The Solana ecosystem is buzzing with excitement as the Solaris Accelerator announces the opening of applications for its second cohort. Organized by Solar and HackQuest, and backed by the Solana Foundation and SonicSVM, this 12-week program is tailored for global Chinese crypto founders looking to supercharge their projects. Whether you're diving into DeFi, AI, payments, or even the wild world of meme tokens on Solana, this accelerator promises top-notch resources to help you thrive.

Diving into the Program

Solaris Accelerator isn't just another bootcamp—it's a launchpad designed to connect Chinese-speaking builders with the global Solana network. The program emphasizes key areas like internet capital markets, payments, AI, and DeFi, which are hotbeds for innovation in blockchain. If you're building a meme token project, this could be your chance to refine tokenomics and go-to-market strategies with experts who understand the Solana meme culture.

From the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the focus is on providing elite mentorship, co-living opportunities, and direct access to venture capital. Running from August to December 2025, it's all about turning ideas into scalable realities.

Highlights from Cohort 1: Real Results

The first cohort set a high bar, recruiting seven early-stage teams and delivering impressive outcomes. By the end, six projects launched their minimum viable products (MVPs), and four secured funding with valuations up to $30 million.

Take Bolarity, which partnered with Wormhole and launched a multi-chain DeFi aggregator, becoming a key entry point on Solana after closing an angel round. Then there's Unitas Labs, which raised seed funding at a $30 million valuation and introduced USDU, a stablecoin offering over 12% yields to fill gaps in Solana's stablecoin landscape.

TypeX Keyboard hit it big too, building the first crypto-native keyboard with over 5,000 daily active users and snagging third place in the consumer apps track at Colosseum's Breakout hackathon. These stories show how Solaris turns potential into progress, even inspiring meme token creators to think bigger about user engagement and adoption.

Elite Mentors to Guide Your Journey

One of the standout features is the mentor lineup—industry heavyweights ready to share insights. Leading the pack is Lily Liu, Chair of the Solana Foundation, alongside Siong from Jupiter Exchange, Emily from Bybit and Byreal, Benson from OKX Ventures, and Can from Backpack.

Other notable mentors include Mert from Helius Labs, Mark from Kamino Finance, Chris from SonicSVM and Donut Browser, Weekee from Virtuals, James from STSSSOL, and Joanna from SOON SVM. Plus, experts from Blueshift, Primitive Crypto, Wonderstruck, and Manta Network. This network isn't just for advice; it's for building lasting connections in the crypto space, perfect for anyone navigating the meme token frenzy on Solana.

The 12-Week Roadmap

The program is structured for maximum impact:

• Weeks 1-2: Kickoff with co-living in the Startup Village, fostering deep connections and visits to partners in Hong Kong.
• Weeks 3-4: Online sessions plus an in-person founders' brunch in Singapore for networking.
• Weeks 5-10: Dive into online courses, one-on-one guidance, and weekly check-ins focused on crypto building and growth.
• Weeks 11-12: Culminate in Demo Day, where you pitch to top VCs, angels, and experts, followed by graduation and ongoing community support.

This hands-on approach ensures you're not just learning but actively building, with perks like founder forums and a video library to keep the momentum going.

Ready to Apply?

If you're a Chinese crypto founder with a vision for Solana—be it a groundbreaking DeFi protocol, an AI-driven tool, or the next viral meme token—Solaris Accelerator Cohort 2 is calling. Applications are open now, and you can learn more or apply directly at solaris.hackquest.io. Don't miss this opportunity to join a community that's shaping the future of blockchain. For those not quite ready, book a chat with the team to explore your fit.

Stay tuned to Meme Insider for more updates on Solana's ecosystem, where memes meet serious tech innovation.