Loading organizations...
Key people at dlab.
Based in Newton, Massachusetts, dlab operates as an early-stage venture capital firm and startup accelerator focused on Web3, decentralization, and blockchain technology infrastructure. The firm manages Dlab Fund I, which officially opened in September 2023, and operates a specialized accelerator program that provides $200,000 in seed funding to participating pre-seed and seed-stage projects. The entity originally functioned as an internal investment program within the global venture capital firm SOSV before spinning out as an independent fund, with SOSV remaining involved as its anchor limited partner. Its active investment portfolio features various decentralized finance and cross-chain interoperability startups, including recognizable industry names such as the decentralized exchange Contango and the blockchain network Composable Finance. The organization initially originated in 2018 and was established as a standalone entity in 2023 by founding general partners Shawn Broderick and Nick Plante.
DLAB is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in startups within the web3, blockchain, decentralization, and cryptocurrency sectors. Its mission is to accelerate decentralization by supporting innovative projects that create more open, transparent, and participatory systems using decentralized technologies. DLAB provides pre-seed to later-stage funding, typically up to $250K, alongside hands-on support including mentorship, product design, UX, business development, and fundraising strategy. The firm serves early-stage founders globally, aiming to help them develop and scale disruptive technologies that can have lasting impact on the blockchain ecosystem[1][2][4].
Founded in 2018, DLAB was established to provide capital and resources to startups advancing blockchain and decentralization technologies. The firm is based in New York and led by key partners including General Partner Shawn Broderick, who brings experience from multiple tech ventures and investment roles. Over time, DLAB has evolved from a program offering pre-seed funding and mentorship to becoming an independent fund (starting 2024) with fresh capital dedicated to supporting the next generation of web3 and crypto startups[1][3][4].
DLAB rides the wave of the decentralization and web3 trend, which is reshaping how data, finance, and digital interactions are managed by shifting control from centralized entities to distributed networks. The timing is critical as blockchain technology matures, regulatory clarity improves, and demand for transparent, secure, and user-empowered systems grows. DLAB influences the ecosystem by funding and mentoring early-stage projects that push the boundaries of decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized applications (dApps), and blockchain infrastructure, thus fostering innovation and adoption in the broader digital economy[1][2][4].
Looking ahead, DLAB’s transition to an independent fund with fresh capital positions it to deepen its impact in the rapidly evolving web3 space. Trends such as zero-knowledge proofs, programmable collateral, decentralized physical infrastructure, and social finance platforms are likely to shape its portfolio and influence. As the blockchain ecosystem expands, DLAB’s role as an early-stage enabler and ecosystem builder will likely grow, helping founders navigate technical and market challenges while accelerating the decentralization movement globally[4].
This forward momentum ties back to DLAB’s core mission of accelerating decentralization by empowering visionary founders to build the foundational technologies of the future.
Key people at dlab.
dlab has 10 tracked investments across 7 companies. The latest tracked deal is $4.5M Seed in Credit Coop in August 2025.
