Google Adds Web3 Features to Cloud Offerings

Google Cloud, a cloud services platform offered by Google, is now offering a special initiative for Web3 startups that leverages collaborations and partnerships with some of the biggest companies in crypto. 

The Web3 Startups Program is part of the wider Google for Startups Cloud Program—which provides technical tools, cloud services, and more to pre-seed to Series A companies.

Projects who become part of the program will receive unique Web3 benefits, including a private Discord channel with Google Cloud Web3 product and engineering teams, Web3 training courses, and grants from Google Cloud’s foundation partners Aptos, Celo, Flow, HBAR Foundation, Near, and Solana Foundation.

Google Cloud has been working on Web3 products for several years. Previously, they created the Blockchain Node Engine, a fully managed node-hosting service. And only last year, they formed a fully dedicated team of Web3 product managers and software engineers, aimed to bring products to market that service the Web3 community.

Even so, the tech giant is entering an increasingly crowded field of infrastructure providers for Web3 outfits, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft’s Azure, and the Web3 native Chainstack.

“Our goal is to enable Web3 builders with reliable, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure on which to build their applications,” James Tromans, Head of Web3 engineering at Google Cloud, told Decrypt via email. “We want to make Google Cloud the first choice for every Web3 startup and developer to help launch and scale their business.” 

One of the most promising elements of this initiative is Google Cloud’s collaboration with Web3 native projects like Nansen Query, Alchemy, and thirdweb—as well as the previously mentioned foundation partners—to provide a customizable service.

“The ethos of Web3 is centered around partnerships.” Tromans said. “Our program doesn’t just leverage what we can offer but also the unique incentives that other Web3 innovators can provide as well.” 

He said Google Cloud understands that Web3 startups have different needs than regular companies. 

“All startups move fast, but Web3 startups are known to move even faster—and the pace of innovation and change in the ecosystem requires us to be incredibly agile when it comes to serving our customers.” Tromans said. “These businesses count on us not to just be an expert about their specific product offering but they also expect us to be an expert in all the other Web3 technologies surrounding that product as well.”

Web3 builders who choose Google Cloud will be provided a number of tools to help develop their project, including up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits over two years. Those enrolled in the program will also have the opportunity to gain early access to Google Cloud’s new Web3 products before they’re available to the public. 

There are requirements and restrictions that will apply to Web3 companies that are accepted to participate. A “Start Tier” is for pre-seed companies less than five years old, and a “Scale Tier” is for for those less than ten years old and with verified funding up through Series A. Google Cloud services, including Web3 features and offerings from partners, will be available at a steeply discounted price.

“As Web3 evolves, and as new use cases emerge, we will focus on helping the Web3 developer community reliably and sustainably scale and grow blockchain-based applications.” Tromans said. “Likewise, we will continue to work alongside partners and open-source communities to enable the Web3 ecosystem and accelerate its adoption.”