\n
<\/p>\n
In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Nelson Lopez, the newly appointed CEO of XFounders, shares his motivations for joining the crypto accelerator, a unique program blending traditional startup mentorship with a reality show format.<\/strong><\/p>\n Co-founded by Fazil Suleymanov and Fedor Erashev, XFounders offers immersive support to Web3 founders. Lopez\u2019s extensive background in mentoring and business scaling made him an ideal fit for leading the accelerator\u2019s next phase.<\/p>\n What motivated you to take on the role of CEO at XFounders, and were there any specific factors or opportunities that ultimately convinced you to join the team in this capacity?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be honest, Fedor and Fazil are two of the smartest, most committed minds in Web3 acceleration, and that\u2019s saying a lot in an industry full of bold thinkers.\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve known them for over two years, and during that time, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how they built XFounders from the ground up\u2014not just as an accelerator but as a movement to bring real value back to bootcamps. They\u2019ve proven time and again that their vision is as ambitious as it is achievable.<\/p>\n For me, joining as CEO wasn\u2019t just about taking on a leadership role; it was about being part of something transformative. The opportunity to scale XFounders and drive meaningful change in the Web3 space was impossible to pass up.<\/p>\n Moreover, it represents the convergence of everything I\u2019ve done so far\u2014from mentoring founders and startups, coaching for leadership, and building teams, to advising in the VC and accelerator space and scaling overseas operations for a major centralized exchange. It all just came together so perfectly\u2014combining shared trust, experience, and vision\u2014that only together did a way forward make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n How has your mentorship experience in Season 2 influenced your vision and approach for leading XFounders as it enters its next phase?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMentorship in Season 2 gave me an insider\u2019s perspective on what founders really need\u2014not just the buzzwords or the theory, but raw, actionable support to navigate chaos and turn ideas into reality. That\u2019s what you look for in founders\u2014the drive to take abstract ideas and turn them into something tangible.\u00a0<\/p>\n What struck me most was the combination of resilience and uncertainty these founders brought to the table. It reinforced a simple but powerful truth: an accelerator isn\u2019t about spoon-feeding; it\u2019s about enabling.\u00a0<\/p>\n As CEO, my goal is to double down on this philosophy, ensuring XFounders remains a place where founders are challenged, pushed, and ultimately transformed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As CEO, how do you plan to measure the success of XFounders in the next few seasons? Are there any specific KPIs or benchmarks you will focus on?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSuccess has to be measured in outcomes, not optics. For XFounders, the KPIs are clear. Our target is to help 70% of each cohort secure funding within six months of graduation.\u00a0<\/p>\n We aim to grow our portfolio to $500M in value within five years. We also measure community engagement, from investor connections to active alumni contributions.<\/p>\n But beyond the numbers, success is about the stories we create\u2014the founder who turns a seed idea into a disruptive force, or the startup that attracts not just funding, but a loyal community around a real solution to global challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As the new CEO, what key changes or initiatives do you plan to implement in upcoming seasons to differentiate XFounders from other accelerators and further support the growth of Web3 startups?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFirstly, I\u2019d like to say that I\u2019ve personally witnessed bootcamp models evolve into formats that just aren\u2019t serving founders anymore\u2014short, fully online programs with unclear investor engagement. They know who they are. I believe accelerators can no longer be one-size-fits-all. Web3 startups face unique challenges, whether it\u2019s navigating tokenomics, building decentralized communities, or scaling in regulatory minefields.<\/p>\n One of my key initiatives is to tailor our programs to these nuances. That means more customized bootcamps, deeper integration with industry players like the Solana Foundation and AWS, and creating tangible pathways for founders not just to survive but thrive in volatile markets.\u00a0<\/p>\n We\u2019ll also be expanding our ambassador program to supercharge our reach and connect founders with hyper-targeted resources globally. Additionally, we\u2019ll continue pairing some of our bootcamps with our reality docuseries, aiming to project our startups, partners, and brand to millions of viewers worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In your view, what role does mentorship play in the success of startups, and how will XFounders continue to attract top mentors who can provide valuable guidance?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cHaving done it for some time, I truly believe mentorship is the lifeline of any startup. The best mentors don\u2019t just share knowledge\u2014they challenge assumptions, help founders see around corners, and inspire them to think bigger. It\u2019s as much about inspiring action as it is about sharing knowledge.<\/p>\n At XFounders, we\u2019re redefining mentorship in Web3. It\u2019s not just about big names or resumes; it\u2019s about mentors who understand decentralized models, tokenomics, and the unique challenges of scaling in this ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n To attract these top-tier mentors, we offer more than just a seat at the table\u2014we give them a stake in the future of Web3 by connecting them with transformative ideas and startups they can help shape. We\u2019ve already seen success in this, with multiple mentors now working with founders from our cohorts as a result of the connections we enabled in our bootcamps.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n With the success of the reality show format introduced in Season 2, what new formats or strategies do you plan to introduce in Season 3 to elevate XFounders\u2019 public visibility and attract more startups?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSeason 2 was proof that the Web3 narrative doesn\u2019t have to be confined to niche circles\u2014it can captivate a global audience. In Season 3, we\u2019re going even bigger.<\/p>\n We\u2019re planning to introduce a founders\u2019 challenge series that will showcase real-time problem-solving and the resilience it takes to build in Web3. Think of it as Shark Tank meets the Web3 ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n We\u2019ll also amplify startup storytelling through short-form, bite-sized content that connects with a broader audience beyond crypto enthusiasts, drawing more talent into the space.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for XFounders, and how do you plan to adapt its model to ensure its relevance and growth as the Web3 startup ecosystem evolves?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOur long-term vision for XFounders is rooted in growth that drives real impact for startups, investors, and the entire Web3 ecosystem. We\u2019re scaling not just in size but in reach and influence. From running four bootcamps a year to expanding globally, our goal is to make XFounders accessible to the brightest founders, wherever they are.<\/p>\n We\u2019re focused on maximizing value for startups through more tailored programs that address the unique challenges of Web3. At the same time, we\u2019re creating pathways for startups to return value to investors by building companies that are not only innovative but also sustainable and profitable.<\/p>\n For our own investors, we\u2019re committed to delivering returns through strategic portfolio management and syndicates, ensuring they are part of the success stories we help create. Ultimately, our growth is about expanding our ecosystem, empowering startups to achieve outsized success, and delivering measurable, lasting impact for everyone involved.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As the official media sponsor of XFounders, BeInCrypto invites you to witness the journey of the next generation of Web3 founders in the XFounders Startup Warriors Show, premiering this fall. This unique program will showcase the participants\u2019 real challenges, breakthroughs, and stories of innovation.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss a moment of the action\u2014watch the trailer now for an exclusive preview of what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n For more updates and details, visit the official website, and click the links below to explore additional insights from XFounders\u2019 participants and mentors.<\/p>\n How XFounders is Building Web3\u2019s Future<\/strong> <\/p>\n Inside the Minds of XFounders Mentors<\/strong> <\/p>\n XFounders Participants on the Challenges and Triumphs of Web3 Entrepreneurship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Get a Sneak Peek at the XFounders Startup Warriors Show!<\/strong><\/h2>\n