DeFi Builders Program: Scaling the future of DeFi on Polkadot

In less than a decade, DeFi has grown from an experiment on the fringes to a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem. Builders have proven what’s possible, creating tools that reimagine from the ground up. But the same problems keep resurfacing: the struggle to attract users and funds, the constant threat of security hacks, and good apps getting stuck, unable to find product-market fit and sustainable business models. Moving forward will require more than incremental fixes; it demands a stronger foundation.

The question is no longer just what we can build, but where it can be built so our projects can last and succeed. Polkadot is emerging as that answer, offering a real opportunity for DeFi builders who want to create applications that endure.

The EVM-compatible Hub on Polkadot

The foundation of this new opportunity is technology. While many builders are comfortable building on the EVM, the real challenge for growing dApps isn't just fees, but a lack of resilience and scalability. Predictable costs and performance are essential. The new EVM-compatible Hub on Polkadot addresses this directly; it’s a smarter way to build. It combines the tools you already know with a much more powerful and flexible network, designed for safety and cost predictability from the ground up.

You can build with familiar tools like Solidity, Foundry, and MetaMask, but you don't have to be limited by the constraints of the EVM or the scalability issues of general-purpose L2s. Polkadot offers the best of both worlds: it provides the familiar tooling within a scalable and resilient platform, allowing your product to grow seamlessly along with your user base. This lets you focus your time and money on what really matters: building a great product.

How Polkadot helps DeFi builders scale

As any experienced builder knows, the right technology is just the beginning. The real challenge often lies in navigating the path from a great idea to a successful launch. Take the classic cold-start problem: launching to an empty platform with no funds. DeFiLlama's data consistently shows that a massive portion of a protocol's Total Value Locked (TVL) is concentrated in the top few applications, making it incredibly difficult for new projects to attract initial capital. The old "if you build it, they will come" model is broken. A stronger approach is to launch with strategic partners who can provide the first wave of funds, ensuring a healthy market from day one.

Then there’s the ever-present security nightmare. According to Chainalysis, over $2.2 billion was stolen in crypto hacks and exploits in 2024. This doesn't just lose money; it destroys user trust. Even a secure product with deep liquidity can fail if it launches into silence. A great product needs a real plan to find users and build a community.

The DeFi Builders Program: support beyond code

To solve these challenges, the Polkadot community is creating a stronger, more supportive environment for builders. It’s a shift toward a more collaborative approach, exemplified by initiatives like the DeFi Builders Program, an effort led by Velocity Labs along with key partners like the Web3 Foundation and Parity Technologies. Instead of just offering Velocity Labs a grant and wishing you luck, this model provides a complete plan. This isn’t just a loose collection of resources; it's a structured, 12-week journey designed to take your project from concept to launch-ready:

• Weeks 1-2 (Onboarding): Your journey begins with a deep dive into the program, its key partners, and the extensive network available to you.
• Weeks 3-8 (Mentorship & Product Building): This phase focuses on building and refining your product through weekly check-ins and live lectures with subject matter experts.
• Weeks 9-11 (Execution & Go-to-Market Prep): Attention shifts to bringing your product to market, covering everything from strategy and execution to fundraising and investor pitches.
• Week 12 (Demo Day): The program culminates in a Virtual Demo Day, where you will present your project to investors and VCs.

Throughout this process, the program brings together funding, direct technical help from core developers, security support, and marketing strategy as one package, designed to help builders launch new, useful applications faster and more safely.

Apply to join the DeFi Builders Program today

The future of DeFi won't be built by one team or on one chain. It will be built by connected communities that give builders the tools they need to solve real problems. The technology is here. The support is ready.

The next chapter of DeFi is waiting to be written, and we're building it together on Polkadot.

Join the builders shaping the future of DeFi. Explore the DeFi Builders Program and connect with the teams making it happen on Polkadot.

About the author

Jonathan Boyd, Leading DeFi & Infra BD at Velocity Labs (Polkadot) | Ex-RWA/Institutional & DeFi Lead | Raised $5M+ | Scaling partnerships, liquidity & ecosystem growth.