XFounders’ New CEO Nelson Lopez Reveals Vision to Scale Web3 for Long-Term Success
In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Nelson Lopez, newly appointed CEO of
XFounders, co-founded by Fazil Suleymanov and Fedor Erashev, provides immersive support to Web3 founders. Lopez’s extensive background in mentoring and business scaling makes him the ideal candidate to lead the next phase of the accelerator.
What motivated you to serve as CEO of XFounders? Were there any specific factors or opportunities that ultimately convinced you to join the team in this capacity?
“I can honestly say that Fedor and Fazil are two of the brightest and most determined minds in Web3 acceleration, which is huge in an industry filled with bold thinkers.
I’ve known them for over two years, and in that time I’ve seen firsthand how they’ve built XFounders from the ground up – not just as an accelerator, but as a sport that brings real value to the camp. They have proven time and time again that their vision is ambitious and achievable.
For me, joining the CEO team isn’t just about taking on a leadership role; it’s about taking on responsibility. It’s about being part of something transformative. The opportunity to extend XFounders and drive meaningful change in the Web3 space is not to be missed.
Additionally, it represents an amalgamation of everything I’ve done to date – from coaching founders and startups, mentoring leadership and building teams, to advising in the venture capital and accelerator space, and scaling overseas for large centralized exchanges business. It all comes together so beautifully – combining shared trust, experience and vision – that the path forward only makes sense if we work together. “
How has your experience mentoring Season 2 impacted your vision and approach to leading XFounders into its next phase?
“Season 2 coaching gave me an insider’s perspective on what founders really need—not just buzzwords or theories, but raw, actionable support to navigate the chaos and turn ideas into reality. This That’s what you look for in a founder—the drive to turn abstract ideas into something tangible.
What strikes me most is the resilience and uncertainty these founders bring to the table. It reinforces a simple but powerful truth: accelerators are not cramming; It’s about enabling.
As CEO, my goal is to double down on this philosophy and ensure that XFounders remains a place where founders are challenged, driven, and ultimately transformed. “
As CEO, how do you plan to measure the success of XFounders in the coming quarters? Are there any specific KPIs or benchmarks that you will focus on?
“Success must be measured by results, not visuals. For XFounders, the KPIs are clear. Our goal is to help 70% of each cohort receive funding within six months of graduation.
Our goal is to increase the value of our portfolio to $500 million within five years. We also measure community engagement, from investor relations to active alumni contributions.
But beyond the numbers, success lies in the stories we create – founders turning seed ideas into disruptive forces, or startups attracting not just funding but a loyal community around real solutions to global challenges. “
As the new CEO, what key changes or initiatives do you plan to implement in the next few quarters to differentiate XFounders from other accelerators and further support the growth of Web3 startups?
“First, I’d like to say that I’ve watched the bootcamp model evolve into something that no longer serves founders — short, fully online programs with unclear investor engagement. They know who they are. I believe Accelerators are no longer one-size-fits-all Web3 startups face unique challenges, both in terms of navigation and navigation. Tokenomicsbuild decentralized communities, or expand regulatory minefields.
One of my main initiatives is to tailor our plans based on these nuances. This means more bespoke bootcamps, with industry players such as Solana Foundation and AWS are collaborating to create practical ways for founders to not only survive but thrive in a volatile market.
We will also expand our ambassador program to expand our reach and connect founders to hyper-targeted resources around the world. In addition, we will continue to combine some bootcamps with our reality documentary series, designed to showcase our startups, partners and brands to millions of viewers around the world. “
In your opinion, what role does mentorship play in the success of a startup? How will XFounders continue to attract top mentors who can provide valuable guidance?
“After doing this for a while, I firmly believe that mentorship is the lifeblood of any startup. The best mentors don’t just share knowledge—they challenge assumptions, help founders gain insight into situations around them, and inspire them to think about bigger questions. It’s both It’s about inspiring action and it’s about sharing knowledge.
At XFounders, we’re redefining guidance in Web3. It’s not just about the big shot or the resume; It’s about being a mentor who understands decentralized models, token economics, and the unique challenges of scaling in this ecosystem.
To attract these top mentors, we offer more than just a seat at the table—we give them a stake in the future of Web3 by connecting them with transformative ideas and startups they can help shape. We’ve had success with this and now have multiple mentors working with founders of our kind thanks to the connections we made at the bootcamp. “
With the success of the reality show format in Season 2, what new formats or strategies do you plan to introduce in Season 3 to increase the public visibility of XFounders and attract more startups?
“Season 2 proved that Web3’s storytelling doesn’t have to be limited to niche circles—it can engage a global audience. In Season 3, we’re going even bigger.
We plan to launch a Founders Challenge series to demonstrate real-time problem solving and the resiliency needed to build in Web3. Think of it as Shark Tank combined with the Web3 ecosystem.
We will also amplify entrepreneurial stories through short-form content to connect with a wider audience beyond cryptocurrency enthusiasts and attract more talent into the space. “
Looking to the future, what are your long-term goals for XFounders? How do you plan to adapt its model to ensure it is relevant and evolves as the Web3 startup ecosystem grows?
“Our long-term vision for As we scale globally, our goal is to make XFounders accessible to the brightest founders, no matter where they are.
We are committed to maximizing value for startups through more tailored programs that address the unique challenges of Web3. At the same time, we are creating pathways for startups to return value to investors by building companies that are not only innovative, but also sustainable and profitable.
For our own investors, we are committed to delivering returns through strategic portfolio management and syndicates, ensuring they are part of the success story we help create. Ultimately, we evolve to expand our ecosystem, help startups achieve massive success, and create measurable, lasting impact for everyone involved. “
Be the first to watch the XFounders Startup Warriors Show!
As an official media sponsor of XFounders, BeInCrypto invites you to witness the journey of the next generation of Web3 founders in the XFounders Startup Warriors Show, premiering this fall. This unique project will showcase participants’ real stories of challenges, breakthroughs and innovations.
Don’t miss a moment – watch the trailer now for an exclusive preview of what’s to come.
For more updates and details, visit the official website and click on the link below to explore more insights from XFounders participants and mentors.
How XFounders is building the future of Web3
Inside the heart of an XFounders mentor
XFounders participants talk about the challenges and triumphs of Web3 entrepreneurship
Disclaimer
conform to trust project Guide, this guest expert article represents the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of BeInCrypto. BeInCrypto remains committed to transparent reporting and upholding the highest journalistic standards. Readers are advised to independently verify the information and consult a professional before making decisions based on the content of this article. Please note that our terms and Conditions, privacy policyand Disclaimer Updated.