Fortify Labs opens 2026 Web3 cohort with up to $1.3M funding and long-term mentorship

Fortify Labs, the Web3 startup studio run by ecosystem builder TZ APAC, has opened applications for its 2026 cohort, offering tailored mentorship, extensive networking, and funding support of up to $1.3 million for early and growth-stage blockchain projects.

Unlike traditional accelerators that rush teams through short, uniform cycles, Fortify Labs takes a more deliberate approach, providing long-term, personalized support.

The program connects founders with specialists, investors, exchanges, and an engaged community of over 30,000 potential users to create durable, scalable Web3 businesses.

Mentorship model built on depth

The program runs for seven months, from early March through October 2026, and keeps things intentionally small, just seven startups per cohort.

That way, mentors can give highly tailored guidance instead of following a rigid playbook.

Throughout the program, teams get practical, hands-on help with everything from refining their product and designing tokenomics to building a community and preparing for investor conversations.

Past successes underscore Fortify Labs’ impact. Questflow, a collaborative AI automation platform from the 2024 cohort, grew its monthly active users 156 times and achieved a $50 million valuation following its latest funding round.

Sogni AI, part of the 2025 cohort, scaled from testnet to 90,000 mainnet users while completing a successful token generation event. Prediction market 5050 went from concept to full launch within three months, securing 600 users just two weeks after debuting.

“Working with TZ APAC, the team behind Fortify Labs, has been an absolute privilege since day one,” said Mauvis Ledford, CEO of Sogni AI.

Building on Tezos and Etherlink

Participants will build on either Tezos or Etherlink, expanding the program’s interoperability advantage.

Tezos, operating as a proof-of-stake blockchain since 2018, has processed hundreds of millions of transactions while maintaining energy efficiency and on-chain governance.

Etherlink acts as an EVM-compatible layer that supports the deployment of Ethereum codebases and the migration of assets across networks.

By combining these infrastructures, Fortify Labs allows builders to leverage both Ethereum’s vast developer ecosystem and Tezos’ energy-efficient technology.

This hybrid model is designed to lower technical barriers, accelerate integration, and expand each project’s reach across Web3 ecosystems.

The 2026 program also includes two in-person off-sites in Singapore, with travel stipends provided to participants. Projects that complete their readiness milestones early may gain access to mentorship and tools before the official March launch.

Applications are open until January 30, 2026, with rolling reviews and final selections announced by mid-February.

Accepted applicants will join an expanding network of founders, investors, and engineers united by TZ APAC’s mission to advance Asia’s Web3 landscape.

Empowering the next wave of Web3 founders

Fortify Labs is a key piece of TZ APAC’s long-term vision to grow DeFi, gaming, and culture-driven Web3 ecosystems across Asia.

TZ APAC, which is based in Singapore and backed by the Tezos Foundation, has positioned itself as a regional leader in driving decentralized innovation through community building, partnerships with institutions, and targeted incubation.

Past cohorts have already shown what that looks like in practice; startups have gone from early ideas to real-world products, securing funding, growing their user bases, and scaling without losing sight of execution.

Its emphasis on “founder-first incubation” seeks to extend beyond short-term acceleration, guiding sustainable growth through strategic partnerships and hands-on execution.

As the Web3 sector transitions into a more stable phase beyond speculation, Fortify Labs’ approach reflects a broader industry pivot toward longevity, user adoption, and cross-chain functionality.

By aligning technical mentorship with real-world business needs, the program aims to identify startups ready to define the next stage of decentralized innovation.

Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open and will remain so until the end of January. Successful teams will be notified in mid-February and begin their residencies in Singapore in March.