On Jan. 29, Chainlink Labs and Protocol Labs announced a partnership to enrich the Chainlink BUILD program, designed to amplify dApp development by aligning incentives across various ecosystems.
Through this alliance, members of the Chainlink BUILD program will gain access to various developmental tools, services, and specialized support, including options for decentralized storage and engineering aid.
Protocol Labs, with its extensive network of more than 600 tech startups, funders, and service providers, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the Chainlink BUILD program. The collaboration focuses on providing engineering assistance for a range of platforms, including IPFS, Filecoin, and libp2p.
Beyond technical support, the partnership extends to include workshop participation, mentorship programs, and innovative decentralized storage solutions. Select members of the program will also benefit from specialized talent support and exclusive access to the PL Founders Community.
Ruben Amenyogbo, a partner at Protocol Labs Builders Fund, emphasized the importance of this alliance, stating that “expert guidance” and “best-in-class infrastructure” are essential for success in the dynamic tech sector. The partnership aims to bolster startups in key areas such as DeFi, global trade, and gaming.
The Protocol Labs Builders Funnel, integral to this partnership, extends comprehensive support to startups within the Chainlink BUILD community. In 2023, the funnel was instrumental in enhancing the Filecoin ecosystem, aiding over 63,000 hackers in more than 120 hackathons, distributing prizes in excess of $1.6 million, and supporting 316 teams through various accelerator programs. This support has led to over $420 million in venture capital for accelerator teams and funding for more than 100 startups.
The partnership follows Chainlink’s integration with ChatGPT in November 2023, which marked a significant advancement in blockchain interoperability. The integration with Chainlink CCIP, a standard for cross-chain interactions, enabled transactions across Ethereum and Polygon blockchains.
ChainGPT, through this integration, aims to provide web3 users and projects with AI infrastructure and tools, facilitating access to users on top EVM chains without deploying its native token directly on those chains, thereby minimizing liquidity costs.
Amidst this backdrop, Chainlink has garnered considerable attention due to reports of potential mergers and collaborations, contributing to its growing prominence in the market. This development has led to a notable trend of large investors accumulating the LINK token in anticipation of a potential price rally in the future.