Animoca Brands has pushed back the application window for its $10 million Minds Investment Programme, giving startups and researchers an extra month to apply. The new cutoff date is June 26, the company said Wednesday, up from an earlier deadline that had already passed.
Why the extension
The decision is meant to widen the pool of applicants working on artificial intelligence projects. Animoca Brands said the added time could boost participation across industries where AI is still finding its footing — from healthcare and finance to education and entertainment.
“By extending the deadline, we aim to enhance opportunities for AI innovation and potentially accelerate advancements across diverse sectors through increased participation,” the company said in a statement.
The programme, announced earlier this year, is designed to fund early-stage ventures that are building on Animoca’s blockchain and Web3 infrastructure. Recipients get capital, technical support, and access to the firm’s network of partners. The money comes from Animoca’s own balance sheet, part of a broader push to embed AI into decentralized applications.
What the programme offers
Selected teams will receive up to $500,000 each, though the company hasn’t disclosed how many slots are available. The investment is structured as a convertible note — a loan that can turn into equity if the startup hits certain milestones. Animoca also offers mentorship from its in-house engineers and product leads, plus a spot in its accelerator program.
Applications are open to any legal entity — corporations, partnerships, even individuals — as long as the project involves AI and can demonstrate a viable prototype. The company has been vague on specifics about what kinds of AI projects it favors, but past investments have leaned toward generative AI, on-chain machine learning, and tools that automate smart contract audits.
The extension comes as venture capital for AI startups shows signs of cooling after a two-year boom. According to PitchBook data cited in earlier company materials, global AI deal flow dipped 12% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year. Animoca’s move could be an effort to draw in projects that might otherwise get overlooked in a tightening market.
The company itself is no stranger to pivots. Originally a game developer, Animoca shifted hard into Web3 gaming and non-fungible tokens in 2021. The Minds programme is its first dedicated AI fund, signaling a bet that the next wave of blockchain adoption will be driven by intelligent agents and automated decision-making.
Critics have questioned whether a company whose core business relies on crypto volatility can provide the kind of steady support AI startups need. Animoca has not addressed those concerns directly, but the extended deadline suggests it’s willing to wait for the right applications.
Applications are now due by 11:59 p.m. UTC on June 26. The company said it expects to notify winners within six weeks after that date.
