After years of funding blockchain pilots, startup programmes and public-sector projects across Africa, Cardano, a global blockchain company that operates the cryptocurrency ADA with $5.45 billion in market cap, is turning its attention to a less visible question: who decides what gets built, funded, and prioritised across the ecosystem.
Founded in 2017, Cardano built its presence in Africa through its startup programmes, digital identity projects, and government partnerships, including a widely publicised education credentials initiative in Ethiopia.
Blockchain companies, as part of their distribution strategy, typically back developers and sometimes provide funding, such as grants, and resources to enable them to build on their networks.
Several blockchains build developer ecosystems through ecosystem-building, a community-driven strategy. Others, including Stellar and Sui, have taken a similar approach. Cardano, which has previously supported early-stage crypto startups through accelerators, now wants to perform open-heart surgery on the model itself, restructuring the process that comes before writing cheques.
Originally published by TechCabal.