- Crypto investment firm dao5 has introduced tao5, an incubator designed to support early-stage subnets on the decentralized Bittensor protocol
- dao5’s acquisition of OWL Ventures’ validator, the third-largest in Bittensor by stake, bolsters its influence in the protocol’s governance and security.
- The incubator’s first project, Eternis’ “Lean In” subnet, aims to develop an AI system capable of solving complex mathematical hypotheses
- With over 60 active subnets and a vibrant developer community, Bittensor has become a hub for decentralized AI innovation
crypto investment firm dao5 has launched an incubator, dubbed tao5, aimed at accelerating the development of early-stage subnets on the Bittensor protocol. The initiative is positioned to foster cutting-edge AI applications within the decentralized ecosystem.
The announcement follows dao5’s acquisition of OWL Ventures’ network validator—now the third-largest validator by stake in the Bittensor ecosystem. By pairing its validator operations with the tao5 incubator, dao5 intends to play a pivotal role in the protocol’s security, governance, and subnet innovation.
Founded in 2022 by Tekin Salimi, a former general partner at Polychain Capital, dao5 has carved a niche in funding transformative crypto protocols and companies. The firm, structured to transition into a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), counts investments in projects like Berachain, EigenLayer, Story Protocol, and Movement Labs among its accomplishments. Salimi’s early recognition of Bittensor’s potential—discovered through its vibrant AI community and decentralized network architecture—set the stage for this deeper engagement.
“Bittensor exemplifies the ethos of open collaboration,” Salimi said. “Our goal is to enhance the caliber of technical teams building subnets on the protocol. We believe TAO’s fair and open design positions it as the leading ecosystem for best-in-class AI founders.”
Bittensor’s Growing AI Ecosystem
Bittensor, a decentralized AI protocol, has surged in prominence, with over 60 active subnets and many more in the pipeline. It has become a magnet for AI researchers and developers who seek open collaboration, offering a compelling alternative to the centralized control of traditional AI models.
The protocol rewards contributors with its native token, TAO, fostering a vibrant community of talent and innovation. Salimi’s early investments in Bittensor—conducted through direct over-the-counter token purchases—reflect his confidence in its long-term potential.
Partnering with AI Visionaries
As its first incubation partnership, tao5 has teamed up with Eternis, the team behind the “Lean In” subnet (SN#63).
Eternis is working to develop an AI system capable of formally proving complex mathematical hypotheses, marking a significant leap in the intersection of AI and mathematical reasoning. Inspired by breakthroughs like DeepMind’s AlphaGeometry, the project aspires to create an AI Mathematician, capable of Olympiad-level problem-solving and beyond.
“Our vision for ‘Lean In’ is to develop a decentralized ‘state root of knowledge’ that supports structured data and knowledge for various sectors,” said Srikar Varadaraj, founder of Eternis. “This collaboration with tao5 and Bittensor allows us to advance this mission.”
A Strategic Play in Decentralized AI
The launch of tao5 signals dao5’s strategic pivot to position itself at the nexus of decentralized AI and blockchain. With the incubator leveraging Bittensor’s growth and ecosystem, dao5 is not only deepening its stake in the protocol but also fueling advancements in AI that could redefine its application across industries.
By bridging the worlds of blockchain governance and collaborative AI research, dao5 and tao5 aim to set a precedent for innovation within decentralized frameworks. Whether it’s building AI mathematicians or securing open-source knowledge, this initiative underscores the transformative potential of combining blockchain and AI to tackle some of the most complex challenges of our time.
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