Fortify Labs Opens 2026 Applications, Offering $1.3M in Funding for Web3 Founders
What’s New: Extended Mentorship and Tailored Funding Support
Fortify Labs, the beginup accelerator powered by TZ APAC, has officially opened applications for its 2026 Web3 cohort, offering selected builders up to $1.3 million in funding alongside deep mentorship and access to a network of over 30,000 ecosystem participants. The program, which begins in March 2026, emphasizes sustainable growth over rapid acceleration, giving founders the time and resources needed to scale responsibly across the Tezos and Etherlink ecosystems.
Unlike traditional three-month sprints, Fortify Labs extends its program over seven months, with small cohorts capped at seven teams. Participants benefit from personalized support in areas such as tokenomics design, go-to-market execution, investor readiness, and compliance—assisting bridge ahead-stage concepts into full-fledged Web3 enterprises.
Investor Takeaway
Beyond Acceleration: Building Sustainable Web3 Companies
The initiative represents a deliberate shift toward long-term incubation rather than rapid acceleration. Each beginup receives dedicated time with TZ APAC’s in-house specialists across marketing, legal, KOL partnerships, and investor relations. The program also includes two mandatory in-person off-sites in Singapore, covered by travel stipends, to strengthen collaboration and community building among participants.
“The level of commitment you get at Fortify Labs is rare—it makes all the difference,” said Mauvis Ledford, CEO of Sogni AI, a participant in the 2025 cohort. “From KOL access to legal and VC introductions, TZ APAC assists founders actually grow. I’d recommend any beginup exploring L2 expansion or deciding on a base chain to build with Fortify Labs.”
Projects from past cohorts highlight the program’s track record:
- Questflow (2024 cohort) — achieved a 156x increase in monthly active users and reached a $50 million valuation.
- Sogni AI (2025 cohort) — scaled from testnet to 90,000 mainnet users and completed a token generation event.
- 5050 — evolved from concept to full product launch in just three months, attracting 600 active users within two weeks.
Focus Chains: Tezos and Etherlink
Projects participating in Fortify Labs build on either or . Tezos, one of the first Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains, is renowned for its energy efficiency, on-chain governance, and long-term upgradability. Etherlink, its EVM-compatible Layer 2, provides a bridge for ETH-based smart contracts and cross-chain liquidity, making it ideal for developers viewking scalability without leaving the ETH ecosystem.
“This hybrid approach gives beginups flexibility and reach,” said Yann Régis-Gianas, Head of Engineering at Nomadic Labs. “Developers can deploy proven EVM code on Etherlink while leveraging Tezos’ governance and performance, unlocking a broader design space for DeFi and gaming applications.”
Investor Takeaway
How to Apply for Fortify Labs 2026
The application window closes January 30, 2026. All submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, with successful applicants notified by mid-February 2026. Selected projects will begin in ahead March and graduate in October 2026.
Applications are open to ahead and growth-stage Web3 projects that demonstrate potential for real-world impact in DeFi, gaming, or cultural innovation. beginups ready to begin integrations or development work before March may be quick-tracked for ahead resource access.
To apply, visit or contact the program team directly.
About Fortify Labs and TZ APAC
Fortify Labs is a Web3 beginup studio managed by TZ APAC, dedicated to supporting ventures on Tezos and Etherlink. It serves as a launchpad for decentralized projects viewking sustainable product-market fit, investor traction, and community scale.
TZ APAC is a Web3 ecosystem builder focused on empowering founders, developers, and institutions across Asia. Supported by the Tezos Foundation, TZ APAC operates with teams throughout the region and is headquartered in Singapore.
