How does Fortify Labs by TZ APAC differentiate itself from other programs?

Fortify Labs is a startup studio by TZ APAC, a Web3 ecosystem builder and the leading Asia-based entity supporting the Tezos ecosystem. Founders experience a bespoke program that is tailored to the individual needs of each startup to ensure that the correct support is provided to achieve commercial success together. 

Fortify Labs provides hands-on support in areas that you specifically need. Our marketing team, for instance, can provide you with access to product testers and early users and help you grow your Share of Voice. You can also benefit from connections to potential partners and decision makers with the network of our Partnerships team. In a nutshell, TZ APAC’s various teams will focus on helping startups rapidly develop a great MVP and bring it to market successfully. 

Startups who join the program can also tap on our expertise in building and scaling different web3 startups. Our panel of industry leaders, proven in both Web2 and Web3 businesses, will work with you on building foundationally solid businesses, pitching to investors and clients, and Go-To-Market strategies.

Fortify Labs is also run by a team who deeply understands Asia, especially the nuances and opportunities that founders must take note of in this region. We’ve already completed four startup cohorts (with the fifth on the verge of completion) that have empowered more than 30 startups, many of whom have shipped game-changing products, partnered with industry leaders and secured funding with leading investors (see examples in the previous section). We have the nous, connections and resources to help you grow and succeed in Asia.

2.

Why should I build on Tezos and/or Etherlink?

By design, Tezos embraces long-term upgradability, open participation, collaboration, and smart contract safety. The Tezos blockchain is trusted by financial institutions such as Societe Generale, as it provides a high level of security, allowing it to host even the most mission-critical financial applications thanks to its thoughtful and meticulous foundational design. With functional programming at its core, Tezos promotes overall code correctness, type-safety, and formal verification of smart contracts.

Tezos is also designed to evolve through community-led on-chain governance. Developers control the future of the blockchain by proposing and voting on changes to any aspect of the protocol, including the consensus mechanism. This enables seamless upgrades and prevents the need for hard forks.

Apart from the L1, you can also build on Etherlink, a fully decentralized, EVM-compatible L2 solution on Tezos. Designed to empower developers and businesses, it opens up a world of secure and scalable applications. Etherlink runs all Solidity/Vyper smart contracts just like any other EVM chain. All your developer tooling (including Hardhat, Foundry, and Viem) should work out-of-the-box with Etherlink. This interoperability allows developers to build on Tezos using the most widely-used coding languages and enables different virtual machines like EVM or Michelson to work together. Etherlink also partners LayerZero which enables bridging between different networks. With all this, builders can benefit from the access to a large database that the interoperability enables, while benefiting from the security and scalability of the L1.

Building on Tezos or Etherlink gives you access to a global ecosystem that empowers founders and builders. Spread across Asia, the TZ APAC team provides full-suite support for founders who join programs such as Fortify Labs by TZ APAC.

3.

Does Fortify Labs by TZ APAC provide grants/investments? 

Yes, Fortify Labs by TZ APAC offers multiple forms of funding support. Teams accepted into the program can access the following:

Grant Funding
A total of $10,000 USD, with $5,000 disbursed upfront and $5,000 upon completion of mainnet integration.

User Acquisition Fund
Up to $10,000 USD to support growth initiatives such as incentive programs, marketing campaigns, and user subsidies.

Direct Investment
Promising teams may receive investments of up to USD $1 million, based on evaluation of on-chain traction, roadmap, and strategic alignment with the chain.

Liquidity Seed
For teams planning to launch a token, we may provide up to $250,000 USD in liquidity support for their token pool.

The goal of the program is to help startups make significant progress and achieve measurable traction, enabling them to secure further funding. We also facilitate access to additional ecosystem funding opportunities, such as the Tezos Foundation Ecosystem Funding Programs, for teams that demonstrate strong growth and success during the program.

4.

What are the expectations for participants?

Fortify Labs by TZ APAC is designed for founders who demonstrate a strong commitment to developing in the Tezos or Etherlink ecosystems. While we welcome multichain projects, priority is given to teams building core smart contracts and primary economic logic on Etherlink. We highly encourage projects that are chain-abstracted, enabling cross-chain deposits while ensuring that fundamental value accumulation remains native to Etherlink.

Participants are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Achieve deployment on the Etherlink mainnet within the first three months of the program.
- Submit regular monthly reports detailing project traction and key performance metrics.
- Participate in bi-weekly strategic review sessions with our program team.
- Ensure representation by at least one key decision-maker at all mandatory in-person offsite events held in Singapore (a travel stipend is provided).

5.

Who are the mentors or advisors participating in Fortify Labs by TZ APAC?

SFounders will work closely with Edmund Ng via fortnightly strategy sessions, to scale their projects into the next phase of growth. Edmund is a web3 native since 2016, and has advised various leading projects at various stages in their business life cycle. In addition, he has over a decade of experience in venture capital, private equity and investment banking. He has a proven track record of backing founders from the earliest stages, helping them navigate funding rounds, sharpen their strategy, and scale into high-growth businesses. Over the years, he has successfully invested in and advised companies that went on to achieve meaningful traction and become category-defining businesses.

More industry leaders will be confirmed as advisors soon.

6.

What is the duration of the program?

The Build phase of the program will take place across 3 months from March to June 2026 where we will work with you to develop your MVP. The Growth phase of the program will happen across another 3 months from July to October 2026 where we fortify your go-to-market strategy and work towards your product launch.

7.

Is Fortify Labs by TZ APAC remote? Are participants required to travel?

Most of the program is remote, but participants are expected to attend 2 offsites a year with at least 1 key decision maker in attendance. Here is a breakdown on the two offsites:

The first offsite will be held at the start to meet the cohort, set goals, attend workshops and benefit from 1:1 mentor sessions.

The second offsite will be held in July during the growth sprint, and will focus on investment pitches, a VC dinner, progress reviews and more.

Each team will be given a stipend for each trip. 

8.

How can I apply or learn more?

Interested founders can apply here.
Feel free to visit our website at tzapac.com/fortifylabs and join our Telegram group for the latest updates. 

For further inquiries, please contact telegram: @daisyyoen (Startup manager at Fortify Labs)