• HEMI

  Participated · Equity · Sep 2024

  Hemi is a modular blockchain network built on Bitcoin and Ethereum designed to deliver superior scaling, security, and interoperability. Its core product offerings include the Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM), which integrates a full Bitcoin node within an EVM to let developers build smart contracts that work with both chains while remaining backwards-compatible with existing EVM dApps and wallets. The Hemi Bitcoin Kit (hBK) unlocks direct smart-contract access to granular Bitcoin state, enabling Bitcoin-native applications such as staking, lending markets, and MEV marketplaces. Other foundational features include Superfinality (a Proof-of-Proof consensus inheriting Bitcoin’s security), trustless cross-chain Tunnels for secure asset portability, and on-chain asset programmability (time-locks, routing, password protection, and gasless transfers). Hemi’s incentivized testnet is live and the team targets a mainnet launch in Q4 2024; the company announced a $15 million founding investment round to support development and launch. Hemi Labs was co-founded by early Bitcoin developer Jeff Garzik and blockchain security pioneer Max Sanchez and announced the round from Chicago.

• KNN3 Network

  Participated · Seed · Sep 2022

  KNN3 builds permissionless (decentralized) graph databases and tools that help developers draw insight from cross-blockchain relational user data, such as relationships, status and memberships. The company is starting by targeting consumer-facing dApps in Asia and counts Mask Network as a customer. In the U.S. it plans to pursue enterprise-facing organizations like Chainlink and is weighing a cloud-services product built on top of Chainlink oracles. KNN3 says that product would let developers build and run decentralized apps without managing the fundamental data layer. The startup currently employs a team of 24 across Singapore, China, Europe and the U.S., and with the new funding plans to attract more tech talent from Silicon Valley. KNN3 positions itself against players like Nansen, Alchemy and The Graph by focusing on decentralized, cross-chain relational data for developers.

• Aura Network

  Participated · Seed · Apr 2022

  Aura Network is an ecosystem and NFT-centric layer-1 focused on accelerating global NFT adoption, building an "Internet of NFTs" and bringing NFT and Web3 to the masses. The project emphasizes support for NFTs, gaming, and sustainable DeFi and is positioned as a high-performance, developer- and user-facing chain. Aura is preparing for a Mainnet launch in Q1 2023 and its development team is building several new products with a 2023 roadmap to be announced. The company says the recently raised funds will be used for ecosystem expansion and to increase the number of global Web3 projects and products built within its ecosystem. Aura has formed strategic advisory relationships (including Republic Crypto) and says investor partners will advise on operations, product and business development, and marketing. The company is operating out of Hanoi, Vietnam. Aura Network is an NFT-dedicated layer-1 blockchain on the Cosmos ecosystem that aims to accelerate global NFT adoption by building interoperable infrastructure. It provides an open system designed to maximize NFT interoperability and integrate NFTs into the metaverse. The project is positioned as a solution to mass-adoption challenges by simplifying NFT access for non-crypto natives and expanding use cases for brands and general audiences. Aura intends to release its Testnet at the end of Q2 2022 and its Mainnet in Q3 2022. The founding team includes Tran Hoang Giang, FPT Software’s COO Tran Dang Hoa, and former Masan Group CIO Steve Nguyen. The company raised a USD 2.5M seed round to fund development, interoperability work, and community building.

• LEWK

  Led · Seed · Jan 2022

  LEWK is a blockchain-powered SocialFi content monetization platform that enables creators to monetize content without leaving their preferred social media platforms. The platform positions itself as a one-stop-shop for brands, publishers, creators, and fans and offers features intended to boost user experience and incentives on existing social platforms. Founded by a team of experts in blockchain, social media, and fintech, LEWK emphasizes usability to avoid the complexity that has hindered prior blockchain-social products. LEWK's tokenomics include a total supply of 1 billion tokens and a fully diluted valuation of $36 million following the seed and private rounds. The company closed $3.26M in seed and private funding, with the seed reportedly completed in three hours, and is preparing a public sale expected in March 2022. LEWK is finalizing public-sale details with partners while continuing product development and investor outreach from its Dubai, UAE base.

• Starbots

  Participated · Equity · Jan 2022

  Starbots is a Road Town, BVI–based developer of a robot battle NFT game built on the Solana blockchain. Led by CEO Kien Vuong, the game lets players strategically assemble robots to win battles, complete missions, and conquer new lands. The auto-battle gameplay allows users to constantly grind for new robot parts and swap them into matches rather than leaving them idle or trading them on the marketplace. Combat outcomes are intentionally unpredictable and presented with cartoonish action; the game draws inspiration from BattleBots. Starbots also maintains an advisory board that includes Bored Elon (founder of MetaMars), Calvin Chu (core builder at Impossible Finance), William Robinson (core Contributor of DeFi Alliance), and Long Vuong (founder of TomoChain). The company raised $2.4M in funding and intends to use the proceeds to accelerate growth, expand operations, and broaden its business reach.

No current team members are available.