Sony has taken a significant step into the Web3 space with the launch of the Soneium Minato public testnet and the Soneium Spark incubator on August 28. Developed by Startale Labs, a Singapore-based subsidiary of Sony, this new layer-2 blockchain represents Sony’s most ambitious move in the blockchain and Web3 sectors to date.
Soneium Spark: A Developer’s Dream
The Soneium Spark incubator offers Web3 developers a robust support package, including potential investments of up to $100,000. Participants in the program will also benefit from funding opportunities through a network of partner firms. Additionally, developers will receive official backing from Sony Group, Astar Network, and Startale Labs, according to a statement from Sota Watanabe, the director of Sony Block Solutions Labs.
Partnerships and Support
Soneium Spark boasts an impressive lineup of partners. Astar Network, designated as a “special partner,” will offer extensive support to developers alongside other notable entities such as Circle (issuer of USD Coin), Ethereum layer-2 solution developer Optimism, blockchain development platform Alchemy, decentralized indexing system The Graph, and oracle network Chainlink. Notably, the Soneium blockchain is built on Optimism’s OP Stack codebase, showcasing its technical foundation.
Sony subsidiaries, including its music, film, education divisions, innovation fund, and Inzone gaming headset division, will also play a role in supporting the incubator. Jun Watanabe, chairman of Sony Block Solutions Labs, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering a creator-centered community. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with partners who share Sony’s vision of connecting diverse values through the Soneium platform.
Sony’s Journey into Web3
Sony’s involvement in the Web3 space has been growing steadily. The partnership with Startale Labs began in June 2023, when Sony Network Communications invested $3.5 million in the blockchain developer. This investment marked a turning point, leading to the rebranding of the Sony subsidiary as Sony Block Solutions Labs with the launch of Soneium.
Sota Watanabe, who serves as the director of Sony Block Solutions Labs, is also the CEO of Startale and the founder of Astar, a parachain operating within the Polkadot ecosystem.
Sony’s engagement with Web3 extends beyond Soneium. In April 2021, Sony invested in Epic Games’ metaverse initiatives, signaling its interest in the evolving digital landscape. In 2022, Sony Music invested in MakersPlace, a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace focused on digital art. Sony also patented an NFT app under the Columbia Records logo, further solidifying its commitment to exploring blockchain technology. Moreover, Sony Bank announced earlier this year that it is experimenting with a stablecoin for business payments, leveraging its intellectual property.
