Tezos Partners with Google Cloud to Boost Etherlink Ecosystem

Etherlink has emerged as a cornerstone of the Tezos ecosystem, functioning similarly to Polygon within its respective blockchain environment. As an EVM-compatible Layer-2 network powered by Tezos Smart Rollups, Etherlink enables decentralized applications to scale with faster transaction speeds and significantly lower gas costs. What sets Etherlink apart from other Layer-2 solutions is its immediate data flow onto the Tezos main chain, ensuring almost instant finality rather than the periodic transaction posting common among competitors.

The EVM compatibility proves particularly valuable for developer adoption, as it allows Ethereum developers to utilize familiar tools and even migrate existing dApp codebases directly to Etherlink. This seamless integration with the Tezos network means Etherlink inherits the blockchain’s security, governance structure, and all major upgrades, creating a robust foundation for application development. The recent launch of Curve on Etherlink has further strengthened the ecosystem by supercharging stablecoin liquidity, demonstrating the network’s growing utility and adoption.

The Scale Tier of Google Cloud’s Web3 Startup Program offers Etherlink developers a comprehensive package of resources designed to remove barriers to innovation. The centerpiece includes up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits distributed over a two-year period, providing substantial infrastructure support without financial constraints. Beyond basic cloud services, developers gain access to Google’s advanced cloud tooling, including AI offerings and data platforms that can enhance dApp functionality and user experience.

Additional benefits include 12 months of free access to Google Workspace Business Plus and potential Enhanced Support credits worth up to $12,000 for one year. The program extends beyond financial support to include direct technical assistance from Google’s engineering team, solution architecture guidance, and dedicated engineering resources specifically for Web3 builders. This holistic approach addresses both the technical and operational challenges facing blockchain developers.

As Rich Widmann, Google Cloud’s head of Web3 strategy, explained, ‘Remove the friction, and innovation follows.’ This philosophy underpins Google’s broader ambitions in the Web3 space, where the company sees its cloud infrastructure as the ideal platform for various decentralized applications. Google’s existing relationship with Tezos, including serving as a validator and running secure network copies across six continents, provides a solid foundation for this expanded collaboration.

The partnership extends far beyond technical resources to include significant networking and market access benefits. Accepted developers gain entry to Google’s gated Discord channel for Web3 builders, engineers, and partners, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing. The program provides VIP invitations to Google Cloud events at major global Web3 conferences including Consensus, TOKEN2049 Singapore, and Paris Blockchain Week, offering unparalleled exposure and learning opportunities.

Perhaps most valuable for early-stage projects, Google is offering to introduce the most promising teams to its network of venture capitalists and angel investors. This access to potential funding sources, combined with invitations to exclusive online webinars and events, creates multiple pathways for project growth and sustainability. The program also opens doors to go-to-market opportunities within Google’s broader ecosystem and Web3 community, potentially accelerating user acquisition and platform adoption.

While the Google Cloud program offers substantial benefits, it maintains specific eligibility criteria to ensure resources reach established projects with growth potential. The most critical requirement is that projects must have received some form of funding, whether through equity investment, token sales, NFT sales, or grants from blockchain foundations. Projects that secured Series A funding within the last 12 months remain eligible, provided they were founded within the past decade and haven’t previously received more than $4,000 in Google Cloud credits.

Beyond the Google Cloud benefits, accepted Etherlink builders may qualify for additional grants from other blockchain foundations. These include up to $1 million from Aptos, Flow, NEAR Protocol, Celo, and the Solana Foundation, plus as much as $3 million from the Polygon Ventures Ecosystem Fund. This creates a potential funding pipeline that could transform promising projects into significant ecosystem contributors.

As Yann Régis-Gianas, Head of Engineering at Nomadic Labs, emphasized, ‘Having $200,000 in Google Cloud credits means builders can actually experiment and build, without worrying about infrastructure costs eating into their runway.’ This financial freedom allows developers to focus on innovation rather than cost management, potentially accelerating the development of groundbreaking applications on the Tezos ecosystem.