In an exclusive chat with BeInCrypto, Nelson Lopez, the new CEO of XFounders, opened up about why he joined this unique crypto accelerator. XFounders combines traditional startup mentorship with a reality show format, making it stand out.
Co-founded by Fazil Suleymanov and Fedor Erashev, XFounders offers deep support to Web3 founders. Lopez brings a wealth of experience in mentoring and scaling businesses, making him a perfect fit for this role.
Lopez shared, "Honestly, Fedor and Fazil are two of the smartest and most dedicated minds in Web3 acceleration. That says a lot in an industry full of bold thinkers. I've known them for over two years. I've seen how they built XFounders from the ground up—not just as an accelerator but as a movement to bring real value to bootcamps. Their vision is ambitious yet achievable. Joining as CEO isn’t just about leading; it’s about being part of something transformative. The chance to scale XFounders and drive real change in the Web3 space was too good to pass up."
When asked how his experience in Season 2 of the program influenced his leadership approach, he said, "Mentorship gave me a clear view of what founders truly need. It’s not just about buzzwords or theories; it’s about providing real, actionable support. Founders need to turn their ideas into reality. What struck me most was their resilience and the uncertainty they face. It reinforced a key truth: an accelerator isn’t about spoon-feeding; it’s about enabling. As CEO, I want to ensure XFounders is a place where founders are challenged and transformed."
Lopez also discussed how he plans to measure success at XFounders. "Success should focus on outcomes, not just appearances. For us, the key performance indicators are clear. We aim for 70% of each cohort to secure funding within six months of graduation. We want our portfolio to reach $500 million in value within five years. We also track community engagement, like connections with investors and contributions from alumni. But beyond numbers, success is about the stories we create—like the founder who turns a seed idea into a powerful force."
As for changes he wants to implement, Lopez said, "I’ve seen bootcamp models evolve into formats that no longer serve founders—short, fully online programs with unclear investor engagement. I believe accelerators can’t be one-size-fits-all anymore. Web3 startups face unique challenges, like navigating tokenomics and building decentralized communities. One of my key initiatives is to tailor our programs to these needs. We’ll offer more customized bootcamps and deeper integration with industry players like the Solana Foundation and AWS. We want to create real pathways for founders to thrive in these volatile markets."
He continued, "We’re also expanding our ambassador program to enhance our reach and connect founders with targeted resources worldwide. Plus, we’ll keep pairing some bootcamps with our reality docuseries, showcasing our startups and brand to millions."
On the importance of mentorship, Lopez stated, "I truly believe mentorship is the lifeline of any startup. The best mentors don’t just share knowledge; they challenge assumptions and inspire founders to think bigger. At XFounders, we’re redefining mentorship in Web3. It’s not just about big names; it’s about mentors who understand the unique challenges of this ecosystem. We connect them with transformative ideas and startups they can help shape."
Looking ahead to Season 3, Lopez has exciting plans. "Season 2 proved that the Web3 narrative can reach a global audience. In Season 3, we’re going even bigger. We’re launching a founders’ challenge series to showcase real-time problem-solving in the Web3 space. Think of it as Shark Tank meets Web3. We’ll also create short, engaging content that resonates with a broader audience, drawing more talent into the space."
Lopez concluded with his vision for the long-term future of XFounders. "Our goal is to drive real impact for startups and the Web3 ecosystem. We’re scaling in size and influence, aiming to run four bootcamps a year and expand globally. We want to make XFounders accessible to the brightest founders, wherever they are. We’ll focus on tailored programs that tackle the unique challenges of Web3. We’re also committed to helping startups return value to investors by building sustainable, profitable companies."
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 real challenges, breakthroughs, and stories of innovation from the participants.
For more updates and details, visit the official website. Check out the links below to explore insights from XFounders’ participants and mentors: