Blockchain technology is cutting across verticals and physical borders as it is applied to solve problems from healthcare to logistics to finance. There are, however, few resources to help startup or early-stage businesses grow their companies using blockchain. There is only one resource preparing companies to compete in the global markets – the Blockchain Accelerator for Global Growth.

The Blockchain Accelerator for Global Growth, one of the accelerator programs of the International Business Accelerator (IBA), is now accepting applications for its Spring 2019 Accelerator Cohorts. The 12-week program starts March 20, 2019, at the University of Southern California (USC) Blackstone LaunchPad in Los Angeles, CA and March 22, 2019, in Menlo Park, CA. The Menlo Park program will be live-streamed from the 8to8 secure conferencing facility, allowing companies to participate anywhere in the world.

The twelve-week program (three in-person and three online workshops) prepares companies using blockchain technologies to scale their technology and user base, procure partnerships and expand their reach across borders. During the cohort, companies become highly fundable with our “Due Diligence Intensive” process. The workshops cover critical topics such as entity formation, global taxation, blockchain specific accounting issues, managing cultural differences, blockchain selection, and funding opportunities. In between workshops, IBA coaches work with companies to implement workshop content into business practices. The 12-week program culminates with a Demo Day, where startups pitch their products or services to investors, executives, and industry experts.

The live-streamed Menlo Park program enables innovative companies to participate from locations around the US or globally. The workshops are recorded for later viewing, allowing companies to take part in the program, no matter their time zone.

“We are excited to have our second cohort starting after our successful Demo Day at USC. Our companies that graduated gained clients and funding prior to our demo day.  We are looking forward to working with more companies worldwide”, states Barbara Bickham, Chief of the Block, the Blockchain Accelerator. IBA Founder Christopher Lynch adds “The IBA methodology works particularly well with blockchain companies since the companies are by definition global from the get-go.”

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Companies using, or eager to use, blockchain technology as part of their product/service offerings, with or without using tokens or cryptocurrencies, should apply. Companies can be early stage or startup, ideally with a team of two or more founders and may be based anywhere in the US or around the world. The successful founders in the IBA program have passion, perseverance and persistence.

Women entrepreneurs, minority startups, and founders-over-forty are highly encouraged to apply. Approximately 60% of previous IBA companies have women founders and 50% are minority owned.

How Does the Accelerator Prepare Blockchain Companies for Global Growth?

The Blockchain Accelerator for Global Growth has a unique focus on global business and gives the participants hands-on learning and coaching. The results speak for themselves. Here are two success stories from the first cohort (at USC, October 2018 to January ‘19):

The Labz is a collaborative platform providing automated tracking, rights management and protection of digital assets during and after the creative process. The Blockchain Accelerator workshops helped The Labz with its data room, pitch deck, Blockchain selection, and beyond. The Labz was accepted into Quake Capital's Los Angeles Spring program which included a $200K cash infusion.

Before coming to market, the iPill Dispenser used the IBA’s ‘Blockchain Accelerator for Global Growth’ for two purposes. First, iPill built out its advanced tech platform for collecting and reporting biometric data between patient and medical professional. Second, it prepared itself for offering its life-saving solution to foreign markets like the UK, Canada and Australia. After learning about Australian clinical trial rebates and incentives, the UK’s millions in knowledge transfer partnership funds and Canadian opportunities, iPill can confidently decide the easiest and most profitable market for expansion. iPill was selected by the US Food and Drug Administration as one of eight companies to fast-track solutions for the US opioid crisis. With its sound global growth strategy, iPill received investment offers from hundreds of millions of dollars to outright purchase. Long-time IBA service provider KPMG provided legal counsel and guidance for growth projections, valuation, divestiture strategies and cross-border finance.

For More Information and to Apply:

Applications close on Friday, March 8th, 2019.  Apply at https://www.iba.io/iba-blockchain or  Gust: https://bit.ly/2Oymqtu or F6S: https://bit.ly/2JaSyhX .

Contacts:

• Barbara Bickham, Chief of the Block, Founder Trailyn Ventures, LLC, Blockchain Advisory. email: barbara@barbarabickham.com
• Chris Lynch, President, Community Vitalization Council (CiViC 180), a 501(c)3 non-profit. The IBA is a program of CiViC 180. email: clynch@iba.io
• Michael McClune, Manager, International Business Accelerator, email: m.mcclune@iba.io

About The Blockchain Accelerator for Global Growth: The ‘Due Diligence Intensive’ prepares companies for funding readiness and to grow and scale internationally. As a part of the International Business Accelerator,  we offer unparalleled acceleration programs, sessions, workshops, and advisory services.