Early Riders, a venture fund dedicated to Bitcoin, has introduced The Stables, an accelerator initiative located in Texas Hill Country aimed at nurturing Bitcoin start-ups from around the globe. This program provides funding ranging from 2 to 5 BTC, a four-week residency period, and access to experienced Bitcoin developers and operators. It specifically targets start-ups that have viable solutions ready for the market within the financial services and technology sectors.
Michael Tanguma, who founded Early Riders as well as Onramp—a firm specializing in Bitcoin financial services—shared with Bitcoin Magazine that their focus is on consumer investments that demonstrate commercial viability today: “We concentrate on products people want and are willing to pay for right now.” The Stables accelerator is particularly interested in start-ups that tackle pressing market demands within the realm of Bitcoin financial services. This includes leveraging multi-institution custody systems for lending purposes, bit bonds, and real estate debt facilities. Regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific are of particular interest due to their critical need for fiat-to-Bitcoin conversion options essential for broader adoption.
The program seeks consumer-centric solutions addressing challenges like secure custody management, inheritance planning strategies, and smooth transitions between fiat currency and BTC—essentially resolving issues where users face difficulties entering into or safely holding bitcoin. Tanguma elaborated on this by stating historical examples like Lightning Network payments haven’t gained widespread usage yet: “We aim to encourage more practical use cases; while there’s some marginal activity happening now with these technologies,” he noted regarding prospective start-ups they wish to support.
Tanguma also mentioned Google’s integration of USDC stablecoins into its new AI initiatives: “It makes sense economically in a digital landscape—especially when considering AI—to utilize satoshis instead due to their superior design capabilities.”
The Stables is currently open for submissions; it will select five promising candidates who will participate in a demo day attended by Early Riders’ limited partners and advisors. The chosen winner will receive between 2-5 BTC depending on current bitcoin valuations along with project requirements—and enjoy a four-week residency experience set against Texas’s rural backdrop designed for optimal focus including childcare facilities and wellness amenities. This annual program plans its inaugural cohort launch during summer 2026.
Emphasizing efficiency driven by Bitcoin principles Tanguma stated: “When your capital cost revolves around bitcoin—which can appreciate annually anywhere from 30% up towards 50%… you naturally become more efficient regarding hiring practices alongside tool selection.” He explained how this philosophy enables startups focused on sound unit economics rather than merely chasing fiat-driven growth trajectories.
This initiative boasts global reach through Early Riders’ investments across various regions worldwide including areas like Latin America or Asia-Pacific among others.Tanguma expressed enthusiasm about engaging potential investors seeking stability against currency debasement: “This represents an international opportunity—we’re eager invite those passionate about learning more about how we can collaborate.” Furthermore,the accelerator offers pathways toward follow-on funding opportunities involving over fifty investors available at hand.
Tanguma’s background working at Unchained coupled with his experience managing high-net-worth clients at Ten31 informs his emphasis upon multi-institution custody systems which he claims provide “ten times greater security compared self-custody but requires only one-tenth effort/time.” Ultimately,the goal behind The Stables remains steadfast—to empower innovative startups driving forward adoption rates surrounding practical applications concerning bitcoin usage!
This article titled “Early Riders: Texas-Based Accelerator To Fund Bitcoin Start-ups with Up To 5 BTC” was originally published by Juan Galt on Bitcoin Magazine.