Incubator FAQ

Q: Who is eligible to apply for the Canopy Incubator Program?

A: Canopy welcomes early-stage teams or solo founders worldwide who have an idea or prototype for a project they want to build on the Canopy Network. Ideally, you should be aiming to create your own Nested Chain (sub-chain) on Canopy. There’s no restriction on project domain - DeFi, NFTs, gaming, infracture, social, and more are all welcome. It is expected that applicants will be committed to actively working on their idea (rather than it being just a hobby), since the program is intensive.

Q: Does the program cost anything? Do you take equity or IP rights?

A: No, the program is completely free for participants. Canopy does not take any equity in your startup, and we don’t charge fees. You retain 100% ownership of your project and all its intellectual property. The aim is to support and grow the ecosystem, not to profit from the startups. All support, mentorship, and resources provided are truly no-strings-attached.

Q: Do participants receive funding or investment as part of the incubator?

A: The incubator itself does not directly invest cash in the startups (and thus doesn’t take equity, as noted). Instead, Canopy’s value is in the technical and business contributions. That said, participating can put you in a stronger position to raise funds externally, and can help introduce you to investors.

Q: How long is the program, and what is the time commitment?

A: The core program lasts approximately 10 weeks in a structured format - roughly 1 week of onboarding, 8 weeks of active development and mentorship (Pre-Launch phase), followed by a transition to on-demand support. However, after those 10 weeks, the program will continue to support you as needed (there’s no hard cut-off for mentorship). In terms of weekly commitment, you should expect to engage with mentors at least 1-2 times per week, and spend the majority of your working hours on building your project, especially during the Pre-Launch phase to maximize your progress. Keep in mind that the more time you put in, the more you’ll get out of it.

Q: What happens after I finish the program?

A: Even after the end of the formal incubator phases, there is no end to the relationship. You’ll still have access to the mentors and can reach out for advice or contact any time in the future. Canopy will also support your public launch by sharing your news in the community and connecting you with media or partners if appropriate. You will have an ongoing support network and a lasting connection to Canopy.

Q: What if I don’t have an idea but want to participate?

A: We are always looking for talent to support the incubator teams. Please join our Discord and express your interest in the #contribute channel. A member of the contributing team will coordinate next steps.