Nailwal Fellowship by Symbolic Capital
Empowering the next generation of web3 entrepreneurs with capital and mentorship.
Overview
The Nailwal Fellowship, founded by Sandeep Nailwal (Polygon co-founder) in partnership with Symbolic Capital, is a web3-focused fellowship program that provides capital, mentorship, and founder networks to the brightest minds building in blockchain and decentralized systems. The program invests in global founders committed to building the future of web3 through decentralized applications (dApps) and emerging blockchain infrastructure.
Investment focus
The investment thesis focuses on consumer-facing dApps with clear user value propositions, teams with deep blockchain and product expertise, and sustainable applications that contribute to long-term ecosystem-building.
Program details
Focus on building a strong user value proposition and demonstrate your team's expertise in blockchain technology.
Who it is for
Open to global founders building in web3 and blockchain.
Check if you are eligible
Check your eligibility for Nailwal Fellowship by Symbolic CapitalAdmissions and application
Applications are open from May through early June, followed by interviews in late June. The cohort begins in August and concludes in January.
Benefits
Participants receive $50,000 in capital, hands-on mentorship from industry partners, access to founder and investor networks, and opportunities for community engagement.
Timeline
The program runs for six months from August through January, with applications opening in May.
What came of it
Cohort 1 results showed fellows successfully closing venture rounds from tier-1 VCs and joining top-tier accelerators, demonstrating early product-market fit in web3 applications.
How to go about it
- Read what it asks for
Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.
- Have something to show
Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.
- Apply the way the program asks
The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.
What it pays
Direct capital injection of $50,000 per fellow, focusing on founder-friendly, flexible deployment.
Questions about this program
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts for six months.
How many fellows are accepted per cohort?
There are 10 fellows per cohort.
About Symbolic Capital
Symbolic Capital
Venture Capital
Investing in web3 founders globally.
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From public sources
What the sources say about Nailwal Fellowship by Symbolic Capital
The program's April 2024 release reported a $4.5 million seed round for alumnus Remi Gai's Inco Network.
Source: Sandeep Nailwal-Backed Nailwal Fellowship Concludes First Cohort with Founders Raising from T1 Funds and Joining Top Accelerators - EIN PresswireAn April 2024 release from the program's team reported graduation of its first cohort.
Source: Sandeep Nailwal-Backed Nailwal Fellowship Concludes First Cohort with Founders Raising from T1 Funds and Joining Top Accelerators - EIN PresswireThe official directory displays seven named 2024 fellow profiles; this is not a verified completion count.
Source: Our Nailwal Fellows: Brightest Minds in Web3 DevelopmentThe November 2023 announcement described a subsequent rolling application process for women, not verified current intake.
Source: Introducing the 2023 Nailwal FellowsThe fellowship reported a selection rate below 1.5% for its initial cohort in November 2023.
Source: Introducing the 2023 Nailwal FellowsIn November 2023, the fellowship announced eight selected individuals for its first cohort.
Source: Introducing the 2023 Nailwal Fellows
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