Astar Network is the Smart Contract Hub for WASM + EVM and the top Parachain on Polkadot in Total Value Locked + Most Ethereum Assets. Since winning its Parachain auction in January 2022, Astar Network has become one of the top Parachains in the Polkadot ecosystem in Total Value Locked and most Ethereum assets transferred over. Astar Network is the leading smart contract hub that connects the Polkadot ecosystem to Ethereum, Cosmos, and all major layer 1 blockchains. Astar Network supports dApps using multiple virtual machines - namely WASM and EVM - and offers the best technology solutions and financial incentives via its Build2Earn and Astar Incubation Program for Web3 developers to build on top of a secure, scalable, and interoperable blockchain. 

The Astar Builders Program was organized to help further the development, growth, and adoption of the Polkadot ecosystem by supporting teams who are building on it. It allows developers to build applications and infrastructure to meet the blockchain community's needs, developing and creating apps that can further push the web 3.0 space. As part of the program, Astar ecosystem projects receive technical, networking, fundraising, and marketing support. For more information on how to join Astar Builder Program, visit https://astar.network/builders-program/.

Astar launched its incubation program in February 2022 to provide additional support to the ecosystem projects like Arthsap and Astrid DAO, please see here: https://defillama.com/chain/Astar coming out of its Builders Program. The program delivers all the benefits of the Builders Program, as well as seed funding opportunities to accelerate projects' time-to-market.

All startups who join either the Astar Builders Program or Astar Incubation Program, can enjoy the AWS Activate Program which will be eligible for up to $100,000 USD of credits to help cover AWS service usage. Teams will also be able to have technical mentoring with experts with AWS engineers and other industry experts. AWS will support startups in the two Astar programs during and after the program for a longer period of time to grow their business on AWS.

"This partnership has come at a great time for Astar and the developers using our hub," said Sota Watanabe, Founder and CEO of Astar Network. "Our core goal has always been to let developers build applications that the community wants and needs. With AWS Activate, it'll be even easier for them to do this with confidence. We're excited to see the innovations this partnership will help bring to life."

"At AWS, we've always been passionate about supporting startups to grow, thrive, and improve their business operations through the power of the cloud. Providing AWS Activate program towards Astar Network to help expand its Builders Program and Incubation program harness better engagement among its community is a natural next step for us," said Hiroshi Hata, Head of Japan Startup Business Development, Amazon Web Services Japan G.K. (AWS). "We're excited to see how our support for the Astar ecosystem will spark diverse, interesting, and innovative projects to the benefit of all."