Lisk Unveils $15 Million Venture Fund to Empower Web3 Founders in Emerging Markets
Lisk, a pioneering platform designed for Web3 founders, has recently announced an exciting venture—the launch of the Lisk EMpower Fund. This ambitious initiative focuses on empowering startups within high-growth markets, boasting a substantial budget of $15 million. The fund intends to bridge capital gaps, specifically targeting post-incubation Web3 startups across regions like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia where adoption of blockchain technology is rapidly taking hold.
In the context of venture capital (VC), developed markets often witness a whirlwind of activity with higher valuations. Conversely, the Lisk EMpower initiative shines a spotlight on emerging markets, where stakes are high, and potential is waiting to be tapped. As highlighted by Lisk’s Head of Investments, Gideon Greaves, the focus is on backing founders who tackle genuine challenges with innovative solutions. In contrast to the speculation prevalent in global VCs, Lisk emphasizes the utilitarian aspect of startups who are keen to solve pressing real-world problems.
The EMpower Fund emerges amid a notable trend: a $5.2 trillion opportunity in emerging markets that remains largely untapped. Most VCs overlook these regions, leaving small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) underfunded despite their significant capacity for growth through technology adoption. The reality is that many founders in these areas propel their ventures to Series-A traction without institutional seed capital, showcasing unmatched tenacity and innovation.
Emerging markets have demonstrated superior performance over traditional public benchmarks, boasting annualized venture returns of 9-11% over the last decade or so, according to data from Cambridge Associates. Lisk projects this marks the inception of a transformative bull run in these markets, supported by rapid technological advancement and grassroots adoption. The oversaturation of U.S. seed-stage ventures and the accompanying record-high early-stage valuations present a compelling case for investing in regions where promising companies can be backed at reasonable valuations.
Lisk recognizes this disconnect as both a challenge and an opportunity. The launch of the EMpower Fund addresses a significant gap in current venture capital paradigms by offering more than mere funding; it extends crucial advisory support and Web3 expertise. Lisk strives to become indispensable long-term partners for founders, intertwining local impact with global scalability.
According to Dominic Schwenter, Lisk's COO, the narrative surrounding emerging markets has evolved—they no longer belong to the future but are actively shaping the present landscape of Web3. The EMpower Fund is set to allow world-class founders, who are building their businesses from these vital ecosystems, to secure much-needed capital and holistic support.
Notable early recipients of the fund include innovative firms like Lov.cash, a digital supply chain solution in South Africa; Afrikabal, focused on enhancing agricultural outcomes across the continent; IDRX, a stable cryptocurrency from Indonesia; and SigraFi, which offers financial solutions to small gold producers through blockchain technology.
The structure of the Lisk EMpower Fund integrates various elements, from incubation and assessment to growth capital, creating an end-to-end pipeline designed to amplify successful ventures. Establishing a Web3-native fund specifically dedicated to enhancing infrastructure and applications for payments, identity, and supply chains, the initiative operates with the integral notion of reducing barriers and enhancing accessibility to capital.
This also includes tokenization strategies that simplify LP (limited partner) subscriptions, provide liquidity options, and democratize access to retail LPs who are traditionally sidelined in the venture space. Investing in the foundational digital infrastructure of these emerging economies not only ensures unique venture-scale returns but also contributes towards sustainable development within these regions.
Through strategic collaborations with local incubators, Lisk ensures early access to credible deal flow from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Companies qualifying for the fund stand to receive capital infusions of $250,000 alongside comprehensive strategic support, encompassing everything from financial modeling to legal structuring, all while having the opportunity to connect with Lisk’s extensive global VC network.
Recently, Lisk celebrated its thriving network of founders at the ETHSafari conference, recognized as Africa's preeminent Ethereum event. This gathering not only emphasized the collective potential of local innovators but also the importance of creating ecosystems conducive for Web3 growth.
For more details on the Lisk EMpower Fund and to explore opportunities for collaboration, visit www.lisk.com/fund. Founded in 2016, Lisk champions a founder-first approach, providing essential tools, support, and partnerships to catalyze the development of lasting solutions that can transform regional challenges into remarkable opportunities.
In the context of venture capital (VC), developed markets often witness a whirlwind of activity with higher valuations. Conversely, the Lisk EMpower initiative shines a spotlight on emerging markets, where stakes are high, and potential is waiting to be tapped. As highlighted by Lisk’s Head of Investments, Gideon Greaves, the focus is on backing founders who tackle genuine challenges with innovative solutions. In contrast to the speculation prevalent in global VCs, Lisk emphasizes the utilitarian aspect of startups who are keen to solve pressing real-world problems.
The EMpower Fund emerges amid a notable trend: a $5.2 trillion opportunity in emerging markets that remains largely untapped. Most VCs overlook these regions, leaving small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) underfunded despite their significant capacity for growth through technology adoption. The reality is that many founders in these areas propel their ventures to Series-A traction without institutional seed capital, showcasing unmatched tenacity and innovation.
Emerging markets have demonstrated superior performance over traditional public benchmarks, boasting annualized venture returns of 9-11% over the last decade or so, according to data from Cambridge Associates. Lisk projects this marks the inception of a transformative bull run in these markets, supported by rapid technological advancement and grassroots adoption. The oversaturation of U.S. seed-stage ventures and the accompanying record-high early-stage valuations present a compelling case for investing in regions where promising companies can be backed at reasonable valuations.
Lisk recognizes this disconnect as both a challenge and an opportunity. The launch of the EMpower Fund addresses a significant gap in current venture capital paradigms by offering more than mere funding; it extends crucial advisory support and Web3 expertise. Lisk strives to become indispensable long-term partners for founders, intertwining local impact with global scalability.
According to Dominic Schwenter, Lisk's COO, the narrative surrounding emerging markets has evolved—they no longer belong to the future but are actively shaping the present landscape of Web3. The EMpower Fund is set to allow world-class founders, who are building their businesses from these vital ecosystems, to secure much-needed capital and holistic support.
Notable early recipients of the fund include innovative firms like Lov.cash, a digital supply chain solution in South Africa; Afrikabal, focused on enhancing agricultural outcomes across the continent; IDRX, a stable cryptocurrency from Indonesia; and SigraFi, which offers financial solutions to small gold producers through blockchain technology.
The structure of the Lisk EMpower Fund integrates various elements, from incubation and assessment to growth capital, creating an end-to-end pipeline designed to amplify successful ventures. Establishing a Web3-native fund specifically dedicated to enhancing infrastructure and applications for payments, identity, and supply chains, the initiative operates with the integral notion of reducing barriers and enhancing accessibility to capital.
This also includes tokenization strategies that simplify LP (limited partner) subscriptions, provide liquidity options, and democratize access to retail LPs who are traditionally sidelined in the venture space. Investing in the foundational digital infrastructure of these emerging economies not only ensures unique venture-scale returns but also contributes towards sustainable development within these regions.
Through strategic collaborations with local incubators, Lisk ensures early access to credible deal flow from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Companies qualifying for the fund stand to receive capital infusions of $250,000 alongside comprehensive strategic support, encompassing everything from financial modeling to legal structuring, all while having the opportunity to connect with Lisk’s extensive global VC network.
Recently, Lisk celebrated its thriving network of founders at the ETHSafari conference, recognized as Africa's preeminent Ethereum event. This gathering not only emphasized the collective potential of local innovators but also the importance of creating ecosystems conducive for Web3 growth.
For more details on the Lisk EMpower Fund and to explore opportunities for collaboration, visit www.lisk.com/fund. Founded in 2016, Lisk champions a founder-first approach, providing essential tools, support, and partnerships to catalyze the development of lasting solutions that can transform regional challenges into remarkable opportunities.
Topics Financial Services & Investing）
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