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§ Private Profile · 440 N Wolfe Rd 126, Sunnyvale, California, 94085, United States
Startup building personal AI edge computing solutions and decentralized applications for data sovereignty using blockchain.
Based in Cupertino, California, Fog Works, Inc. develops personal artificial intelligence edge computing solutions and decentralized data storage networks powered by blockchain technology. The enterprise provides both hardware and software applications that enable users to run AI assistants locally on their devices while maintaining complete data sovereignty. By utilizing Web3 infrastructure, the platform allows individuals and corporate entities to control their digital assets and backup storage without relying on traditional centralized cloud services. To support its ongoing development in the decentralized data management sector, the startup has secured $3 million in pre-seed funding and filed two technology patents. Fog Works is financially backed by a syndicate of prominent venture capital investors that includes Draper Dragon, Lingfeng Capital, and OKX Ventures. Formerly known as W3 Storage Lab, the organization was founded in 2022 by chief executive officer Xinglu Lin.
Fog Works, Inc. has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round.
Fog Works, Inc. has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Fog Works, Inc. has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Seed in August 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2022 | $3M Seed | Draper Dragon, OKX Ventures | Lingfeng Capital | Announced |
Fog Works, Inc. is a Web3 technology company specializing in personal AI edge computing solutions powered by data-sovereign DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). It develops software and hardware, including decentralized storage devices like Foggie Max (the world's first DePIN server) and Foggie Pi (a privacy-focused AI edge device), enabling users to run AI assistants locally, control their data, back it up decentralized, integrate IoT devices, mint NFTs, accelerate IPFS content, and earn rewards in $DMC or FIL tokens[1][2][3]. The company serves individuals and entities seeking data sovereignty, privacy, and monetization in Web3, solving centralized data vulnerabilities by providing complete user control over personal data and applications amid rising AI and privacy concerns[1][2][3]. Founded in 2022 (formerly W3 Storage Lab), it has raised $3M in pre-seed funding from investors like Draper Dragon, Lingfeng Capital, and OKX Ventures, earning recognition as a top 15 U.S. data storage startup in 2023 and endorsements from OKX in 2024[1][2].
Fog Works was founded in 2022 in Cupertino, California (with headquarters also noted in Sunnyvale), initially as W3 Storage Lab, by a team blending expertise in P2P networking, blockchain, and entrepreneurship[1][3][4]. CEO and Co-Founder Xinglu Lin brings experience from DoNews, 265.com, P.cn, and tech firms in Beijing and Shenzhen; COO Victor Chen served as CTO at UNISPLENDOR, CEO of Santa Clara Tech Co., and IBM Networking rep in China; Chief Engineer Zhicong Liu founded Bucky Cloud and led at Xunlei Co. and a National Key Laboratory for Big Data; Chief Architect William Entriken co-authored ERC-7585 and ERC-721 standards; and Felicia Deng has invested in startups with a Sun Microsystems background[3]. The idea emerged from addressing data privacy in Web3, evolving into DePIN hardware like Foggie Max and partnerships such as migrating Web2 data with the San Francisco Photography Association, marking early traction with awards like Pitch Dojo Winner and Audience Favorite from OnePiece Labs and others[2][3].
Fog Works stands out in the decentralized storage and AI edge computing space through:
Fog Works rides the DePIN and AI edge computing wave, capitalizing on surging demand for decentralized infrastructure amid Web3 adoption and AI privacy backlash against Big Tech data monopolies[1][2][3]. Timing is ideal post-2022 crypto winter, with 2023-2025 growth in Filecoin ecosystems, NVIDIA's AI hardware boom (e.g., GTC 2025 launch), and regulatory pushes for data sovereignty like GDPR expansions[1][2]. Market forces favoring it include exploding DePIN TVL (total value locked), IPFS/IPNI acceleration needs, and IoT data deluge, positioning Fog Works to democratize storage via consumer-grade hardware that rivals hyperscalers while enabling monetization[2]. It influences the ecosystem by onboarding Web2 users (e.g., photography partnerships), fostering DePIN apps, and bridging AI with blockchain, accelerating mainstream Web3 as one of OKX's fast-growing portfolios[1][2].
Fog Works is primed for explosive growth by scaling its Foggie series into mass-market AI privacy hubs, potentially capturing DePIN market share as edge AI hardware proliferates. Trends like on-device LLMs, zero-knowledge proofs for data, and DePIN tokenomics (e.g., $DMC expansions) will propel it, with VC backing enabling Series A and global hardware ramps. Its influence may evolve from storage innovator to AI-Web3 platform leader, challenging centralized giants and empowering user-owned data economies—reinforcing its core mission to deliver autonomy in an AI-dominated world[1][2][3].
Fog Works, Inc. has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Fog Works, Inc.'s investors include Draper Dragon, OKX Ventures, Lingfeng Capital.