Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) is working to update the financial system that was built over 100 years ago by using crypto to provide people with more economic freedom and opportunity.
To advance this purpose, Coinbase is building what it claims it the most “trusted” crypto products and services, and supporting other builders to bring over 1B people into crypto.
One of the many ways that Coinbase directly “supports the cryptoeconomy is through its investment arm, Coinbase Ventures.”
Coinbase Ventures claims that it “invests in exceptional founders who share Coinbase’s mission of creating more economic freedom for the world.”
Coinbase Ventures and Haun Ventures are announcing “support for the Bounds Accelerator, an Arkansas-based emerging technology startup accelerator launched by the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Cartwheel Studio.”
The Bounds Accelerator, “leveraging emerging technologies like blockchain, AI, and AR/VR, will unite entrepreneurs, industry leaders, tech experts, and startups to advance digital transformation in the retail value chain.”
Arkansas has “a history and culture of entrepreneurship, including initiatives in Northwest Arkansas spurred by the Walton Family Foundation that connect entrepreneurs with capital and offer technical assistance and business support.”
Blockchain technology allows “for entrepreneurship to be encouraged across a wide variety of geographic zones and decentralized computing meeting Arkansas entrepreneurship is a powerful combination when it comes to being a catalyst for new ideas, new companies and new jobs.”
The 16-week accelerator program is “accepting applications from startups with a US based location or representative until November 3, 2023.”
The program begins on January 8, 2024 and is “bookended by an in-person orientation and demo day event in Bentonville, with weekly remote learning and mentoring sessions.” The Public-Private partnership as “a function of the role the University of Arkansas is playing to help position Arkansas for the next generation of the internet.”
Shan Aggarwal, Vice President and Head of Corporate Development and Ventures at Coinbase says:
“Arkansas has historically been a key player in the retail value chain. We are excited to support the Bounds Accelerator teams as they harness blockchain technology to foster innovation in this crucial sector. We also look forward to considering potential investments from program graduates in the future.”
Coinbase recently hosted Stand With Crypto Day, “where 40+ founders from across the US flew to DC to advocate for forward-looking crypto regulation.”
Additionally, Coinbase has “hosted events in states such as Ohio and New York to highlight the state level economic impact of crypto.”
Support for the larger crypto ecosystem is “essential to Coinbase’s mission to advance economic freedom through crypto and blockchain innovations.”
