a16z accelerator CSX is launched again with the "money-spreading mode", and the next batch of hot products are here?

Author:Zhouzhou , BlockBeats

Recently, a16z's Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX) has been flooding the screen frequently. Many financing projects can see its lead or participate in many financing projects. On March 31, the official also tweeted that the fourth phase of CSX (CSX 04) in the spring of 2025 (CSX 04) was officially launched in San Francisco. Even in the "garbage time" of netizens' mocking, CSX is still continuously incubating new projects, so what is the origin of this accelerator? What surprises will it bring to OGs in the currency circle?

Web3 version of "Star Maker Factory"

CSX is an acceleration program created by a16z crypto for early-stage blockchain and crypto startups, each period lasts from 8 to 10 weeks. Participants can not only obtain at least $500,000 in direct investment (the standard terms are 7% equity), but also quickly improve product development and market competitiveness through intensive courses, one-on-one tutoring and industry resource expansion.

Since its inception, CSX has successfully hosted multiple events, with footprints throughout San Francisco, London and New York. Cohort London selected 25 startups in spring 2024, including 21 in fall, while Cohort San Francisco (CSX 04) announced 9 finalists in spring 2025. At the end of each issue, CSX will hold "Demo Day", allowing entrepreneurs to show their achievements to top investors and industry leaders, and accelerate other funds to quickly enter the project.

Through financial support, industry resources and big-name mentors, CSX has helped batches of startup projects to land from concepts and has become one of the most influential accelerators in the Web3 startup circle.

Highlights of investment and representative projects

CSX 04 announced on March 31, 2025 that it will launch its fourth Crypto Startup Accelerator program cohort in early April, and over the next two months, the founders of these companies will receive first-hand guidance and support from a16z crypto’s investment and operations team, which also invests at least $500,000 in each accepted company.

CSX will help early start-ups find technology development to accelerate products and quickly achieve accurate docking with market demand. The companies participating in CSX 04 this time are Cambrian Network, Ambient, Inco, KYD Labs, Launcher Capital, Mahojin, ORO AI, Toji and ZAR.

Here are a few outstanding project cases in the Crypto Startup Accelerator program:

AminoChain (CSX Spring 2024)

AminoChain was co-founded by biotechnology expert Elena Petrova and blockchain engineer Mark Smith, hoping to connect research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies through blockchain technology to create a transparent biosample trading platform.

The project made its mark in the London cohort in spring 2024, and after receiving a $500,000 investment from a16z, it attracted $3 million in follow-up financing on Demo Day. “CSX’s mentors helped us redefine our market strategy and move us from the lab to the global,” Petrova said.

Cork Protocol (CSX Fall 2024)

Founded by former Goldman Sachs analyst Liam Chen, Cork Protocol aims to expand the on-chain credit market through blockchain technology to help market participants price and hedge risks.

In the fall of 2024 New York cohort, Cork not only received an initial investment from CSX, but also announced a multi-million-dollar round of financing with institutions such as Orange DAO and IDEO VC during the acceleration period. Chen admitted: "CSX's 'group therapy' guidance allowed us to quickly identify the product positioning."

Cambrian Network (CSX 04, 2025)

One of the star projects of cohort in spring 2025, Cambrian Network, led by Chinese-born engineer Zhang Wei, the team focuses on combining AI with blockchain to provide decentralized financial intelligence solutions. It is reported that the project has been valued at US$59 million during the CSX period.

"CSX's resources allow us to communicate with top crypto founders and accelerate the implementation of technology," said Zhang Wei, the project leader.

In addition, CSX's portfolio also includes PIN AI focused on AI, Blocksense in the infrastructure field, and consumer applications such as Sekai (interactive narrative platform). The diversity of these projects demonstrates CSX's support for Web3 full-stack innovation.

CSX's team is the hero behind a16z

CSX's success is inseparable from the strong team behind the a16z encryption department, and all of this is run by Jason Rosenthal himself.

As an operating partner of a16z, Rosenthal has rich entrepreneurial experience and has served as the CEO of several technology companies. The team led by him is not simple. Investment partner Elizabeth Harkavy, technologist Ali Yahya and policy consultant Tomicah Tillemann each provided crucial support to the project in their respective fields. The tacit cooperation between the three constitutes the core pillar of CSX's success.

Harkavy once said: "What is unique about CSX is that we not only provide funds, but also help founders diagnose problems and find solutions like "entrepreneurial doctors." In addition, CSX often invites industry celebrities to share their experiences, such as Coinbase founder Brian Armstrong and Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko, which also shows that CSX can actually learn from the experience of absorbing these high-quality projects and bring better resources to accelerate projects.

CSX is an accelerator and catalyst that accelerates project growth by connecting founders with networks of capital, experts and industries. For example, in 2024, AminoChain, cohort, launched a beta version of the product less than half a year after CSX ended, while Cork Protocol completed critical testnet deployments during the acceleration.

The future is promising and heading to a new high

For the entire crypto ecosystem, the significance of CSX lies in promoting technology popularization and diversified innovation. Chris Dixon once said, “The potential of encryption is underestimated, and CSX is our tool to realize that potential.” While other venture capitalists are on the wait-and-see sidelines of the crypto space, a16z’s continued investment has attracted more talent and creativity to the Web3.

From San Francisco to London and to New York, a16z CSX has become the "rocket fuel" for crypto entrepreneurs with its unique model and strong support system.

Whether it is the biotech revolution led by AminoChain or the AI ​​computing breakthrough brought by Cambrian Network, these innovative projects have profound impacts from CSX. Led by Chris Dixon and Jason Rosenthal, CSX is injecting a steady stream of momentum into the future of Web3, and let's look forward to the development of the projects they support.