Kraken Ventures

Kraken Ventures is a global venture capital fund that strategically invests at the intersection of FinTech and Blockchain/Cryptocurrency industries. The firm is dedicated to fostering the growth of innovative companies that are redefining digital interactions. Their investment focus spans a wide array of areas including decentralized finance (DeFi), enabling technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Regulatory Technology (RegTech), and cybersecurity. They also show interest in B2B infrastructure, Web3, gaming, music, art, e-commerce, mobile payments, developer tools, and digital economies like virtual reality and e-sports.

Launched in February 2021, Kraken Ventures operates as an independent fund, yet it benefits significantly from its strategic partnership with Kraken, one of the world's leading digital currency exchanges. This relationship provides portfolio companies with access to Kraken's extensive resources, industry expertise, and global network, supporting their growth, product development, and overall strategy. The firm successfully raised $65 million for its debut Fund I in December 2021.

Kraken Ventures primarily specializes in Seed and Series A funding rounds, with typical initial investments ranging from $250,000 to $3 million, and often participates in follow-on investments for outperforming companies in Series B and beyond. Notable companies within their portfolio include Blockdaemon, Anchorage, Messari, Hashflow, Acala, pStake, Usual Labs, Fiat Republic, Kiln, Sprinque, Immortal Game, Rivero, Presail, CLST, LimeWire, Deblock, Rails, WalletConnect, 1Money Network, Sphere Labs, Schuman Financial, Cap Labs, Morpho, STAGE, Unite (ex Taki Games), RedStone, Nibiru, and Spherepay. [cite: 1, 2, 10 (from previous search)]

The firm is led by an experienced team with deep roots in the crypto and financial services sectors. Key team members include Brandon Gath as Managing Partner, Akshi Federici as Operating Partner, Laurens de Poorter as Principal and Head of Europe, and Kirill Gourov as Partner. Jesse Powell, co-founder of Kraken, also provides anchor LP support to Kraken Ventures. The team's collective experience allows them to offer hands-on support and strategic guidance to their portfolio companies from inception through various growth phases, aiming to make financial services more open, inclusive, and transparent.