthropic, Midjourney, and Together AI, ensuring founders have access to the best minds in both AI and Web3.

Through this program, startups will gain direct access to our engineering team, investor network, and ecosystem resources—giving them a real path to scaling and funding their projects.


Who Should Apply?

This incubator is for technical AI and Web3 founders who:

  • Have a working MVP or higher

  • Want to scale and integrate with a decentralized AI ecosystem

  • Are building AI agents, AI-powered dapps, or AI infrastructure on-chain

  • Are looking for expert mentorship, industry exposure, and investor access

If that sounds like you, apply now and join a community of builders shaping the future of AI.


Incubator Benefits

Product and Engineering Support

  • Work directly with Sahara AI’s engineering and product teams

  • Dedicated direct channels for continuous support

  • Participate in co-building sessions with our AI and blockchain experts

Fundraising and VC Investor Access

  • Gain exclusive introductions to Sahara AI’s VC network

  • Join pitch training and investor prep sessions

  • Explore potential funding from the Sahara ecosystem fund

Go-to-Market and Growth Support

  • 1:1 mentorship on product positioning and GTM strategy

  • Hands-on marketing, branding, and storytelling support

  • Demo Day exposure at Sahara AI’s events and top blockchain/AI conferences

  • Access to Sahara’s Distribution Channels

Long-Term Ecosystem Benefits

  • Ongoing advisory support beyond the program

  • Access to Sahara AI’s founder network and strategic partners

  • Funding and growth opportunities as your project scales

Program Timeline

Applications for the Sahara Incubator are now open! If you're an AI x Web3 founder looking to take your project to the next level, this is your opportunity to gain technical support, investor access, and expert mentorship to help you scale.

Mid-April – Applications Close

All applications must be submitted by mid-April. We carefully review each submission, selecting projects that demonstrate strong technical foundations, a clear product vision, and alignment with decentralized AI principles.

Early May (4-6 Weeks) – Incubator Program Begins

The selected teams will enter an intensive 4-6 week program designed to accelerate their growth. This includes:

  • Kickoff Sessions – Meet your cohort, mentors, and Sahara AI’s team (virtual and in-person opportunities).

  • Product Development & Technical Integration – Work closely with our AI and blockchain experts to refine and integrate your project.

  • 1:1 Mentorship & Advisory Support – Learn from industry leaders in AI, Web3, and business strategy.

  • Fundraising & GTM Strategy – Receive hands-on guidance to prepare for investor pitches, user acquisition, and market entry.

  • Demo Day & Graduation – Pitch your project to Sahara AI’s investor network and gain exposure at major AI and Web3 events.

Post-Program Support – Continued Growth & Fundraising

Graduating from the incubator is just the beginning. We maintain long-term relationships with our startups, ensuring continued access to:

  • Fundraising Support – Introductions to Sahara AI’s VC network and strategic investors.

  • Ecosystem Partnerships – Collaboration with AI and Web3 projects across the Sahara ecosystem.

  • Scaling & Adoption – Ongoing advisory sessions to refine your product, business model, and market strategy.

This incubator isn’t just about launching your project—it’s about ensuring its long-term success in the decentralized AI economy.


How to Apply

We’re looking for founders who are serious about building and scaling AI x Web3 projects. To ensure a strong fit, we ask all applicants to provide the following:

A Product Demo Video

Show us your MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in action. The demo video should highlight your project's key functionality, AI and blockchain integration, and any unique features that set it apart. This helps us understand the real-world potential of your product.

A Staging Link to Your MVP

We need to see a working prototype. A staging link (or equivalent) allows us to test your product’s current state and assess its readiness for further development and scaling. This ensures that selected projects are at the right stage for our incubator.

A Brief Plan for Integrating with Sahara AI

How does your project fit into the Sahara AI ecosystem? In a concise but clear explanation, describe the synergy between your product and Sahara AI product offerings and infrastructure, such as our AI Marketplace, Data Services Platform, and the Sahara Blockchain.

This isn’t about proving you have everything figured out. The Sahara Incubator is our way of supporting the next generation of AI x Web3 builders. If you’re ready to scale your AI startup with the right technical, strategic, and financial support—apply today

Learn more at https://saharalabs.ai/incubator