Zach Anderson
Jan 20, 2026 18:04
VeChain selects two community members as inaugural VeFounders to manage pre-built dApps, with full ownership granted at 100K users.
VeChain has selected its first two VeFounders—VirtualFlame and Nestor—to take operational control of pre-built applications on the VeBetter platform, marking a concrete step forward for the program launched in September 2025.
The handover process is already underway. Once complete, both founders will manage their respective apps with support from the VeChain Foundation, gaining full ownership including intellectual property and treasury assets after hitting 100,000 users.
Who Are the New VeFounders?
VirtualFlame has contributed to the VeChain ecosystem since 2020, building a track record in community leadership and on-chain content creation. He was among the earliest public advocates for VeBetterDAO, spending weeks educating community members on the platform’s mechanics before broader adoption took hold.
Nestor brings technical chops to the table. The developer won recognition at VeChain’s late 2025 hackathon and expressed specific interest in tackling food waste through his VeBetter application.
“Being a VeFounder is an opportunity to take all my experience and use it to solve a major global problem: food waste,” Nestor said in the announcement.
VeBetter’s Growth Numbers
The VeBetter ecosystem has expanded considerably since its June 2024 mainnet launch. The platform now hosts over 50 applications and has processed 46 million tokenized transactions. VeChain claims millions of dollars in rewards have been distributed for sustainability-related actions.
These metrics explain why VeChain developed the VeFounder model—the foundation built the infrastructure and initial apps, but scaling 50+ products simultaneously isn’t sustainable. Handing operational control to motivated founders lets VeChain focus on ecosystem-wide development while individual apps get dedicated leadership.
How the Program Works
VeFounders don’t build from scratch. They inherit working applications complete with social media channels, user bases, and treasuries. The program, developed with Boston Consulting Group, provides operational guidance and technical tools during a co-management phase with VeChain.
The 100K user threshold for full ownership creates clear incentive alignment—founders who can’t grow their apps don’t get equity. Those who can demonstrate real traction walk away with a fully operational Web3 business.
Market Context
VET currently trades at $0.0103, down 3.08% over the past 24 hours with a market cap of $889.7 million. The token hasn’t seen dramatic price movement on the VeFounder news, though the program represents a longer-term ecosystem development play rather than an immediate catalyst.
Applications for the VeFounder program remain open. VeChain indicated additional apps will be added to the program as suitable candidates emerge from the applicant pool.
Image source: Shutterstock
Source: https://blockchain.news/news/vechain-names-first-vefounders-vebetter-ecosystem
