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§ Venture Capital · New York City, NY, USA
Early-stage venture capital firm and fund of funds investing in Web3, DeFi, GameFi, Metaverse, and Layer 2 blockchain projects.
Cipholio Ventures is a New York-based early-stage venture capital firm and fund of funds focused on cryptocurrencies, tokens, and blockchain infrastructure. Operating as the investment arm of the BitMart exchange founders, the firm targets startups across Web3, decentralized finance, and the metaverse with check sizes ranging from $100,000 to $5 million. To date, the organization has executed 42 total investments, maintaining 36 active portfolio companies and recording five successful exits. Cipholio Ventures has backed prominent blockchain entities including Mina Protocol, Alchemy Pay, WOO Network, and DAO Maker, while also partnering with industry leaders like Consensys and Avalanche. Recent investment activity includes participating in a $2.5 million seed funding round for an Ethereum payment project and a $2 million launchpad raise alongside Foresight Ventures. The firm was officially founded in 2021 by Eric Bai and Sheldon Xia.
Key people at Cipholio Ventures.
Cipholio Ventures is a New York-based, research-driven investment firm specializing in early-stage investments in cryptocurrencies, tokens, and blockchain projects. Its mission is to facilitate the convergence of people, technology, and capital within the decentralized world, aiming to propel the future of digital assets and blockchain technology. Cipholio focuses on sectors such as Web 3.0, decentralized finance (DeFi), GameFi, Metaverse, and Layer 2 scaling solutions. The firm supports startups that have the potential to disrupt traditional industries through decentralized technologies, contributing significantly to the blockchain startup ecosystem by providing capital, expertise, and a 10-week accelerator program for promising blockchain startups[1][2][4].
Founded in 2021 by Eric Bai, CEO of the blockchain media platform MetaEra, and Sheldon Xia, a founder and CEO of the BitMart exchange, Cipholio Ventures emerged as the investment arm of BitMart’s founders. The firm leverages the founders’ deep expertise and networks in the crypto space to identify and back data-driven project teams. Over time, Cipholio has evolved to not only invest but also incubate startups through its accelerator program and partnerships with industry leaders like Consensys, Avalanche, and Cardano, enhancing its influence and reach in the blockchain ecosystem[1].
Cipholio Ventures rides the wave of the growing adoption of decentralized technologies, particularly in Web 3.0, DeFi, and blockchain gaming/metaverse sectors. The timing is critical as blockchain moves from speculative assets to foundational infrastructure for new digital economies. Market forces such as increasing institutional interest, regulatory clarity, and technological maturation favor Cipholio’s focus areas. By investing early and supporting startups through incubation and partnerships, Cipholio helps shape the broader ecosystem, accelerating innovation and adoption of decentralized finance and blockchain applications[1][2].
Looking ahead, Cipholio Ventures is poised to deepen its influence by expanding its accelerator program and continuing to leverage its network to identify high-potential blockchain startups. Trends such as Layer 2 scaling, cross-chain interoperability, and the metaverse will likely shape its investment focus. As decentralized finance and Web3 technologies mature, Cipholio’s role as a connector and enabler of innovation will grow, potentially positioning it as a leading venture firm in the blockchain space. Its commitment to a decentralized and innovative financial future ties back to its mission of fostering technological and capital convergence in the evolving digital asset landscape[1][4].
Key people at Cipholio Ventures.
Cipholio Ventures has 14 tracked investments across 11 companies. The latest tracked deal is $5.0M Seed in Ava Protocol in June 2024.