Pod Network is building a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed to settle transactions in about 200 milliseconds, a speed the team likens to a Google search. By removing the conventional consensus layer, the architecture aims to prevent Miner Extractable Value (MEV) and other bottlenecks that slow existing chains. The company originated as a spin-off of blockchain consultancy Common Prefix and is currently operated from Athens under 24-year-old founder and CEO Shresth Agrawal. Agrawal’s recent visa struggles in Greece underscore the regulatory hurdles the startup faces as it scales internationally. Pod Network has secured USD $10 million in seed financing, giving it runway to accelerate product development and expand its global market reach. Backers include a16z Crypto Startup Accelerator, 1kx, Flashbots, Blockchain Builders Fund and Protagonist, providing both capital and deep expertise in crypto infrastructure.

Total raised

$10M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Feb 2026