Connect with us

Politics

Top VCs to meet at ETHDenver 2023

Published

on

Top VCs to meet at ETHDenver 2023


As the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency continues to grow and evolve, it is important for entrepreneurs and developers to stay on top of the latest trends and opportunities in the industry. EthDenver 2023 is bringing together some of the brightest minds and most innovative companies in the space.

If you are planning to attend EthDenver and are interested in meeting with top VC funds, join us at OnePiece Labs’ afterparty on March 1st!

Besides us, here are some that should definitely be on your list: 

  1. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Crypto
    a16z is a top-tier venture capital firm that has invested in some of the most successful startups in the world. Their crypto division, a16z Crypto, was founded in 2020 and has raised $7.6 billion in total with a recent addition of $4.5 billion to its fourth fund.
  2. 1kx Network
    Founded in 2017, 1kx Network is a token angel fund with the thesis of extrapolating Bitcoin’s success to embed cryptoeconomic incentives into everything; transactions, computation, storage, prediction, power. Their portfolio includes some of the most innovative and promising projects in the blockchain space, such as The Sandbox, and Matter Labs.
  3. Pantera Capital
    Pantera Capital is one of the oldest and most well-respected blockchain-focused VC funds in the industry. They have invested in over 100 blockchain projects, including some of the most successful ones like Coinbase, BitGo, and Polkadot.
  4. CoinFund
    CoinFund is a blockchain-focused VC fund that invests in decentralized protocols, blockchain-based applications, and cryptocurrency infrastructure. They have a broad portfolio that includes projects like Blockdaemon, Dapper, and Polkadot. They launched a $300M Web3 fund in Aug, 2022. Sectors of interest for the early-stage fund include layer 1 blockchains, gaming and NFTs. With check sizes ranging from $6 to $10M, the fund will likely back 30 to 40 companies.
  5. Dao5
    Dao5 is a $125 million fund led by Tekin Salimi, who is a former General Partner from Polychain Capital. Salimi’s vision for Dao5 is to become a fully founder-owned DAO by 2025. Dao5’s advisory board include Emin Gün Sirer — founder of the Avalanche protocol, Do Kwon — founder of the Luna protocol, Ben Fisch — professor of computer science at Yale University, Ivan Soto-Wright – Founder of Moonpay.
  6. Galaxy Ventures
    Galaxy ventures is a diversified financial services and investment management company focused on digital assets and blockchain technology. Their portfolio include protocol, scaling solutions, DeFi, and Web3 infrastructure with notable investments like Fireblocks and Polygon. Apart from its venture division, Galaxy also provides trading, mining, asset management, and advisory services. Galaxy partners with Bloomberg to calculate weighted crypto indexes.
  7. Matrixport Ventures
    Matrixport Ventures is a financial services platform that provides a range of services for individuals and institutions in the blockchain space. They have a venture arm that invests in early-stage projects that are building the next generation of decentralized financial services.
  8. NGC Ventures
    Led by founding partner Roger Lim, NGC Ventures has their portfolio spanned from top L1 chains such as Algorand, Avalanche, Solana, and Polkadot to Defi, infra, and metaverse companies with a global presence. They closed their third blockchain fund at $100 million last year to extend its focus into GameFi and NFTs.
  9. Outlier Ventures
    Outlier Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in startups that are building the future of the decentralized web. They have a strong focus on Web 3.0, DeFi, and NFTs with a portfolio of over 100 Web3 companies. They have recently partnered with Aptos Foundation to launch the Move Accelerator in May 2023.
  10. Variant fund
    Variant fund backs mission-aligned founders at the earliest possible stage. They have a focus on interoperability, privacy, and scalability, and have invested in projects like Uniswap and Aptos. Jesse Walden, Co-Founder and General Partner at Variant, was an investment partner on the first crypto fund at Andreessen Horowitz and later led a16z Crypto Startup School.
  11. Two Sigma Ventures
    With a portfolio across all industries, Two Sigma Ventures has invested in several promising Web3 projects with successful exits. Its data-driven approach, deep industry expertise, collaborative approach, and long-term investment horizon make it a strong choice for entrepreneurs and investors looking to engage with the rapidly evolving Web3 industry.

This list is not the most exhaustive one, but would be a great starting point to get to know some key players at ETHDenver.  

Politics

Fintech Kennek raises $12.5M seed round to digitize lending

Published

on

Google eyed for $2 billion Anthropic deal after major Amazon play


London-based fintech startup Kennek has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to expand its lending operating system.

According to an Oct. 10 tech.eu report, the round was led by HV Capital and included participation from Dutch Founders Fund, AlbionVC, FFVC, Plug & Play Ventures, and Syndicate One. Kennek offers software-as-a-service tools to help non-bank lenders streamline their operations using open banking, open finance, and payments.

The platform aims to automate time-consuming manual tasks and consolidate fragmented data to simplify lending. Xavier De Pauw, founder of Kennek said:

“Until kennek, lenders had to devote countless hours to menial operational tasks and deal with jumbled and hard-coded data – which makes every other part of lending a headache. As former lenders ourselves, we lived and breathed these frustrations, and built kennek to make them a thing of the past.”

The company said the latest funding round was oversubscribed and closed quickly despite the challenging fundraising environment. The new capital will be used to expand Kennek’s engineering team and strengthen its market position in the UK while exploring expansion into other European markets. Barbod Namini, Partner at lead investor HV Capital, commented on the investment:

“Kennek has developed an ambitious and genuinely unique proposition which we think can be the foundation of the entire alternative lending space. […] It is a complicated market and a solution that brings together all information and stakeholders onto a single platform is highly compelling for both lenders & the ecosystem as a whole.”

The fintech lending space has grown rapidly in recent years, but many lenders still rely on legacy systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. Kennek aims to leverage open banking and data integration to provide lenders with a more streamlined, automated lending experience.

The seed funding will allow the London-based startup to continue developing its platform and expanding its team to meet demand from non-bank lenders looking to digitize operations. Kennek’s focus on the UK and Europe also comes amid rising adoption of open banking and open finance in the regions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo from Kennek.io; Thank you!

Radek Zielinski

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

Continue Reading

Politics

Fortune 500’s race for generative AI breakthroughs

Published

on

Deanna Ritchie


As excitement around generative AI grows, Fortune 500 companies, including Goldman Sachs, are carefully examining the possible applications of this technology. A recent survey of U.S. executives indicated that 60% believe generative AI will substantially impact their businesses in the long term. However, they anticipate a one to two-year timeframe before implementing their initial solutions. This optimism stems from the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of businesses, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes. In the short term, companies will likely focus on pilot projects and experimentation, gradually integrating generative AI into their operations as they witness its positive influence on efficiency and profitability.

Goldman Sachs’ Cautious Approach to Implementing Generative AI

In a recent interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti revealed that the firm has not yet implemented any generative AI use cases. Instead, the company focuses on experimentation and setting high standards before adopting the technology. Argenti recognized the desire for outcomes in areas like developer and operational efficiency but emphasized ensuring precision before putting experimental AI use cases into production.

According to Argenti, striking the right balance between driving innovation and maintaining accuracy is crucial for successfully integrating generative AI within the firm. Goldman Sachs intends to continue exploring this emerging technology’s potential benefits and applications while diligently assessing risks to ensure it meets the company’s stringent quality standards.

One possible application for Goldman Sachs is in software development, where the company has observed a 20-40% productivity increase during its trials. The goal is for 1,000 developers to utilize generative AI tools by year’s end. However, Argenti emphasized that a well-defined expectation of return on investment is necessary before fully integrating generative AI into production.

To achieve this, the company plans to implement a systematic and strategic approach to adopting generative AI, ensuring that it complements and enhances the skills of its developers. Additionally, Goldman Sachs intends to evaluate the long-term impact of generative AI on their software development processes and the overall quality of the applications being developed.

Goldman Sachs’ approach to AI implementation goes beyond merely executing models. The firm has created a platform encompassing technical, legal, and compliance assessments to filter out improper content and keep track of all interactions. This comprehensive system ensures seamless integration of artificial intelligence in operations while adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining client confidentiality. Moreover, the platform continuously improves and adapts its algorithms, allowing Goldman Sachs to stay at the forefront of technology and offer its clients the most efficient and secure services.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

Continue Reading

Politics

UK seizes web3 opportunity simplifying crypto regulations

Published

on

Deanna Ritchie


As Web3 companies increasingly consider leaving the United States due to regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom must simplify its cryptocurrency regulations to attract these businesses. The conservative think tank Policy Exchange recently released a report detailing ten suggestions for improving Web3 regulation in the country. Among the recommendations are reducing liability for token holders in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and encouraging the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to adopt alternative Know Your Customer (KYC) methodologies, such as digital identities and blockchain analytics tools. These suggestions aim to position the UK as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract blockchain-based businesses looking for a more conducive regulatory environment.

Streamlining Cryptocurrency Regulations for Innovation

To make it easier for emerging Web3 companies to navigate existing legal frameworks and contribute to the UK’s digital economy growth, the government must streamline cryptocurrency regulations and adopt forward-looking approaches. By making the regulatory landscape clear and straightforward, the UK can create an environment that fosters innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the global fintech industry.

The Policy Exchange report also recommends not weakening self-hosted wallets or treating proof-of-stake (PoS) services as financial services. This approach aims to protect the fundamental principles of decentralization and user autonomy while strongly emphasizing security and regulatory compliance. By doing so, the UK can nurture an environment that encourages innovation and the continued growth of blockchain technology.

Despite recent strict measures by UK authorities, such as His Majesty’s Treasury and the FCA, toward the digital assets sector, the proposed changes in the Policy Exchange report strive to make the UK a more attractive location for Web3 enterprises. By adopting these suggestions, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency industries while ensuring a robust and transparent regulatory environment.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency regulations in various countries has prompted Web3 companies to explore alternative jurisdictions with more precise legal frameworks. As the United States grapples with regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom can position itself as a hub for Web3 innovation by simplifying and streamlining its cryptocurrency regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Borba; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2021 Seminole Press.