Sella bank exposes itself to Web3 with a metaverse initiative

Sella, a bank and financial institution, announced the launch of its new international accelerator program called “Metaverse 4 Finance” to expand its interests in the Web3 sector. 

This program, implemented by Sella’s Venture Incubator dpixel, aims to identify and support innovative startups in the field of applied metaverse finance, particularly those using native decentralized technologies and blockchain protocols.

A metaverse and Web3-focused initiative by Banca Sella

The primary goal of the “Metaverse 4 Finance” program is to accelerate the development of startups that can bring the benefits of Web3 to businesses. 

This includes optimizing infrastructure, improving user experience and providing “as-a-service” solutions to revamp traditional applications using web3 and blockchain principles.

The program focuses on four key application areas. The first is technology, emphasizing decentralized infrastructure, low coding, digital identity, security by design, interoperability and artificial intelligence. 

The second area is legal and data, which addresses blockchain data analysis, tax reporting and compliance. 

The third area is products and services, dedicated to AI solutions for wallet management, augmented and virtual reality in the B2B and retail sectors, blockchain-as-a-service solutions, and business models focused on NFTs and tokenomics.

Finally, the program includes a banking component aimed at facilitating the transition from web2 to web3 by overcoming technological complexities and improving the end-customer experience.

“Metaverse 4 Finance” is designed for startups operating in the web3 space, with a core team, a clear value proposition, a prototype ready for market within 6-10 months, and a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher.

The structure of the “Metaverse 4 Finance” program

The program lasts six months and is divided into four phases. The first phase involves scouting and selection, during which the best startups will be chosen. 

This will be followed by a business acceleration phase to support the development of a solid business plan, and then identify the 10 best entities. 

The third phase focuses on technical validation of the products and solutions offered by the selected startups. 

Finally, the program concludes with matchmaking, which provides an opportunity to integrate these innovative solutions into the existing processes of companies operating in the field. Specifically, the five most accelerated startups will receive an investment of 100,000 euros each from dpixel.

The second edition of “Metaverse 4 Finance” introduces a significant advancement through the involvement of international partners. These partners include metaverse factories, law and compliance firms, web3 communities, and technology companies specializing in decentralized finance solutions based on layer 2 protocols. 

This collaborative approach aims to equip startups with a decentralized financing solution. This collaboration wants to equip startups with the tools, skills and support they need to accelerate their go-to-market strategies.

The inaugural edition of “Metaverse 4 Finance” received tremendous interest, with 117 applications received from 26 countries. In the end, four startups from the US, UK, Romania, and Switzerland secured investments through the program.

With the launch of this new international accelerator program, Sella and dpixel are reinforcing their commitment to fostering innovation in the financial sector and encouraging the adoption of web3 technologies in metaverse-oriented projects. 

Through their support and investment, these initiatives are set to transform the finance landscape and create opportunities for startups around the world.