Proof of Excellence by X Ventures
Transform your vision into impact.
The service-for-equity program for Web3 founders. For nine months we work your raise, your partnerships, and your visibility, then concentrate it all at Proof of Talk, the #1 summit in digital assets.
Selected case studies
What we actually do
Not a curriculum. Specific introductions, specific outcomes, year-round.
Co-led their $4M round and supported strategic partnerships with MetaMask, Chainlink, Kraken, KuCoin, and others. Entravel now generates approximately $1.2M in monthly revenue. Revenue grew 41% MoM the month before Proof of Talk and 60% MoM the month after, partly driven by integration into the Proof of Talk site.
“X Ventures delivered on both fronts: strategic partnerships with Kraken, Chainlink, and Metamask, and direct access to funds like GSR at Proof of Talk. We went from cold emails to committed capital in 2.5 weeks.”
Migrated Minted from EVM to Canton, introduced the founder to the Canton ecosystem, and got them a validator in under three weeks. Fundraising recently opened, with $1M already raised from angel investors and VCs. Active discussions with tier-1 VCs to lead the round. Next, a stage presence at the Louvre Palace, in front of the room that matters.
“X Ventures has supported us since day one, building momentum and awareness for Minted. Most importantly, they brought us into the Canton ecosystem and got us operationally ready to launch in a very short time.”
A direct introduction to Mo, then CEO of Aptos, at our 2024 speaker dinner led to a $1.5M investment from Aptos Labs. Continued support since then, including co-hosted events.
“The Proof of Talk investor dinner delivered what 12 months of cold outreach couldn't: a direct introduction to Mo from Aptos Labs that closed at $1.5M. This wasn't networking, it was deal-making.”
Pitched at Proof of Pitch and won the competition. Shortly after, closed a $7.5M round led by Pantera with OKX participating. A Pantera partner was on the jury. OKX was an event partner.
“Proof of Pitch was instrumental in connecting us with Pantera, who led our $7.5M round.”
Co-led their $1.5M round and facilitated a warm introduction that resulted in a Crypto.com investment. Also connected with Circle for a tech integration.
“X Ventures co-led our $1.5M round and facilitated, before, during, and after Proof of Talk, a warm introduction that resulted in a Crypto.com investment.”
Booth presence and targeted KOL introductions grew awareness for their Bittensor subnet. Reached top 5 subnets for two consecutive months post-event. Currently ranked #12 in the Bittensor ecosystem.
“Proof of Excellence helped us grow awareness for our Bittensor subnet through a booth presence and targeted KOL introductions. We reached the top 5 subnets for three consecutive months post-event.”
Why not just a ticket
A ticket gets you in the room.
Proof of Talk is open to anyone with a pass. Proof of Excellence is built around it, and adds the nine months of operator work that turn two days of access into a closed round.
- A seat at Proof of Talk
- A room of investors to work yourself
- The same two days as everyone else
- No one working your raise, before or after
- Operators with skin in the game, not advisors on the side
- Rounds co-led, introductions that close
- Warm intros to 100+ Web3 VCs and the Proof of Pitch jury
- Full access to Proof of Talk: stage, branding, exposure, side events
- A portfolio that ships deals together: BD, integrations, co-marketing
- Distribution across X Ventures channels and investor network
- A direct line into the Canton Network and institutional DeFi
- A partner for the next round, not just this one
Six areas, one catalyst
How we go to work
Service-for-equity, no program fee. Nine months of structured, hands-on work shaped around your goals across six areas, all converging at Proof of Talk.
- Rounds co-led, introductions that close
- Warm intros to 100+ active Web3 VCs
- Direct access to the Proof of Pitch jury: Dragonfly, Haun, CoinFund, Spartan, Arrington, Draper
- Deck, data room, and narrative preparation
- Term sheet review and negotiation support
- Operators with skin in the game, not advisors on the side
- Hands-on partnerships and business development
- GTM strategy and execution
- Hiring support: sourcing, interviewing, closing
- Legal and structuring guidance
- Business development and introductions across the portfolio
- Technical integrations between portfolio companies
- Co-marketing with other portfolio founders
- Shared playbooks on hiring, GTM, and ops
- Peer learning with founders at your stage
- Distribution across X Ventures channels
- Featured in X Ventures investor outreach
- Co-produced research reports, like the State of Web3 Capital
- Coverage through media partners, including INPUT Global
- A permanent place on the X Ventures portfolio
- A direct line into the Canton Network ecosystem
- Connections to institutional DeFi
- Infrastructure partners: OVHcloud, market makers, exchanges
- Validator and node operator introductions
- A partner for the next round, not just this one
- Ongoing follow-on fundraising support
- A lifetime alumni network
- A standing invitation to future Proof of Talk editions
The catalyst
Proof of Talk
June 2 to 3, 2026 · Louvre Palace, Paris
It all converges here. Whether you join a year out or two weeks before, the work concentrates into two days inside the Louvre Palace, in front of the investors, exchanges, and partners that move your company forward.
- Dedicated booth and onsite plus online branding, or your own 30-minute workshop.
- Guaranteed spot at the Proof of Pitch final.
- VIP++ tickets for founders, standard tickets for the team.
- Access to all our exclusive, invite-only side events.
- Prime feature on the Proof of Excellence landing page.
- One-on-one curated meetings organized by a personal concierge.
- Post-event media, social, and milestone amplification.
Where they are now
Previous Proof of Pitch winners
Proof of Pitch is the founder competition at Proof of Talk. Every Proof of Excellence founder is guaranteed a place on its stage.
Every outcome on this page started with an application.
ApplyHeadline speakers
The Proof of Talk stage
These are the institutional leaders on the Proof of Talk stage. As a Proof of Excellence founder, you are in the same rooms and at the same dinners, with one-on-one introductions arranged for you.
Proof of Talk speaker alumni
The network you join
From past editions
Inside Proof of Talk
The room, the stage, and the dinners where introductions turn into deals.
The day before Proof of Talk
Proof of Talk Prelude
The day before the summit, the pace is slower and the room is smaller. A round of golf at one of Europe's storied private clubs, a seated lunch, and an evening of champagne and canapes above the Eiffel Tower, alongside the funds and institutions you most want to know. This is where the conversations that never reach the stage happen, and where a founder stops being a name on a list and becomes someone worth backing. By the time Proof of Talk opens, the relationships are already there.
- When: Sunday, June 1, 2026, late morning to late evening
- Where: RCF La Boulie, Versailles, then a private venue in Paris
- Guests: Limited to 70, curated to keep the room balanced across funds, protocols, and institutions
By invitation. Proof of Excellence founders are prioritized for a place.
Terms
Subject to each project. Average active support: nine months. Followed by ongoing advisory and community backing.
Structured for long-term alignment. Typically 4% to 8% of equity or token supply, depending on the stage of the project.
X Ventures may independently participate in your current or next round with a $20K to $100K ticket.
Confirmed for Proof of Talk 2026
The room you'll be in
A selection of the funds and institutions confirmed for Proof of Talk 2026, each represented by the title shown. Over 200 VCs, LPs, and family offices have attended past editions.
Plus 100+ additional funds, family offices, and corporate investors across digital assets, AI, and infrastructure.
Before you apply
Questions founders ask
Who is Proof of Excellence for?
Web3 founders who are raising or preparing to raise, often building on Canton, Solana, Base, Bittensor, or other emerging stacks. If you want specific introductions and outcomes rather than a curriculum, the program is built for you.
How much does it cost?
Proof of Excellence is service-for-equity. There is no cash fee. Terms are set per project, typically 4% to 8% of equity or token supply depending on your stage, structured for long-term alignment.
How long does the program run?
Active support averages nine months, followed by ongoing advisory and community access. The work is shaped around your goals, not a fixed timeline.
What if I am not raising right now?
Fundraising is one of six disciplines. Marketing, partnerships, PR, branding, and exposure run on your timeline, whether or not a round is open.
How are applications reviewed?
On a rolling basis, and every application is read personally. Most places in the 2026 cohort are confirmed before Proof of Talk on June 2 and 3.
Does X Ventures invest directly?
It can. Separate from the program, X Ventures may participate in your current or next round with a $20K to $100K ticket.
Ready to be next?
The 2026 cohort is filling. We review applications on a rolling basis, and every one is read personally. Most places are confirmed before Proof of Talk on June 2 and 3.
Prefer email? Write to ferdinand@xventures.de.
Your application is in
We read every application personally and will be in touch. You can also reach us at ferdinand@xventures.de.