Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program offers opportunities for entertainment startups building onchain with Soneium.
The program focuses on real, user-first experiences.
Track Record
Investment and go-to-market support for high-quality onchain Dapps
Grant-based funding and select investments, plus marketing and business development support
32 projects selected from 1,700+ applications
Community- and culture-driven ecosystem growth program
Grant-based funding with strong operational support
11 projects selected from 250+ applications, primarily in gaming and consumer use cases
Program Overview
- Program Name
- Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program
- Timeline
- Applications open from October - December 2026
- Target Regions
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Accepting applications globally, subject to local laws and applicable international regulations.
*Companies based in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau are not eligible to apply. Entities from jurisdictions subject to OFAC sanctions are also ineligible.
- Support
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Ecosystem collaboration, business development support, marketing support, and potential investment consideration*.
*Participation in or selection for the program does not guarantee investment. Any potential investment will be subject to independent evaluation and decision-making outside the program.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for application- and content-layer projects that leverage onchain technologies within the broader entertainment space. This includes areas such as games, IP/media, XR, and social or community-driven experiences, where teams are building new forms of user engagement and value through onchain technology.
IP / Media
CAT.01Anime, manga, webtoons, movies, TV series, music, sports, live entertainment, character IP.
Games
CAT.02Console, PC and mobile games, esports, UGC-based games, casual and hyper-casual games.
XR / Immersive
CAT.03VR content, AR experiences, MR/XR applications, metaverse platforms, spatial computing, virtual worlds.
LBE
CAT.04LBE (Location-Based Entertainment) means entertainment that takes place in a real-world location, such as concerts, sports venues, theme parks, and immersive experiences.
Consumer / Social
CAT.05Fan activities and fandoms, fan communities, digital collectibles, fashion and merchandise, creator communities, short-form video, SNS, UGC platforms.
Live / Spectator
CAT.06Professional sports viewing, live streaming, music performances, streaming platforms, VTuber content, esports spectating.
Application Requirement
Entertainment × onchain
Applicants must have a clear vision at the intersection of entertainment, IP, and onchain. Projects (including IP-driven initiatives) should either already operate in this space or have a concrete plan to either build and deploy an entertainment-focused onchain application or integrate onchain elements into existing services or user experiences.
Soneium Compatibility
Projects should include support for Soneium. Multi-chain approaches are welcome, as long as Soneium is properly integrated.
Token Issuance Plan
Having a plan or rough concept for token issuance in the short to mid term is a plus, though not strictly necessary.
Program Timeline
Phase 0
Applications Open
Phase 1
Ongoing Screening and Selection
Phase 2
Selected startups begin receiving incubation support.
Selected startups will be contacted individually and announced on a rolling basis following completion of the selection process.
Next Step
We’re here to support promising ideas through ecosystem connections, business development, and hands-on support. Selected participants may also be considered for potential investment. Build the future with us.*
*Participation in or selection for the program does not guarantee investment. Any potential investment will be subject to independent evaluation and decision-making outside the program.
RegisterFAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program is open to teams building or planning to build on-chain products in the entertainment space.
Can we apply without a live product?
Yes. Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program accepts applications at the idea stage, as long as there is a clear vision for user experience and execution.
However, having a live product with an existing user base will be advantageous during the selection process.
Is building on Soneium required?
Yes. Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program is designed for teams building on Soneium or those with a clear plan to integrate with Soneium.
Can teams from other ecosystems apply?
Yes. Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program welcomes teams from other ecosystems; however, having a clear plan to expand to or integrate with Soneium is required. Execution is expected within a reasonable and mutually agreed timeline with the program team, taking into account development feasibility.
What kind of support is provided?
Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program plans to provide selected participants with support in areas such as integration, ecosystem collaboration, business development, and marketing and promotion. Certain selected participants may also be considered for potential investment. However, participation in or selection for the program does not guarantee investment. Any potential investment will be subject to independent evaluation and decision-making outside the program.
How many teams will be selected?
Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program selects a limited number of teams based on quality, user value, and strategic fit.
What are the selection criteria?
Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program evaluates:
User-first experience
Entertainment value
Meaningful use of on-chain technology
Team execution capability
A clear token economy strategy
Are there opportunities to collaborate with Sony?
Yes. Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program may provide selected teams with opportunities to collaborate with Sony Group resources and teams. (Please note that the final decision will be subject to the project details and the discretion of the relevant business unit.)
What types of projects are you looking for?
Sony Onchain Entertainment Incubation Program focuses on entertainment use cases such as those outlined across various categories, with a strong emphasis on user experience.
Is issuing a token required?
Having a plan or rough concept for token issuance in the short to mid term is a plus, though not strictly necessary. The token should have defined utility, such as governance, incentives, or access rights, and be supported by a clear tokenomics model.
Can teams from any country apply?
Accepting applications globally, subject to local laws and applicable international regulations.
*Companies based in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau are not eligible to apply. Entities from jurisdictions subject to OFAC sanctions are also ineligible.
What is expected from selected teams?
We are looking for highly motivated startups that demonstrate a strong commitment to growth and are eager to actively engage in the incubation program. Selected startups are expected to continue to build and scale their entertainment services, expanding their fan communities, and contribute to the Soneium ecosystem.
Is participation in offline activities required during the incubation program?
No. The program is designed to allow online participation.
What kind of participation is expected in the incubation program?
Participants are expected to complete the application form and cooperate with any follow-up inquiries or requests for online meetings.
There may also be opportunities such as support sessions or demo days; however, the program is not expected to require long hours of continuous participation.