Stone & Chalk unveils Web3 innovation centre

Innovation hub Stone & Chalk Group has partnered with the Australian DeFi Association to launch a Web3 innovation centre.

The innovation centre will open next year to help support Web3 founders and their businesses navigate shifting market and economic conditions.

The Australia-first partnership between Stone & Chalk Group and the Australian DeFi Association will according to both companies play an integral role in helping realise the untapped potential of the emerging Web3 ecosystem, bringing public and private sectors together to unlock the industry’s capabilities.

The Web3 innovation centres will be located at each of Stone & Chalk Group’s Hubs, acting as a place of convergence for local founders looking to propel the industry forward by accessing the latest thinking, support and guidance from industry experts, mentors, corporate partners and collaborators. 

This launch comes following the Tech Council of Australia’s latest report on digital assets, which estimates that there will be $15-20 billion in investments and up to one thousand startups in the digital asset space by 2030.

The research reinforces the untapped potential of blockchain technologies and digital assets in all aspects of society including social finance, environmental impact and the wider creator economy.

Michael Bromley, CEO at Stone & Chalk group said, “We believe in the long-term positive impact of blockchain technologies, and as the largest innovation community in Australia, have a responsibility to support founders exploring this space and building Web3 companies of the future.

“We are committed to exploring the development of a stable, successful and competitive Australian blockchain and crypto market and believe our partnership with the Australian DeFi Association will play an integral role in facilitating the future of this industry.”

Australian DeFi Association's members will have the opportunity to share space with the wider Stone & Chalk Group founder community including companies operating in various areas of emerging technology such as space, AI, quantum and climate change.

The new home for Web3 startups will provide a vast array of services, acting as a central point for investors, media, corporates and government to connect with Web3 founders driving the future of digital technologies. Additional services for Web3 startups include pitch nights, workshops, networking sessions and Web3 masterclasses. 

Mark Monfort, co-founder at the Australian DeFi Association said, “Our expansive network of community members responded extremely strongly to the prospect of dedicated Web3 centres across Australia, so it’s incredibly exciting to see this ecosystem come to fruition with the Stone & Chalk Group.

“The innovation centre will present a chance for leading startups and founders to add impactful decentralised apps to rich ecosystems like Ethereum, moving us beyond simply running meetups and attending conferences.”