Participated · Seed · Aug 2019

Cere Network builds a blockchain-based customer relations management system and operates a decentralized data cloud. The company runs its own blockchain that supports Polkadot and includes bridges to Ethereum and Polygon to enable data transfers. Cere plans to complete integration of its decentralized data cloud into Polygon’s protocol and Polkadot by the end of the third quarter. The recent funding will be used for new hires, developer network growth and app development to accelerate those integrations. Cere has grown its team to more than 60 employees globally to meet demand for its decentralized data cloud launch. The company was described as Berlin-based in the article, and an update notes it has changed the location of its headquarters. Cere Network offers a decentralized data cloud (DDC) platform that hosts thousands of data queries on a blockchain-based ledger and uses blockchain identity plus data encryption to onboard and segment consumer data. The platform creates customizable, interoperable virtual datasets accessible in near real time by business units, partners, and ML processes, and it launches to developers today. Cere plans an open data marketplace powered by its Cere token to enable trustless data-sharing, staking, and governance; the public token sale is scheduled on Republic (March 31) and will be the first token sale on that platform. The company says it is working with a number of Fortune 1,000 customers and aims to compete with incumbent data clouds like Snowflake by focusing on specific vertical solutions and improved data governance. Financially, Cere has raised $5 million in the current round led by Republic Labs and previously raised another $5 million, bringing total disclosed capital raised to $10 million. Cere Network is developing an enterprise-grade Decentralized Data Cloud (DDC) and CRM tools aimed at returning data ownership to businesses. The company plans to build its CRM and DDC platform on the Polkadot network and make the product available to other applications built on Polkadot. Cere positions the DDC as an alternative to mainstream cloud providers and legacy CRM systems. CEO Fred Jin said the platform “gives businesses back ownership of their data” and enables companies to build their own customer data ecosystems. The startup is Binance-backed and has previously raised a $3.5 million seed round announced in August 2019. It most recently secured an additional $1.5 million to further develop the DDC and related products. Cere Network provides a blockchain CRM ecosystem designed to capture the entire customer journey and enable service data integration and collaboration. It stores key user data such as purchases, achievements and usage in the user’s wallet. Businesses and vendors access Cere’s microservices platform via permissioned proxy keys to secure user data sharing and enable direct user acquisition across apps and brands. The company intends to use the seed proceeds to accelerate growth of its ecosystem. Cere has established a new office in New York City and will launch the Cere Network Innovation Factory in Berlin during Berlin Blockchain Week. The company is led by co-founder and CEO Fred Jin.

Participated · Equity · Nov 2018

BHEX is building a cryptocurrency trading exchange alongside custody and clearing infrastructure, and plans a community‑managed custody/clearing platform using its Bluehelix technology. It is developing a SaaS open platform product called BHOP that leverages its core trading technology. Bluehelix has completed a decentralized cryptographic custody proposal, validated engineering code, and obtained a related technology patent; James Ju has said Bluehelix will be open source once fully developed. The team includes former employees from Huobi and personnel from firms such as Google, Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, Barclays Capital and Société Générale, and BHEX has established offices in Singapore, the US, and the UK. The company was introduced by Beacon Technology and is scheduled to officially launch at the end of November 2018.