Click to watchLisk, a Swiss blockchain platform founded in 2016, has unveiled a $15 million (₦22.1 billion) fund to invest in Web3 founders across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The fund marks Lisk’s first direct capital deployment into startups, building on its previous work in funding incubation programs and grants globally.
The strategic fund is designed to bridge a significant funding gap in emerging markets. Traditionally, venture capital has overlooked tech startups that solve real-world problems. According to Gideon Greaves, Head of Investments at Lisk, these ecosystems present a $5.2 trillion opportunity. As a result, founders in these regions are building high-utility solutions with the potential to become the next generation of unicorns.
“Our focus is on founders addressing real problems with real utility, not speculation. We believe the next unicorns will emerge from high-growth markets like Africa, where adoption is being driven by necessity,” said Greaves.
Lisk’s ticket sizes will start at $250,000 (₦366 million) for the first cheques. In addition, follow-on investments can reach up to $500,000 (₦732 million), with total exposure capped at $750,000 (₦1 billion) per startup. About 30% of the fund is reserved for follow-on rounds.
The company will initially prioritise Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. However, it will also explore opportunities in Ghana, Egypt, and other African markets. Outside Africa, the fund will target Argentina, Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Click to viewThe fund’s tokenised structure sets it apart. Specifically, it digitises the investor onboarding process and provides liquidity to investors. Through tokenisation, investors will hold digital tokens that represent direct shares in the fund. These tokens can be resold after two years. Consequently, one of the riskiest asset classes becomes more accessible and flexible.
Beyond capital, Lisk plans to support startups with advisory and fundraising preparation. Furthermore, it will connect founders to later-stage institutional investors in developed markets. The firm avoids taking early board seats to prevent slowing down founders. Instead, it focuses on empowering them to reach hypergrowth.
Lisk is particularly interested in Web3 applications in fintech, payments, and financial inclusion. For example, Africa’s large underbanked population presents leapfrog opportunities in these areas. Other priority sectors include transparency and verification use cases across supply chains, property, and government processes.
“This fund represents the next step in our strategy,” Greaves added. “We’re building a broader ecosystem that goes beyond infrastructure to empower founders shaping the future of Web3 in the world’s fastest-growing economies.”
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