As the bull market gains momentum, attention is drawn to the remarkable surge of meme coins and ETF inflows. However, a cohort of founders, many of whom persevered through the bear market, are gearing up for the global launch of their DePINs (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). DePIN, positioned as a technological paradigm, encompasses a broad spectrum, spanning any web-3 application that integrates a physical component, ranging from edge-AI to virtual power plants.
The DePIN narrative has steadily garnered traction within web-3 circles, emerging as a pivotal link between the crypto industry and the global populace of non-crypto natives reliant on dependable physical infrastructure.
Reflecting the exponential growth akin to other viral web-3 applications such as DeFi and NFTs, the number of DePIN projects has surged from fewer than a hundred in late 2022 to over 1,000 presently.
However, DePIN development poses significant challenges. Many projects embark on their journey by designing and executing the manufacturing and distribution of hardware, a process that can span several years, in addition to constructing an intricate tech stack encompassing firmware, middleware, and software.
Illustrating the industry’s ascent and its hurdles, IoTeX, with backing from FutureMoneyGroup and ForesightX, launched DePIN Surf, the first accelerator exclusively dedicated to supporting DePIN founders.
Cohort 1, officially unveiled at the R3al World event during ETHDenver, comprises seven startups gearing up for TGE and global launch.
Throughout the two-month program, founders receive a $50k investment and comprehensive support, including marketing, technical assistance, and go-to-market strategies, from the IoTeX core team and a select group of mentors. The program encompasses workshops on raising series-A funding, DePIN tokenomics, fundamentals of community management, as well as participation in panels and main-stage presentations at global web-3 events.
Here’s a summary of the projects presenting at the demo day on April 30th:
Inferix:
- What it does: Decentralized 3D rendering platform.
- Stage: Series-A.
- The Pitch: Inferix offers a decentralized GPU computing platform for visual computing & AI Inference, with a significant presence in South East Asia, India, and other developing markets. Targeting average designers, AI Artists, and Game Studios, Inferix supports major rendering engines & Generative AIs, including Blender Cycles, Vray, D5, and others.
Wayru:
- What it does: Decentralized telecom.
- Stage: Series-A.
- The Pitch: Wayru partners with the UN to address the global connectivity crisis, starting in Latin America, where 400M people lack connectivity. Utilizing blockchain and the $WAYRU token, Wayru incentivizes hotspot deployment, enabling anyone to become a Hotspot Operator. WayruOS seamlessly transforms off-the-shelf WiFi devices into Wayru hotspots, with notable impact through UN pilot programs.
PowerPod:
- What it does: Decentralized EV Charging Network.
- Stage: Series-A.
- The Pitch: PowerPod aims to establish a reliable and accessible charging network for electric vehicles globally, leveraging a locally distributed model and proprietary, internet-connected, Tesla-compatible charging devices.
Network 3:
- What it does: Dedicated AI layer-2.
- Stage: Series-A.
- The Pitch: Network3 provides services to AI developers worldwide, facilitating scalable training and validation of models through AI model optimization, federated learning, edge computing, and confidential computing.
StarPower:
- What it does: Distributed energy platform.
- Stage: Series-A.
- The Pitch: Starpower is an AI and Web3 powered Global Energy Network, connecting devices in energy generation, storage, and consumption scenarios, aimed at constructing the largest distributed energy network platform for virtual power plants and carbon credit.
ATOR:
- What it does: Privacy protocol.
- Stage: Open market.
- The Pitch: ATOR establishes a secure, private layer for the internet, providing a decentralized privacy solution through its DePIN routing network and signature hardware and software SDK.
DePHY:
- What it does: DePIN middleware Infrastructure.
- Stage: Series-A.
- The Pitch: DePHY pioneers a decentralized off-chain data messaging network to empower DePIN projects, facilitating swift and cost-effective deployment. Leveraging technologies like Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) and Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Oracles, DePHY ensures secure, verifiable data transfer from hardware to blockchain.
This post is commissioned by DePIN.
