#Switzerland #Africa #Web3 #Zug #Lisk EMpower Fund

Lisk Unveils $15 Million EMpower Fund

In a significant move to bolster Web3 innovation, Lisk has launched the Lisk EMpower Fund, a dedicated $15 million venture fund aimed at supporting startups in high-growth emerging markets, specifically targeting regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This fund is designed to back founders who are tackling real-world challenges through cutting-edge technology, marking an important step toward unlocking potential in these rapidly evolving markets.

Bridging the Capital Gap

While established markets may experience a surge of venture capital activity, emerging markets often face a stark contrast. Many promising startups lack sufficient funding and visibility, despite their potential to produce meaningful innovations. Lisk’s EMpower Fund seeks to close this gap by offering not just financial backing but also expertise and resources. According to Gideon Greaves, Head of Investments at Lisk, “Global VCs have become obsessed with speculation. In high-growth markets, founders are solving real problems with real utility, and that’s where the next unicorns will emerge.”

The EMpower Fund is hyper-focused on emerging markets, where the holistic adoption of Web3 technologies is becoming mainstream. In these regions, small and medium-sized businesses struggle to secure funding, which represents a $5.2 trillion opportunity that many VCs overlook. Lisk targets startups that are building solutions in sectors like payments, identity verification, supply chains, and more, ensuring that their investments yield significant returns while supporting vital infrastructure.

Early Recipients of the Fund

Among the first beneficiaries is Lov.cash, a South African digital supply chain platform, as well as Afrikabal, an Agritech platform aimed at sustainable farming practices in Africa. Other notable recipients include IDRX, an Indonesian stablecoin initiative, and SigraFi, focusing on financing small gold producers with an innovative approach to gold-backed loans.

The Future of Web3

Lisk is not just providing capital; it acts almost as a boutique investment bank, delivering hands-on advisory services that guide founders in refining their business narratives and facilitating effective fundraising strategies. This approach is crucial for preparing these ventures for subsequent funding rounds while simultaneously helping innovators translate local issues into scalable international solutions.

As Dominic Schwenter, COO at Lisk, emphasized, “Emerging markets are no longer the future of Web3, they are the present.” This perspective signals a shift in focus towards regions ripe for organic technology adoption, suggesting that the Lisk EMpower Fund could catalyze a new wave of entrepreneurial success in markets often deemed as secondary culture.

Driving Innovation in High-Growth Markets

With the launch of the EMpower Fund, Lisk also underscores the importance of integrating incubation and growth capital into a comprehensive support framework for startups. The fund employs a tokenized structure, making it easier for various investors, including retail participants, to engage in these nascent ventures. By providing access to crucial resources and networks, Lisk’s comprehensive approach allows them to mitigate risks associated with early-stage investments while maximizing growth potential.

Global Impact Through Local Ventures

Through partnerships with local incubators, the Lisk EMpower Fund gains early access to a pre-vetted deal flow, allowing for strategic investments that align with local needs and global aspirations. Eligible companies have the opportunity to receive substantial capital alongside a suite of advisory support ranging from financial modeling to legal structuring.

As Lisk continues to expand its influence and foster a community of innovative leaders, the EMpower Fund represents a vital initiative to empower entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of emerging markets. This proactive support marks a promising chapter in the evolution of Web3, enabling founders to transform challenges into valuable opportunities.

For more information on the Lisk EMpower Fund, visit www.lisk.com/fund or access the media kit for comprehensive details.