# Hello again from Horizon! In this special edition of our newsletter, we will focus on our upcoming HZN pilot program. We will review what it is, when it begins, and who’s in it. In the coming weeks, you will hear us speak a lot about the amazing projects we’ve accepted into the program, and we are thrilled to be working closely with them to build a better future for Web3 together. ## Overview Horizon Founders are building the future of the internet - the Open Web - in which people have control of their data, assets, identities and power of governance. We harness the power of blockchain to solve urgent problems in delightful ways and showcase the true value of Web3 through our products and events. We are a community of visionaries and allies who believe we can make the world a better place. [HZN](https://hzn.super.site/) is a Founder Fellowship designed for early-stage web3 Founders - real, grounded support from NEAR Horizon, **all equity-free. ** This will be a **12-week **fellowship that includes: * **Cohort-Based Learning**: Collaborate and grow with other founders on the same journey. We’re breaking down key concepts from token design to financial modeling to go-to-market strategy. * **Fundraising Track:** Prepare to pitch with specialized guidance on all aspects of fundraising, building your narrative, and structuring your cap table to get you investment-ready. * **DISCOVERY Track**: Accelerate your product's success with hands-on support to understand your customers better and shape your product. * **Networking Opportunities**: Connect and engage both online and offline with those who can take your vision to new heights, including a dedicated founder retreat at NEARcon in Lisbon, Portugal. ## Schedule **[HZN1](https://hzn.super.site/)** kicks off on **September 18th** and ends on **December 8, 2023** There are three learning tracks specifically designed to meet the differentiated needs of our cohort teams. By the end of the program, each team will reach a critical milestone in the journey to product market fit. Sessions are designed to be interactive and will include guest speakers and mentors who are experts in their respective fields and who will help teams navigate common pitfalls by arming them with proven tactics and mindsets to succeed. ## Teams 28 cohort teams have been selected for our inaugural cohort , and we are thrilled to be working with them as they gear up to launch their projects, design growth plans, refine business models, develop pitches, and collaborate with each other. _Some projects are still in development and may not have links yet_ ### Infrastructure * [Kapybara AI]([https://kapybara.ai](https://kapybara.ai)) * Chatbots and chat insights for students, business, and fandoms * X(TW): [@kapybaraai]([https://twitter.com/kapybaraai](https://twitter.com/kapybaraai)) --- * [Shard Dog]([https://my.shard.dog/](https://my.shard.dog/)) * Simple platform for building and connecting your audience * X(TW): [@sharddog]([https://twitter.com/sharddog](https://twitter.com/sharddog)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=sharddog.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=sharddog.near)) --- * [Taxi stake]([https://taxistake.com](https://taxistake.com)) * Professional cryptocurrency validator focusing on IBC Cosmos tendermint chains * X(TW): [@TaxiStake]([https://twitter.com/TaxiStake](https://twitter.com/TaxiStake)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=taxistake.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=taxistake.near)) --- * [Soulment](https://soulmynt.com/) * Digital credential creation and verification platform * X(TW): [@soulmynt](https://twitter.com/soulmynt) --- * [LBO Digital](lbodigital.com) _not live_ * Reimagining the private markets ecosystem through the DeFi and blockchain * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=lbodigital.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=lbodigital.near)) --- ### E-Commerce * [droplinked]([https://droplinked.com](https://droplinked.com)) * Cracking the code on decentralized commerce * X(TW): [@droplinked]([https://twitter.com/droplinked](https://twitter.com/droplinked)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=2e77cb43eec84493cf57d93005f9b834ac93d787e41667f8c37222024e412656](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=2e77cb43eec84493cf57d93005f9b834ac93d787e41667f8c37222024e412656)) --- * [Solaire]([https://mysolaire.xyz](https://mysolaire.xyz)) * Infrastructure solutions for the retail industry * X(TW): [@solaire_web3]([https://twitter.com/solaire_web3](https://twitter.com/solaire_web3)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=solaire.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=solaire.near)) --- * [Gravvity]([https://www.gravvity.ai/](https://www.gravvity.ai/)) * Create simple, no-code, e-commerce integrations in minutes * X(TW): [@yourgravvity]( [https://twitter.com/yourgravvity](https://twitter.com/yourgravvity)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=gravvity.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=gravvity.near)) --- * [Hashku]([https://www.hashku.com/](https://www.hashku.com/)) * Enabling next generation brand engagement and commerce activations * X(TW): [@Hashku_NFT]([https://twitter.com/Hashku_NFT](https://twitter.com/Hashku_NFT)) --- * [TENAMINT]([https://www.Tenamint.com](https://www.Tenamint.com)) * Buy and sell fractions of real trading cards as digital collectibles * X(TW): [@TENAMINTCARDS](https://twitter.com/TENAMINTCARDS) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=bstt.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=bstt.near)) --- * [Autify Network]([https://autifynetwork.com/](https://autifynetwork.com/)) * Cross-border payment / management platform powered by blockchain and AI * X(TW): [@autifynetwork]([https://twitter.com/autifynetwork](https://twitter.com/autifynetwork)) --- ### Gaming * [Rouges Studio]([https://rogues.studio/](https://rogues.studio/)) * Accelerating the adoption of Web3 through gaming and easy onboarding * X(TW): [@rogues_studio]([https://twitter.com/rogues_studio](https://twitter.com/rogues_studio)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=rogues.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=rogues.near)) --- * [Ludero]([https://ludero.com](https://ludero.com)) * Helping you cultivate an informed and engaged community through micro gaming * X(TW): [@luder0]([https://twitter.com/luder0](https://twitter.com/luder0)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=ludero.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=ludero.near)) --- * [Black Snow]([https://blacksnow.tv/](https://blacksnow.tv/)) * Transforming physical spaces into immersive, AR digital environments * X(TW): [@BlackSnowAR]([https://twitter.com/BlackSnowAR](https://twitter.com/BlackSnowAR)) --- ### Web3 MarTech & Community Tooling * [Contented ]([https://www.contentedmedia.com](https://www.contentedmedia.com)) * Connecting Creators, Brands, and Community through AI-powered discovery --- * [vSelf]([https://vself.app/](https://vself.app/)) * Making next-generation community engagement accessible * X(TW): [@vself_meta]([https://twitter.com/vself_meta](https://twitter.com/vself_meta)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=vself.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=vself.near)) --- * [QSTN]([https://qstn.us](https://qstn.us)) * Redefining data, DeFi and NFT on NEAR Protocol * X(TW): [@qstnus]([https://twitter.com/qstnus](https://twitter.com/qstnus)) * [BOS Profile](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=qstn.near) --- * [Prism]([https://www.useprism.io/](https://www.useprism.io/)) * Smart talent marketplace streamlining hiring, and talent acquisition * X(TW): [@useprism]([https://twitter.com/useprism](https://twitter.com/useprism)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=useprism.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=useprism.near)) --- * [Chain rewardz]([https://Chainrewardz.com](https://Chainrewardz.com)) * Super App, Open Banking, Crypto On/Off Ramp * X(TW): [@supertappouk]([https://twitter.com/supertappouk](https://twitter.com/supertappouk)) --- ### Analytics * [Assisterr]([https://www.assisterr.xyz](https://www.assisterr.xyz/xyz)) * Multichannel developer support solution * X(TW): [@assisterr]([https://twitter.com/assisterr](https://twitter.com/assisterr)) --- * [Metame]([https://metame.com/](https://metame.com/)) * A.I trained to help you extract value from your data --- ### Web3 Social * [Ample]([https://ample.stream](https://ample.stream)) * Launch, Distribute & Stream your content on your terms * X(TW): [@AMPLE_Stream]([https://twitter.com/AMPLE_Stream](https://twitter.com/AMPLE_Stream)) * [BOS Profile](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=ampleplatform.near) --- * [Activelink]([https://activelink.io/](https://activelink.io/)) * Social Commerce Platform for Original Content Creators * X(TW): [@GetActiveLink]([https://twitter.com/GetActiveLink](https://twitter.com/GetActiveLink)) --- * [ThriveIN]([https://thrivein.app/](https://thrivein.app/)) * Web3 social marketplace for creatives * X(TW): [@ThriveIN_IO]([https://twitter.com/ThriveIN_IO](https://twitter.com/ThriveIN_IO)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=thrivein.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=thrivein.near)) --- * [bithappier]([https://http://bithappier.com](https://http://bithappier.com)) * Assisting clients in achieving greater happiness using visual art as medicine * X(TW): [@bit_happier]([https://twitter.com/bit_happier](https://twitter.com/bit_happier)) * [BOS Profile]([https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=bithappier.near](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=bithappier.near)) --- * [DAOrecords]([https://www.daorecords.org](https://www.daorecords.org)) * Reinventing the Record Label through the use of Web3 technology * X(TW): [DAOrecords_]([https://twitter.com/DAOrecords_](https://twitter.com/DAOrecords_)) * [BOS Profile](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=daorecords.near) --- ### Education and Public Goods * [Ed3 DAO]([https://www.ed3dao.com/](https://www.ed3dao.com/)) * For educators, by educators catalyzing innovation in edu through Web3 * X(TW): [@ed3dao]([https://twitter.com/ed3dao](https://twitter.com/ed3dao)) --- * [Potlock](https://www.potlock.io/) * Public goods funding on NEAR Protocol * X(TW): [potlock_](https://twitter.com/potlock_) * [BOS Profile](https://near.org/near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=potlock.near) ## Don’t Forget! Our [Founder Friday's](https://lu.ma/u/usr-5oZHY9dEDbDcaHY) happen every Friday, so be sure to [RSVP](https://lu.ma/u/usr-5oZHY9dEDbDcaHY) to attend. Each week offers something a bit different, from demo days to AMA’s featuring verified Horizon contributors, general office hours, and more! Follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/nearhorizon) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nearhorizon/) for news, updates, announcements, discussions, trivia, and general Web3 buzz! Keep Building out there! **The NEAR Horizon Team** **_Disclosure: The information provided by Horizon is for informational purposes only and Horizon Credit does not constitute a financial instrument, an offer to buy or sell securities, or any other form of investment, nor does it create any form of investment contract or relationship. Horizon does not provide investment advice or recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of crypto assets, securities, financial products, or any other investment vehicle. Any information or materials provided by Horizon are for general educational and informational purposes only. Furthermore, any service providers mentioned are not intended as a recommendation. Any decision to invest or engage in any product is solely at your discretion. _**