• Provable

  Participated · Series B · Feb 2022

  Aleo provides a developer platform for fully private, scalable blockchain applications using zero-knowledge cryptography to move smart contract execution off-chain and enable high-throughput, private transactions. The platform verifies rather than re-executes transactions, which the company says improves scalability and supports complex real-world use cases without centralized servers. Aleo’s technology targets privacy and scalability challenges in blockchain, enabling developers to build decentralized apps for gaming, DeFi, and other applications while protecting user data. The company is preparing for a mainnet launch later this year and plans to use new funding to develop products and services that help developers build an ecosystem on top of its network. Financially, Aleo completed a $200M Series B at a $1.45B valuation, following a $28M Series A in April 2021. The Series B was described as the largest fundraising round in the zero-knowledge industry. Aleo provides a full-stack platform that makes zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) programmable across the application stack so developers can build private-by-default decentralized applications without deep cryptography expertise. The platform combines blockchain architecture and ZK cryptography to enable private interactions, claiming greater scalability than a traditional blockchain. Aleo offers end-to-end developer tools and has launched Developer Preview II ahead of its public network. The company is inviting community participation in a universal setup ceremony this spring and is focused on enabling use cases such as gaming and consumer finance. Aleo raised $28M to support development of its next-generation platform and ecosystem growth. The team includes cryptographers and engineers from companies and universities like Google, Amazon, UC Berkeley, and Johns Hopkins.

• Nebula Brands

  Participated · Series B · Dec 2021

  Nebula Brands is a Beijing-based Amazon aggregator that acquires and operates third-party Fulfillment by Amazon vendors. The company focuses on aggregating FBA sellers and strengthening their operations to scale. Founded only in May, Nebula has already acquired one vendor and is on track to close several more deals by the end of the year. It runs a team of over 50 employees in China with on-the-ground sourcing, underwriting, and operating experience. Financially, Nebula closed a Series B of more than $50 million and has raised roughly $60 million to date. The startup is competing with other roll-ups such as Berlin Brands Group, Razor Group and Thrasio.

• Markai

  Participated · Seed · Dec 2021

  Markai is a startup that acquires small Chinese e-commerce brands and scales them for global consumers using supply-chain and data capabilities. The company combines an on-the-ground supply chain team in China with a U.S.-based data team to drive product and channel decisions. Founders Chenyu Ren and Tim Spencer, both Stanford GSB grads, position the business as a bridge between nimble Chinese manufacturers and global marketplaces. Markai plans to expand beyond China to source brands across Asia and bring them to a global audience. The company has a team of ten and aims to reach fifteen employees by next February. Markai declined to disclose its acquisition progress publicly.

• Forte

  Led · Series B · Nov 2021

  Forte offers an end-to-end platform that lets game publishers integrate blockchain features such as embeddable token wallets, NFT minting/sales, payment rails, and tools for managing digital and virtual assets. The platform emphasizes built-in compliance and security for regulated activity, including money transmittal, anti‑money laundering, tax compliance, and IP protection. Forte highlights customizability and interoperability across multiple blockchains, with pathways to Layer‑1 and Layer‑2 networks and cross‑chain portability. The company is currently invite-only and in private testing, working with 40+ game developer partners and reaching 15M+ players across partner games. Forte positions itself to help publishers transition from initial NFT introduction to long-term in-game economies and player-to-player marketplaces. The team includes industry veterans from Unity, Riot, EA, Sony, Rockstar and others, and the company says its mission is to prepare developers of all sizes for blockchain gaming. Forte offers an end-to-end blockchain economic platform that lets game developers create fungible tokens and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and build scalable token-based game economies. The company is currently invite-only and in private testing and works with 25+ game developer partners. Its platform has enabled 5M+ NFTs minted and reaches 8M+ players across partner games. Forte is engaged with industry veterans and developer projects from creators such as Will Wright and Jeff Tunnell, and previously announced partners include Hi-Rez Studios, Penrose, nWay, and others. The company plans to use new funding to accelerate development of its platform and expand access to developers, players, and fans. The team includes longtime industry members from Unity, ngmoco, Riot Games, Electronic Arts, Sony, and Rockstar Games.

No current team members are available.