Three blockchain startups chosen for Barclays mentorship program

Three start-ups, namely bitcoin exchange Safello, bitcoin-based debit card creators Atlas Card, and Blocktrace, which aims to provide blockchain solutions for the insurance industry, has been chosen   for joining Barclays Accelerator, a 90-day mentorship-driven program, in London this spring.

"The selection of Safello, Atlas Card and Blocktrace by Barclays Accelerator, at the very least, signals increased curiosity in the cryptocurrency space," said Frank Schuill, CEO at Safello, and added "that is already a major improvement from when we first started with Safello in 2013. We are moving from dismissal to curiosity. Now it is our job to take it to the next level."

The fintech-based start-up incubator is backed by Techstars, which will grant $20,000 worth of seed funding to the selected companies.

Simon Edhouse, co-founder and director of strategy at Blocktrace, said that that being chosen into the Barclays Accelerator program has been a "real honour", adding, "It represents a significant opportunity for us not only because of the immediate high level of attention focused on the solution, but also due to the abundant opportunities for quality mentoring and access to a range of prospective investors and the wider Techstars global network."