Base Ecosystem Opens Startup Track
The Base Ecosystem's Batches 003 Startup Track is now accepting applications. The program offers onchain builders up to $75K in funding, a chance to pitch in San Francisco, and access to the ecosystem, targeting pre-seed companies that have raised less than $250K.
Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 network incubated by the crypto exchange Coinbase, is designed to bring Coinbase's over 100 million users into the world of decentralized applications. Built on Optimism's OP Stack, it offers developers lower transaction fees and faster speeds compared to Ethereum's mainnet, aiming to make onchain experiences more accessible. The ecosystem has seen rapid growth, with its Total Value Locked (TVL) reaching over $5 billion, the highest among all Layer 2 networks as of late 2025. This growth has been fueled by a diverse range of applications in decentralized finance (DeFi), social media, and gaming, attracting significant developer and user activity. The "Batches" program is a recurring initiative to foster this developer ecosystem, with the current "003" being the third iteration. It's structured into distinct tracks to support builders at different stages, including a "Startup Track" for early-stage companies and a separate "Student Track" for university-level innovators. For the Startup Track, the program specifically targets pre-seed teams that are either pre-product or have raised less than $250,000 in funding. The top 15 selected teams receive an initial $10,000 grant and participate in an 8-week virtual program. The program culminates in a Demo Day in San Francisco, offering a platform to pitch to venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators. Beyond the initial grant, a minimum of three teams will be selected for a $50,000 investment from the Base Ecosystem Fund, which is managed by Coinbase Ventures. The Base Ecosystem Fund has previously invested in a range of onchain projects, including those in DeFi, infrastructure, and SocialFi. This indicates a broad interest in applications that can drive the next wave of user adoption on the Base network.
