# Kuberna Labs — Accelerator Intelligence Report

## Compiled May 7, 2026

Prepared for: Kuberna Labs (17-year-old founder, Kigali, Rwanda)
Product: Open-source SDK for AI agents to autonomously execute cross-chain transactions via intents, TEEs, and zkTLS
Status: Smart contracts on testnet (Base Sepolia, 0G Galileo, NEAR), TypeScript SDK shipped, backend services, React dashboard, full docs — all solo, zero funding, MIT licensed, building in public.

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## TIER 1: HIGHEST CHANCE

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### 1. Alliance (Crypto & AI Accelerator)

- **Location:** New York City (2-week in-person kickoff, then 8 weeks remote)
- **Apply:** https://alliance.xyz/apply
- **Deadline:** Early admission May 27, 2026 for ALL18 (starts Sep 7, 2026). Rolling reviews year-round.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Alliance is the #1 crypto-specific accelerator. Their thesis is "crypto & AI" — your exact intersection. They back pre-product, pre-revenue teams. Cross-chain intents SDK + TEE/zkTLS stack is a perfect match. $500k investment via SAFE at $5M cap with token side letter.
- **Expenses:** $500k investment. No stipend — funding covers runway. You handle travel/accommodation. No explicit visa support but they work with global founders.
- **Notable alumni:** pump.fun, fantasy.top, moonshot. ~1,700 apps for 20 spots.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No special programs but highly meritocratic. Solo founders accepted.
- **Tips:** Apply by May 27 for early review. Emphasize shipped code (testnet contracts, SDK, dashboard) — they value shipping above all. Mention zkTLS and TEE integrations specifically; these are hot theses. Keep application under 20 min.
- **Success probability:** ~3-5%

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### 2. a16z speedrun

- **Location:** San Francisco (in-person, Jul 27 – Oct 11, 2026)
- **Apply:** https://speedrun.a16z.com/apply
- **Deadline:** May 17, 2026 (11:59pm PT) — 10 days from now. APPLY IMMEDIATELY.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Backs "generational companies" at earliest stage. Built product in AI x crypto infrastructure — their sweet spot. Up to $1M investment ($500k upfront SAFE + $500k follow-on). $5M+ in credits.
- **Expenses:** $500k-$1M investment covers runway. Must relocate to SF. Visa support explicitly offered ("even visa support"). No separate travel stipend but capital covers it.
- **Notable alumni:** 150+ startups funded since 2023, $180M deployed.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No age-based program but explicitly international-friendly. Solo founders accepted.
- **Tips:** Submit in 10 days. Age is an asset — speedrun loves exceptional young technical founders. Lead with shipped code and open-source GitHub. Use demo video field to show SDK working cross-chain. Mention Rwanda base as emerging-market advantage.
- **Success probability:** ~2-4%

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### 3. a16z CSX (Crypto Startup Accelerator)

- **Location:** San Francisco (in-person, ~10 weeks)
- **Apply:** https://cryptostartupschool.a16z.com/submit
- **Deadline:** No current cohort deadline visible as of May 7, 2026. Likely next cohort Fall 2026.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** a16z's dedicated crypto accelerator. $500k minimum investment. Cross-chain intents + zkTLS + TEE stack is exactly the kind of infrastructure a16z crypto backs.
- **Expenses:** $500k investment. In-person SF. a16z helps with visa logistics for international founders.
- **Notable alumni:** Leading web3 infrastructure companies.
- **Young/underrepresented:** International founders from 6+ countries in CSX 04 cohort.
- **Tips:** Next cohort likely opens late summer for Fall 2026. Watch https://a16zcrypto.com/accelerator/ for announcements. Submit early interest now. zkTLS work aligns with their privacy/infrastructure thesis.
- **Success probability:** ~3-5% (when cohort opens)

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### 4. Thiel Fellowship

- **Location:** Remote (no relocation required)
- **Apply:** https://thielfellowship.org/apply
- **Deadline:** Rolling — no deadline, apply anytime
- **Why Kuberna fits:** You are literally the target demographic: 17, no degree, building real technology, shipped working code. $250k grant over 2 years, zero equity taken. Highest-value option.
- **Expenses:** $250k grant (100% covered). No relocation needed. No strings attached.
- **Notable alumni:** Dylan Field (Figma), Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Boyan Slat (The Ocean Cleanup), Austin Russell (Luminar).
- **Young/underrepresented:** This IS the program for young founders. Must be <=22, no university degree. ~20-30 fellows/year from ~0.1% acceptance rate.
- **Tips:** Apply NOW — rolling. Your story is exceptional: 17-year-old in Kigali building cross-chain AI infrastructure solo. Emphasize open-source, technical complexity (zkTLS, TEEs, intents), building-in-public ethos. Thiel values contrarian thinking and technical ambition over business plans.
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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### 5. Zynaris Accelerator

- **Location:** Hybrid (2 weeks in-person, 6 weeks online)
- **Apply:** https://zynaris.io/
- **Deadline:** Rolling — next cohort Q3 2026. Hackathon IV starts Jun 15, 2026.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Chain-agnostic Web3 accelerator with specific categories: AI, Infrastructure, cross-chain. $250k investment. They explicitly back multi-chain and cross-chain projects. Infrastructure vertical covers bridges, ZK, developer tooling — your SDK maps perfectly.
- **Expenses:** $250k investment. You cover travel. Hybrid format reduces costs.
- **Notable alumni:** Portfolio of crypto infrastructure projects.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No geographic restrictions. Solo founders and teams welcome.
- **Tips:** Apply for accelerator directly (not just hackathon). Working testnet deployments and open-source SDK are strong signals. Mention chain-agnostic architecture explicitly.
- **Success probability:** ~10-15%

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### 6. Rapid Accelerator (Blockchain Infrastructure)

- **Location:** Remote (12 weeks)
- **Apply:** https://www.rapid-accelerator.com/
- **Deadline:** Last cohort deadline was Apr 30, 2026. Watch for next batch.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Most specific fit for Kuberna Labs. They fund "foundational blockchain infrastructure" — DA layers, ZK systems, bridges, interoperability. They explicitly list "permissionless cross-chain communication using ZK light clients" as an example. $50M+ deployed by team. 8-10 teams per batch.
- **Expenses:** Seed capital provided. Remote program minimizes costs.
- **Notable alumni:** Foundational crypto infrastructure projects.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No special programs but meritocratic.
- **Tips:** Next batch likely opens late 2026. Watch the site. zkTLS + cross-chain intents architecture maps 1:1 to their thesis ("trust-minimized cross-chain communication"). Apply with GitHub and testnet deployments.
- **Success probability:** ~15-25%

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### 7. Outlier Ventures — Post Web Base Camp

- **Location:** Remote (12 weeks)
- **Apply:** https://outlierventures.io/base-camp/
- **Deadline:** Accepting early applications for 2026 cohort
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Outlier Ventures coined "The Post Web" thesis — convergence of decentralized AI, autonomous agents, and privacy-first systems. They specifically back "Crypto X Agentic AI" and "infrastructure for agentic web." $150k investment + $350k follow-on. They invested in Fetch.ai before it was mainstream.
- **Expenses:** $150k investment. Remote program — no relocation costs.
- **Notable alumni:** 355+ startups accelerated, including Fetch.ai and other DeAI pioneers.
- **Young/underrepresented:** Global program, geographically diverse portfolio across 60+ countries.
- **Tips:** "AI agents autonomously executing cross-chain transactions via intents" is the exact thesis of their Post Web program. Emphasize agentic AI angle heavily. Register interest on their site.
- **Success probability:** ~10-20%

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## TIER 2: MEDIUM CHANCE

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### 8. Y Combinator (Summer 2026 — late application)

- **Location:** San Francisco (in-person, Jul-Sep 2026)
- **Apply:** https://apply.ycombinator.com/
- **Deadline:** On-time deadline was May 4, 2026 — but they still accept late applications. Apply NOW.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** YC funds any ambitious technical founder. Backed Coinbase, OpenSea, countless crypto infrastructure companies. $500k standard deal ($125k + $375k MFN). Solo founders accepted.
- **Expenses:** $500k investment. Must relocate to SF. YC provides immigration attorney support for visas. No separate travel/housing stipend, but funding covers runway.
- **Notable alumni:** Airbnb, Stripe, Coinbase, DoorDash, OpenAI. ~1% acceptance rate. ~260 companies per batch.
- **Young/underrepresented:** YC funds founders from 50+ countries. Many teen founders accepted.
- **Tips:** Apply as late application NOW. Key pitch: 17-year-old solo founder in Rwanda building cross-chain intents layer for AI agents. YC loves contrarian, hard-tech stories. Mention shipped code, open-source GitHub, testnet deployments. Include video (under 1 min) showing SDK working.
- **Success probability:** ~1-2%

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### 9. Entrepreneur First — The Bridge Residency (SF)

- **Location:** San Francisco (8-week residency in Hacker House)
- **Apply:** https://apply.joinef.com/
- **Deadline:** Rolling for Summer 2026 Bridge Residency (starts July 2026)
- **Why Kuberna fits:** EF's "Bridge" program provides full housing and board, visa support, and up to $250k funding. You don't even need a co-founder or idea — they invest in individuals. You already have idea and shipped code, which is massive advantage.
- **Expenses:** Full housing and board covered during 8-week residency. Visa support provided. Up to $250k equity-free Talent Investment (grant) during FORM phase, then $125k-$250k investment post-IC. Most generous expense coverage on this list.
- **Notable alumni:** Multiple AI and deep-tech unicorns.
- **Young/underrepresented:** EF explicitly seeks "outliers" — people who've achieved exceptional things. Age + location + shipped code is strong outlier narrative.
- **Tips:** Apply for The Bridge Residency (Summer 2026). Emphasize individual trajectory, not just company. EF invests in people first. Mention building everything solo at 17 in Rwanda. Having product puts you ahead of 90% of EF applicants.
- **Success probability:** ~8-15%

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### 10. Antler — Stockholm / Amsterdam / Berlin

- **Location:** Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Berlin (6-10 weeks)
- **Apply:** https://www.antler.co/apply
- **Deadline:** May 11, 2026 (4 days) for next cohort. Sep 14 and Sep 21 cohorts also open.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Backs founders from day zero. EUR 500k initial investment at pre-seed. Dedicated Nordic programs (Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki) and Continental Europe (Amsterdam/Berlin). Invest in <0.2% of applicants.
- **Expenses:** Up to EUR 500k initial investment. Need own visa. No explicit travel/accommodation stipend but investment covers runway. Co-working space provided post-investment.
- **Notable alumni:** Portfolio across 27 locations, multiple unicorns.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No age-specific program, but fund solo founders. Nordic programs open to international founders.
- **Tips:** Submit for May 11 if possible, otherwise target September cohorts. Emphasize cross-chain infrastructure thesis and built product. Antler likes "escape velocity" founders.
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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### 11. Techstars — SF / Berlin / Amsterdam (Future of Finance)

- **Location:** Multiple (SF, London, Berlin, Amsterdam)
- **Apply:** https://www.techstars.com/accelerators
- **Deadline:** Varies. ABN AMRO + Techstars Future of Finance (Amsterdam): apply by Jun 10, 2026 (starts Sep 14). Berlin and SF: TBD.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Techstars Berlin seeks Web3 + AI/ML founders. Amsterdam "Future of Finance" mentions "digital assets" and "infrastructure for new financial system." $120k investment typically.
- **Expenses:** $120k investment. No explicit travel stipend. Techstars helps with visa logistics.
- **Notable alumni:** Chainalysis, Zipline, DataRobot, Alloy, SendGrid.
- **Young/underrepresented:** "Rising Stars" program for underrepresented founders. Explicitly seek diverse founding teams.
- **Tips:** Focus on Techstars Berlin (Web3 + AI) or ABN AMRO + Techstars Amsterdam (digital assets, apply by Jun 10).
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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### 12. Startup Wise Guys — Web3 Accelerator

- **Location:** Tallinn, Estonia / Lisbon, Portugal (hybrid — 80% online, 20% in-person)
- **Apply:** https://startupwiseguys.com/growing/flagship-accelerator/
- **Deadline:** Rolling (first-come, first-served)
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Dedicated Web3 accelerator track. EUR 115k-EUR 150k convertible investment. Seek "Web3 startups working with blockchain technology, DeFi, AI + ML integration into Web3."
- **Expenses:** EUR 115k investment covers program costs (EUR 35k program fee deducted). Hybrid format — only 2-3 weeks onsite in Tallinn or Lisbon, which you cover.
- **Notable alumni:** 20+ exits, 800+ founders across 60 countries.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No geographic restrictions. Explicitly seek "overlooked founders in new places."
- **Tips:** Need minimum 2 team members. Consider finding co-founder. Emphasize working MVP and testnet traction.
- **Success probability:** ~15-25%

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### 13. dAGI Accelerator (Delphi Labs / cyber.Fund)

- **Location:** Remote + in-person kickoff (8 weeks)
- **Apply:** https://www.dagi.house/
- **Deadline:** Watch for next cohort announcements (most recent ran early 2025).
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Most thesis-aligned program. "Agentic Economies, Multi-Agent Orchestration, decentralized AI infrastructure." Up to $500k investment, $200k+ compute credits, no equity, no fees. Only 8 teams per cohort.
- **Expenses:** Up to $500k investment (no equity). Airfare reimbursed for in-person kickoff. Compute credits included.
- **Notable alumni:** 8 teams from previous cohort raised $20M+ post-program from Tier 1 VCs.
- **Young/underrepresented:** Meritocratic, no restrictions.
- **Tips:** AI agents executing cross-chain transactions via intents is the exact thesis. This program was made for Kuberna Labs. Watch for next cohort and apply the moment it opens.
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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### 14. Quantara Labs (AI x Web3)

- **Location:** Remote (6-month program)
- **Apply:** https://quantaralabs.net/
- **Deadline:** Applications closing soon for 2026
- **Why Kuberna fits:** "Backing the Future of AI x Web3" — their exact thesis. Up to $500k funding. Focus on AI infrastructure, crypto-native GTM. Expertise in LLM ops, on-chain inference.
- **Expenses:** Up to $500k investment. Remote program.
- **Notable alumni:** AI x Web3 infrastructure projects backed by Chainlink, Uniswap, Anthropic.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No restrictions.
- **Tips:** zkTLS and TEE work for AI agent cross-chain execution maps well. Apply via their site ASAP.
- **Success probability:** ~10-20%

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## TIER 3: WORTHWHILE LONG SHOTS

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### 15. Founders Factory — London (Coinbase/Fabric/Animoca Web3)

- **Location:** London (4 months)
- **Apply:** https://foundersfactory.com/accelerator/
- **Deadline:** Applications currently open (rolling)
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Dedicated Coinbase + Fabric Ventures + Animoca Brands Web3 Accelerator in London (up to GBP 250k). Also Aviva Fintech Accelerator (GBP 50k).
- **Expenses:** GBP 50k-GBP 250k investment. Self-fund travel/accommodation in London.
- **Notable alumni:** Monolith AI, Storyblok, Perlego, Fundamental VR.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No special programs, but global founder base.
- **Tips:** Apply to Coinbase/Fabric/Animoca Web3 accelerator specifically.
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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### 16. Seedcamp (London)

- **Location:** London (not fixed-length; ongoing support)
- **Apply:** https://seedcamp.com/ (Pitch Us page)
- **Deadline:** Rolling — year-round applications
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Europe's leading pre-seed fund. Backed Revolut, Wise, UiPath, Sorare, Synthesia. Up to EUR 475k investment.
- **Expenses:** Investment only. No relocation required.
- **Notable alumni:** Revolut, Wise, UiPath, Sorare, Synthesia, Typeform.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No special programs.
- **Tips:** Apply via pitch form. Emphasize global ambition from African base.
- **Success probability:** ~5-8%

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### 17. Rockstart — Emerging Tech (Amsterdam / Copenhagen)

- **Location:** Amsterdam, Copenhagen (6 months)
- **Apply:** https://rockstart.com/emerging-tech/
- **Deadline:** Rolling — year-round applications
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Dedicated "Emerging Tech" program covering Web3 & Blockchain, AI/ML, infrastructure. EUR 60M+ total funds.
- **Expenses:** EUR 37k-EUR 200k investment depending on program. You cover own costs.
- **Notable alumni:** Portfolio valued at $1.3B+.
- **Young/underrepresented:** Seek complementary teams; solo founders less preferred.
- **Tips:** Consider finding co-founder before applying.
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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### 18. Tachyon / Consensys Mesh (Web3)

- **Location:** Remote
- **Apply:** https://tachyon.xyz/
- **Deadline:** Rolling (currently paused for summer; reopens fall 2026)
- **Why Kuberna fits:** First dedicated Web3 accelerator (founded 2017). $150k-$250k investment for 4% equity. Focused on AI x Crypto. Linea (zkEVM) partnership.
- **Expenses:** Investment only. Fully remote.
- **Notable alumni:** 90+ alumni. Gitcoin, Gnosis incubated by Consensys Mesh.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No restrictions.
- **Tips:** Apply now for fall review. Emphasize EVM compatibility (Base Sepolia, NEAR) and zkTLS work.
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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### 19. LongHashX Accelerator

- **Location:** Singapore / Remote
- **Apply:** https://www.longhash.vc/accelerator
- **Deadline:** Check for next cohort announcements
- **Why Kuberna fits:** Leading Web3 accelerator with strongest Asia network. Multi-chain infrastructure focus. 80+ projects accelerated, $150M+ raised.
- **Expenses:** $100k investment typically. Help with fundraising.
- **Notable alumni:** Polkadot ecosystem projects, multi-chain infrastructure.
- **Young/underrepresented:** Global sourcing but strong Asia focus.
- **Tips:** Less ideal geographic fit but strong thesis alignment for cross-chain infrastructure.
- **Success probability:** ~5-8%

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### 20. ClawFund — AI Agent Accelerator

- **Location:** San Francisco (12 weeks)
- **Apply:** https://clawfund.co/
- **Deadline:** Spring 2026 batch likely closed. Watch for Summer/Fall 2026.
- **Why Kuberna fits:** First accelerator built for autonomous AI agents. $25k + $5k compute via SAFE at 7%. Fund agents that "take real actions, replace workflows."
- **Expenses:** $30k total funding. Must be in SF for 12 weeks.
- **Notable alumni:** Backed by operators from OpenAI, Anthropic, YC, a16z, Google.
- **Young/underrepresented:** No restrictions.
- **Tips:** Watch for next cohort. Agent does real work (cross-chain execution) — what they fund.
- **Success probability:** ~5-10%

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## QUICK-ACTION SUMMARY

### Apply THIS WEEK (deadlines imminent):

1. **a16z speedrun** — May 17 deadline → https://speedrun.a16z.com/apply
2. **Y Combinator SU26** — Late applications accepted NOW → https://apply.ycombinator.com/
3. **Antler** — May 11 (Nordic/Europe) or Sep cohorts → https://www.antler.co/apply
4. **Alliance ALL18** — Early admission May 27 → https://alliance.xyz/apply
5. **Thiel Fellowship** — Rolling, apply now → https://thielfellowship.org/apply
6. **Startup Wise Guys Web3** — Rolling → https://startupwiseguys.com/growing/flagship-accelerator/
7. **Entrepreneur First Bridge** — Rolling, Summer 2026 → https://apply.joinef.com/

### Priority watchlist (next cohort windows):

- Outlier Ventures Post Web Base Camp — register interest now
- dAGI Accelerator (Delphi Labs) — watch for next 8-team cohort
- Rapid Accelerator — blockchain infrastructure, strong fit
- Zynaris Accelerator — Q3 2026 cohort
- a16z CSX — Fall 2026 cohort likely

### Key recommendation:

Apply to a16z speedrun (May 17), Alliance (May 27), and Thiel Fellowship (rolling) THIS WEEK. These are your highest-ROI applications. YC late application is worth doing simultaneously.

Your profile (17, Kigali, solo, shipped working cross-chain infrastructure with TEEs/zkTLS) is genuinely rare and compelling. Emphasize the built product over the idea, your age + location as a signal of exceptional determination, and the open-source MIT nature of your work.
