XRP Pilot to Mainnet
Since its inception, Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) has fostered a global ecosystem where academic rigor meets real-world blockchain utility. Today, we are proud to announce the next evolution of this mission: the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX) program.
UDAX is designed to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and institutional readiness. It provides founders with the technical resources, mentorship, and capital connections necessary to scale on the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
The Inaugural Cohort: UDAX UC Berkeley Launched in Fall 2025, the inaugural cohort—UDAX UC Berkeley—was a partnership between Ripple and the University of California, Berkeley, a global hub renowned for producing more venture-backed founders than any other university. Over six intensive weeks, Ripple engineers, UC Berkeley faculty, and industry experts collaborated with nine startups to transform ambitious concepts into market-ready solutions.
From Pilot to Mainnet The pilot cohort represented the forefront of financial innovation, with teams building in sectors ranging from tokenized capital markets and decentralized insurance to the creator economy. The program featured: Launch Summit: An intensive kickoff in Berkeley. Development & Coaching: Weeks of synchronous technical support and strategic coaching.
Fundraising Sessions: Specialized training to prepare founders for institutional backing. Culmination and Demo Day The journey concluded at Ripple’s San Francisco headquarters with a closing summit and Demo Day. The event featured remarks from Ripple Co-founder Chris Larsen and CTO David Schwartz. Founders presented their progress to a distinguished audience of XRPL core developers, Ripple leadership, and representatives from leading venture capital firms.