Crypto Fundraising weekly
Dates: 07 – 13, Apr 2024

This week's biggest funding round

Monad raised $225M in a funding round from Paradigm*, Coinbase Ventures, Electric Capital, Greenoaks Capital, Castle Island Ventures, eGirl Capital.

Monad is a new proof-of-stake (PoS) Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible Layer 1 blockchain designed to improve the overall Ethereum ecosystem; and decentralized computation platform. Monad offers throughput that is orders of magnitude higher than any existing smart contract blockchain, supporting 10,000 smart contract transactions per second (tps) through algorithmic improvements to virtual machine design and Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus mechanisms.

Pre-seed and Seed investment rounds

Multisynq raised $2.2M in a Seed funding round from Manifold*, Arkn Ventures, PHD Capital, Enigma Fund, AlphaCrypto Capital, Republic Crypto, Gmoney, NaniXBT, 0xLawliette, Hype.eth.

Multisynq is a decentralized synchronization network enabling individuals to monetize their excess internet bandwidth by selling it to developers for creating unified online experiences. It connects Synqers and Coders, allowing anyone to participate as a Synqer and earn rewards while providing low-latency, perfectly synchronized connectivity for multiplayer games and applications built by Coders on the network.

Mayan raised $3M in a Seed funding round from 6th Man Ventures (6MV)*, Borderless Capital*, Solana Ventures, Hash3, Big Brain Holdings, Arrington Capital, Cogitent Ventures, Syndicate by Boogle, Stakeholder Capital (SHV), Cross-Chain Ecosystem Fund, Anatoly Yakovenko, Saeed Badreg, Tristan Yver, 3nes.

Mayan is a cross-chain swap auction protocol designed to achieve optimal swap rates on Solana using an auction mechanism. Through trustless and permissionless smart contracts, Mayan Swap implements the Mayan protocol, enabling users to participate in transparent and fully on-chain auctions to find the best swap rates. Drivers compete in these auctions to secure the highest swap rate and facilitate seamless token swaps, with relayers ensuring the transmission of messages across different blockchains to enable cross-chain functionality.

Sharpe AI raised undisclosed amount in a Seed funding round from Animoca Brands, Genesis Block Ventures Capital (GBV), Morningstar Ventures, Maven Capital, Metabros, Contango Digital Assets, Ape Terminal, AIT Protocol, Ivan on Tech, Owen ‘Hasheur’ Simonin, Pentoshi, Virtual Bacon.

Sharpe AI is an AI-powered crypto superapp that serves as the frontend for intelligence, tracking, and investing in digital assets. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for DeFi execution, boosted yields, advanced crypto data analytics, and integration with major centralized exchanges, providing users with a holistic solution for managing their crypto investments.

NavyAI raised undisclosed amount in a Seed funding round from AlfaDAO, X ventures, Getmoni.

NavyAI is a blockchain layer dedicated to AI model training and self-learning, offering a cost-efficient solution while mitigating AI bias. Through decentralized GPU resources, users can access virtual AI models and create their own LLM models by providing input prompts, fostering widespread accessibility and unbiased innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.

Sapien raised $5M in a Seed funding round from Primitive, Animoca Brands, Artichoke Capital, Yield Guild Games (YGG).

Sapien specializes in fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) and AI models through expert human feedback and data labeling services. It offers a scalable solution for managing data labeling pipelines, enhancing the performance of AI models with real-time human input. Sapien's services cater to a variety of industries and use cases, ensuring accuracy, scalability, and expertise in the data labeling process to build more performant and differentiated AI models.

Alpen Labs raised $10.6M in a Seed funding round from Ribbit Capital*, Castle Island Ventures, Geometry Research, Village Global, Stillmark, Paxos, Robot Ventures, Axiom, John Pfeffer, Ben Davenport, Waikit Lau, Eric Wall.

Alpen Labs is a financial infrastructure on Bitcoin, utilizing Zero Knowledge (ZK) cryptography to expand global financial access and enhance individual agency. By building a modular rollup layer on Bitcoin, Alpen Labs aims to anchor applications to Bitcoin's secure structure, leveraging its scalability and security features. This initiative not only taps into Bitcoin's native assets but also contributes to an inclusive financial future, underlining the importance of simplicity and trust in high-stakes environments.

Stream Finance raised $1.5M in a Seed funding round from Polychain Capital.

Stream Finance is redefining liquidity provision in DeFi with a focus on capital efficiency, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) for enhanced user yields and growth. The platform offers innovative solutions like non-directional trade vaults, comprehensive loan systems, and liquid staking derivatives, alongside a bond platform for DAOs, all designed to supercharge DeFi adoption through better capital use and integration of TradFi market strategies.

Tomo raised $3.5M in a Seed funding round from Polychain Capital*, ConsenSys, Nomad Capital, Symbolic Capital (ex Hyperedge Capital), OKX Ventures (ex OKEx Blockdream Ventures), HTX Ventures (ex Huobi Ventures), KuCoin Ventures, dao5 (daofive).

Tomo offers a new approach to creator exclusivity and content monetization on its Web3 social platform. It enables engagement with favorite creators through token-gated chat rooms and private feeds, facilitating a closer connection between creators and supporters.

Zoth raised $2.5M in a Seed funding round from Blockchain Founders Fund*, Momentum 6 (M6), YAP Capital, Borderless Capital, Mindfulness Capital, Outlier Ventures, Wormhole, Graviton Fund, Orbit Startups, Decubate, Aztlan Capital.

Zoth offers a financial ecosystem that bridges the gap between lenders and borrowers by providing access to capital through decentralized finance (DeFi). It focuses on bringing real-world assets on-chain, offering high yield opportunities from emerging markets. The platform supports various financial instruments such as invoice factoring, asset leasing, and tokenized bonds, enhancing liquidity and reducing risk through robust risk mitigation strategies and insurance.

OpenTrade raised $3.2M in a Seed funding round from a16z Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX), CMCC Global, Draper Dragon, Ryze Labs, Plassa Capital.

OpenTrade is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol platform offering institutional-grade lending and yield products tailored for fintechs and institutional investors in both Web2 and Web3 ecosystems. It combines technology infrastructure with legal and operational frameworks to support compliant and scalable financial services, including liquidity pools for assets like U.S. Treasury bills and investment-grade commercial paper. OpenTrade's platform, running on Ethereum and Polygon blockchains, facilitates tokenized fixed-income products and enables businesses to access financing from a network of non-bank lenders within existing systems.

Cove Finance raised $3M in a Pre-seed funding round from Electric Capital*, Accomplice Blockchain, Robot Ventures, Daedalus, Richard Ma, Josh Hannah, Anthony Beaumont, Marc Boiron, Scott Sunarto.

Cove Finance simplifies DeFi portfolio management, offering a suite of products to boost earnings without the complexities traditionally involved. Featuring "Boosties" for amplified yield on Yearn vaults and the forthcoming cove PROTOCOL for onchain portfolio management, Cove targets optimal yield generation. Partnering with Yearn and optimized by Gauntlet, it stands as a pioneering onchain portfolio manager for DeFi enthusiasts seeking streamlined investment strategies.

Other investment rounds

Black Panther raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Taureon, DojoSwap, Vessel Capital, NxGen, CSP DAO, Kahuna Ventures, Jin Kang, Swiss Founders Fund (SFF).

Black Panther is an AI-driven asset management protocol operating on the Injective platform. Through intelligent vaults and automated trading strategies, users can deposit funds to achieve returns, with features such as professional management, trading analytics, and withdrawal options. Additionally, its native BLACK tokens play pivotal roles in governance, staking rewards, and incentive programs within the ecosystem, enhancing user engagement and participation.

Uplink raised $10M in a  funding round from Framework Ventures*, Blockchange Ventures, Stratos Technologies, Outlier Ventures, NxGen, MSM Fund (Mustard Seed Maze).

Uplink is a decentralized network infrastructure aiming to democratize internet access, providing better distributed and user-operated connectivity. Users and businesses can participate as Providers, installing compatible hardware to contribute to the network and earn tokens, ultimately enhancing coverage and uptime for entire communities while profiting directly from its usage.

BounceBit raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Binance Labs Fund.

BounceBit is a Bitcoin restaking protocol and the native BTC restaking chain, developed as the sister company of Bounce Finance. Featuring a dual-token staking system secured by both Bitcoin and BounceBit tokens, it introduces a unique blend of DeFi and CeFi yield mechanisms, enabling BTC holders to earn yields through native validator staking, DeFi ecosystems, and a CeFi mirroring mechanism.

Azuro raised $3.5M in a  funding round from SevenX Ventures, Fenbushi Capital, Arrington Capital, Polymorphic Capital, Red Beard Ventures, Dewhales Capital, G1 Ventures.

Azuro is an infrastructure and liquidity solution designed for EVM chains, enabling the hosting of powerful prediction, betting, and gaming applications. It includes a suite of upgradable smart contracts forming the Azuro Protocol, web components for easy application development, and a governance system known as Azuro DAO, all facilitating permissionless creation and management of prediction applications and products on EVM-compatible blockchains.

Jigsaw raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Tempo, Manifold, Rarestone Capital, Space Whale Capital, Duplicate Capital, Pastel Alpha, Perridon Ventures, Digits Ventures, DCDAO.

Jigsaw is an ecosystem focused on enhancing online income opportunities through strategic partnerships with prominent Real World Asset (RWA) platforms, aiming to amplify on-chain yield.

GPU.Net raised $5.3M in a Series A  funding round from Momentum 6 (M6), Spicy Capital, Exnetwork Capital, Black Dragon, Alex Becker, EllioTrades, Zephyrus Capital, Crypto Banter, Halvings Capital.

GPU.Net is a decentralized graphics processing unit (GPU) on-demand infrastructure that powers the next generation of generative AI, Web3 metaverses, high-end graphics rendering, and cryptocurrency mining. It aims to evolve into a Generative Processing Unit, initially supporting versatile GPU tasks like 3D, AI, and research. Ultimately, it will transform into a fully decentralized General Purpose Unit Network, facilitating exchange between GPU Providers and Consumers.

Auradine raised $80M in a Series B  funding round from StepStone Group, MVP Ventures, Celesta Capital, Mayfield, Marathon Digital Holdings.

Auradine is a tech startup focused on developing next-generation web infrastructure aims to create scalable, sustainable, and secure solutions for the future of internet infrastructure. Leveraging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and zero-knowledge proofs, Auradine is poised to make a significant impact on decentralized applications and contribute to the transformation of the global economy.

Sortium (CosmoGene) raised $4M in a  funding round from Signum Growth Capital*, ARK Invest, IDG Capital, Infinity Ventures Crypto (IVC), P2 Ventures (Polygon Ventures).

CosmoGene is a play-to-earn game by an entertainment tech company combining AI and Web3 Sortium. It will let players create unique virtual genetic experiments generated from AI-backed synthetic DNA. The game learns and adapts to the player, which in turn grows the environment.

Bored Slot raised $10M in a  funding round from Plutus VC, LD Capital.

Bored Slot, a project by Spin City, is a Web3 slots gaming venture that pioneers the fusion of traditional slot gaming with blockchain technology. Powered by the $SPC token, Bored Slot introduces a play-and-mine platform where every spin offers the chance to earn digital rewards, integrating NFTs from renowned collections to create a unique gaming experience.

Mezo raised $21M in a Series A  funding round from Pantera Capital*, Multicoin Capital, Hack VC, Draper Associates, ParaFi Capital, Nascent, Primitive, Asymmetric fund, DCF God.

Mezo is a Bitcoin-native chain where users can utilize their Bitcoin holdings to cultivate wealth collectively. It offers real utility and honest yield for Bitcoin holders, fostering a thriving economy through features like user asset ownership, EVM compatibility secured by Bitcoin, reliable bridging with tBTC, and a dual staking model for rewards and validation.

LILLIUS raised $2.2M in a Private  funding round from GSR Markets LTD, GBIC (Global Blockchain Innovative Capital), Cronos Labs, Presto Labs, VistaLabs, Neopin, NuriFlex.

LILLIUS is a Web3 sports challenge platform that motivates individuals to train anywhere, anytime, offering personalized routines and real-time feedback through cutting-edge AI motion detection technology. By gamifying sports training experiences and offering rewards, Lillius inspires users to lead healthier and more active lifestyles, supported by NFT collections and a global community focused on personal growth and well-being.

Summoners Arena (SA World) raised $1M in a Public sale  funding round from .

Summoners Arena is an innovative idle-RPG game built on Binance Smart Chain, integrating DeFi and NFT with a focus on an economy-driven format. SA World is a Web3 gaming platform boasting scalable and interoperable infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration with emerging technologies and gaming experiences. Anchored by the $SAE token, it fosters a universal gaming network, championing content creation, sustainable ecosystems, and innovation within the Web3 gaming sphere. Additionally, SA World offers developers an integration process through its developer portal and utilizes NFT-driven frameworks for long-term sustainability, while user contributions are rewarded through the Active Point (AP) System.

KIKI World raised $7M in a  funding round from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z crypto), Estée Lauder New Incubation Ventures (NIV), Orange DAO, 2 Punks Capital, Advancit Capital, Red Dao, Double Down, Gmoney.

KIKI World is the first beauty platform that empowers users to actively participate in product development. It allows users to vote on their favorite beauty products, earn daily rewards, and become co-creators. The platform fosters a collaborative environment where users influence the beauty products brought to market. By engaging with favorite creators, KIKI World is crafting unique, user-driven beauty items, making beauty creation inclusive and interactive.

Ritual raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Polychain Capital.

Ritual is a decentralized AI compute platform with a mission to decentralize access to AI infrastructure and empower a wider range of participants. They aim to create an incentivized network that connects distributed computing devices for hosting, sharing, inference, fine-tuning AI models, and ensuring privacy and censorship resistance.

Lumoz (ex Opside) raised $6M in a Series A  funding round from OKX Ventures (ex OKEx Blockdream Ventures), Hashkey Capital, KuCoin Ventures, Comma3 Ventures, Kronos Research, Kernel Ventures, Sandeep Nailwal.

Lumoz is a Modular Compute Layer and ZK-RaaS platform that utilizes a PoW mining mechanism to provide ZKP arithmetic for ZK-Rollup. By integrating a hybrid consensus mechanism of PoS and PoW, Lumoz offers a streamlined solution for Web3 developers, enabling the generation of zkEVM application chains with a single click. Its innovative approach simplifies ZK-Rollup usage and promotes wider adoption, while also providing miners with a beneficial environment for participating in zkEVM maintenance and ZKP calculation across multiple public chains.

Eesee raised $100K in a Public sale  funding round from .

Eesee is an innovative gamified marketplace. It stands out with its unique raffle system, enabling sellers to creatively sell digital assets and reduce buy-side friction. The platform is tailored for digital assets, tokens, and real-world assets (RWAs). It allows sellers to create customized gamified drops, like decentralized on-chain raffles, and offers buyers action-based entry opportunities, aligning with the ethos of the crypto industry.

Yield Guild Games raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Newman Capital.

Yield Guild Games is a decentralized gaming guild that invests in NFTs found in blockchain-based games and virtual world economies.

* fund, that lead investment round