The Cardano Foundation has entered a multi-year partnership with the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson School of Management to expand blockchain education and startup support, with coursework, fellowships, and an innovation showcase planned through 2027.
Announced on September 28, the partnership will connect UCLA students and early-stage founders with Cardano Academy content, practical blockchain projects, and opportunities to engage with the Cardano ecosystem. The initiative combines classroom education with startup funding, mentorship, and founder-focused programs.
Cardano Academy Content to Enter UCLA Course
Starting in 2027, Cardano Academy content and use cases will be incorporated into UCLA Anderson’s Blockchain Cryptocurrency Applications in Business and Finance course.
The course is taught by Alex Nascimento, a UCLA Anderson MBA graduate from 2008. Students will work with Cardano-related educational material, practical applications, and project-based exercises as part of the course.
The Foundation said the partnership is designed to give students and founders multiple opportunities to engage with blockchain technology, from coursework to startup funding, rather than limiting the initiative to classroom instruction.
October Masterclass to Focus on Blockchain and AI
The first major activity under the partnership will be the Cardano for the Real World: Blockchain, AI, and Building the Next Big Thing masterclass on October 19.
Developed by Cardano Academy and Nascimento, the session will cover enterprise Web3 applications, decentralized AI agent infrastructure, and real-world blockchain use cases.
Participants will work in teams to develop Web3 business architectures and deliver short pitches. The program will also include work involving AI-assisted smart contract development.
Students who successfully complete the masterclass will receive a certification sponsored by the Cardano Foundation.
Five UCLA Startups to Receive Cardano Fellowships
The partnership also introduces five Cardano-sponsored fellowships within the UCLA Accelerate Program.
Selected early-stage companies will receive funding, mentorship, and opportunities to engage with the Cardano ecosystem. The participating startups will also have the opportunity to explore applications built on the Cardano blockchain.
Nadia Mannell, director for commercialization and ecosystem growth at the Cardano Foundation, said the partnership will allow the Foundation to engage with founders early through its Cardano Academy and Venture Hub.
The Foundation said this support will include technical expertise, ecosystem access and operational guidance as founders develop their companies.
Cardano to Sponsor 2027 UCLA Innovation Showcase
The agreement also includes sponsorship of the 2027 UCLA Draper Innovation Showcase. The Foundation will support educational programming, founder engagement, and networking opportunities through the event.
This will provide another setting for students, entrepreneurs, and members of the Cardano ecosystem to connect.
Trish Halamandaris, director of the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson, said the partnership will give the UCLA community hands-on exposure to blockchain and AI while creating additional pathways for founders through mentorship and funding opportunities.
The collaboration adds to the Cardano Foundation’s existing education and ecosystem work with institutions including the University of Zurich, the University of Brasília, and PUC-Rio.
What Comes Next
The October 19 masterclass is the first scheduled activity under the new UCLA partnership. Cardano Academy content is then expected to enter the UCLA Anderson blockchain course in 2027, alongside the five startup fellowships and sponsorship of the 2027 Draper Innovation Showcase.
What this means for you: The partnership gives UCLA students and early-stage founders direct access to blockchain education, practical projects, funding, and mentorship connected to the Cardano ecosystem. For Cardano, it creates another channel for introducing its technology to students and startups through an established university business program.
