Inside the UF Blockchain Lab's $270K Algorand Foundation grant, open-source education initiative, and BEN's advisory role shaping the next generation of blockchain builders.
University of Florida Blockchain Lab: How BEN is Bridging Academia and Industry
The University of Florida has established itself as one of the most important blockchain education hubs in the country. With the founding of the UF Blockchain Lab, a $270,000 Algorand Foundation grant, and deep ties to the Blockchain Education Network, UF is producing founders, researchers, and operators who are building the future of Web3.
The UF Blockchain Lab
In January 2022, the University of Florida partnered with the Algorand Foundation to establish a dedicated Blockchain Research Lab. The initiative was funded through Algorand's 250 million ALGO Grants Program under the education and community category.
Dr. Marko Suvajdzic, Associate Professor of Digital Arts and Sciences and Director of the UF Blockchain Lab, leads the effort. With over 25 years of experience in academia and digital research, Dr. Suvajdzic has secured $7 million in external research funding and co-founded five digital media startups. His work has been recognized at Talks at Google and the Game Development Conference.
The lab's mission is to provide accessible, open-source blockchain education to everyone free of charge. In its first year, the program developed:
- Six online courses covering blockchain fundamentals and Algorand technology
- Two accredited undergraduate courses, including "Blockchain Innovation in Digital Arts and Sciences"
- Four non-credit public courses on Algorand development, open to anyone
- A dedicated Blockchain/Algorand category in UF's Big Idea Gator Business Plan Competition
BEN's Role at UF
The Blockchain Education Network has had a presence at UF since the early days of the Gator Blockchain Club. Antonio Gomes, BEN's President and General Partner of BEN Ventures, is a UF Warrington College of Business graduate ('20) and past president of the Gator Blockchain Club. He now serves on the Advisory Board of the UF Blockchain Lab, helping bridge BEN's global network with UF's academic infrastructure.
Before leading BEN full-time, Antonio worked at Oracle headquarters, multiple venture capital firms, and in the OTC brokerage sector. Today he leads BEN's ecosystem growth across 10,000+ students in 35+ countries and manages BEN Ventures, a fund backing student founders building Web3 startups.
UF Alumni in the BEN Network
The University of Florida has produced a remarkable concentration of blockchain talent within the BEN network, including:
- Perianne Boring (UF '10) — Founder and Chair of The Digital Chamber, the largest blockchain trade association in the U.S. representing over 200 companies. Former legislative analyst in the U.S. House of Representatives. Forbes 30 Under 30.
- Andy & Robert Klages — Co-Founders of The Rollup and The Rollup Ventures. 50+ investments, 1,000+ podcast episodes, and events across 40+ countries.
- Richard Liu — Co-Founder & Co-CEO at Huma Finance
- Cameron Thacker — Co-Founder & Vice President at Mythical Games
- Will Weinraub — Co-Founder & CEO at Cryptoys / OnChain Studios
- Jordan Kruger — Co-Founder & CEO at Vesper
- Kate Mitselmakher — Founder & General Partner at Bloccelerate
Why This Matters
University blockchain programs are no longer experimental — they are talent pipelines. The combination of accredited courses, faculty-led research labs, venture funding, and alumni networks creates compounding value that traditional education alone cannot match.
BEN's role in this ecosystem is to connect the dots: linking student founders with capital, connecting university labs with industry partners, and ensuring that the next generation of blockchain builders has the network and resources to succeed.
The UF Blockchain Lab is a model for what this looks like in practice. And the alumni it produces — from $1B+ protocol founders to the chair of the largest blockchain trade association in America — are proof that it works.
Interested in bringing blockchain education to your university? Get involved with BEN or explore our university network.