Paper Ventures Launches $25 Million Blockchain Venture Capital Fund
Danish Chaudhry, Oliver Blakey, and Ivailo Jordanov establish Paper Ventures to support early-stage blockchain projects.
In a surprising move within the blockchain venture capital space, Paper Ventures has recently announced the launch of a $25 million fund to invest in early-stage blockchain startups. Founded by Danish Chaudhry, Oliver Blakey, and Ivailo Jordanov, Paper Ventures aims to make a lasting impact on the industry by providing not only capital but also resources and connections to foster the success of promising projects. With their extensive experience in Web3 investments, the founders are strategically entering the market at a time when the initial hype around blockchain and cryptocurrency has subsided.
A Strategic Focus on Early-Stage Projects
The founders of Paper Ventures have deliberately capped their fund at $25 million, demonstrating their strategic focus on early-stage projects. By concentrating their efforts on these nascent ventures, they believe they can provide maximum value and actively nurture their growth. The goal is not just to inject capital but also to leverage their industry experience and networks to support the identified projects.
Leveraging Experience and Networks for Success
Paper Ventures intends to leverage the broad industry experience and networks of its founders to provide portfolio projects with the necessary resources and connections for success. The $25 million fund was raised through the participation of traditional hedge funds, family offices, exchanges, founders, and other high-net-worth individuals with extensive experience in the crypto space. This diverse range of investors reflects the confidence in Paper Ventures’ ability to identify and support promising blockchain startups.
Backing Dominant Projects and Exploring GameFi
The founders of Paper Ventures have a track record of being early backers of now-dominant projects such as Frax Finance, SEI, Polygon, Injective, Polkadot, Moonbeam, and Cosmos. Their portfolio also extends to gameFi projects like Merit Circle/Beam, Illuvium, and YGG. While they are investing in games, they emphasize that their focus is not limited to a single sector. They are actively seeking preseed opportunities across various industries, aiming to capture asymmetric opportunities and generate strong returns while propelling the industry forward.
Filling the Gap in Preseed Funding
The founders of Paper Ventures recognize that there is a gap in the market for preseed funding, particularly for founders who are just starting out. Many existing funds are too large and focused on realizing returns from previous investments, making it challenging for early-stage entrepreneurs to secure the support they need. Paper Ventures aims to fill this gap by prioritizing founder-first investments and providing assistance in building businesses from the outset. Their unique approach sets them apart in an industry that has seen significant investment but lacks sufficient support for seed-stage startups.
Conclusion:
With the launch of their $25 million venture capital fund, Paper Ventures aims to make a lasting impact on the blockchain industry by supporting early-stage projects. By leveraging their extensive experience and networks, the founders intend to provide not only capital but also the necessary resources and connections for success. Their strategic focus on early-stage ventures and commitment to founder-first investments position Paper Ventures as a valuable player in the ever-evolving blockchain landscape. As the industry continues to mature, the fund’s efforts to fill the gap in preseed funding will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and innovation of the blockchain ecosystem.