Early Stage Crypto VC Investors are the driving force behind innovation in the digital asset economy, turning bold ideas into transformative blockchain protocols. For Web3 founders, securing capital from the right partners early on is critical—not just for funding, but for accessing deep sector expertise, operational support, and regulatory guidance. These investors play a hands-on role in helping projects navigate the volatile crypto landscape and reach product-market fit.

In Q1 2025, crypto VC funding surged to $4.8 billion across 446 deals—a 54% increase in capital and 7.5% rise in deal volume compared to the previous quarter. This growth reflects renewed confidence in areas like trading infrastructure, tokenization, and AI-integrated blockchain solutions. At the pre-seed and seed stages, Early Stage Crypto VC Investors are betting on teams and visions before products are fully formed. The firms listed below are known for backing the next generation of blockchain innovation—and finding the right one is a crucial milestone for any new protocol.

The firms listed below represent some of the most active and respected early stage crypto VC investors, known for backing transformative blockchain projects from inception to scale.

1. Escape Velocity (EV3) – Early Stage Crypto VC Investors

Website: ev3.xyz
Founded: 2022

Founders: Mahesh Ramakrishnan and Salvador Gala
Headquarters: New York, NY
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed
Check Size: $500K–$3M
Sector Focus: DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks), AI-native infrastructure, compute, wireless, energy, logistics
Socials: Twitter

Escape Velocity (EV3) is a thesis-led venture firm advancing sovereign, decentralized infrastructure across AI, compute, and physical networks. Since its founding in 2022, EV3 has focused on backing crypto-enabled and AI-native infrastructure startups across real-world verticals such as wireless, compute, energy, logistics, and healthcare. The firm typically leads early rounds with checks between $500K and $3M, maintaining a concentrated portfolio to provide deep operational support.

Investment Focus

EV3’s investment thesis centers on sovereign infrastructure—decentralized, verifiable systems that operate independently of centralized control. The firm targets:

• DePIN protocols rebuilding physical infrastructure (e.g., wireless, compute, energy)
• AI-native networks enabling decentralized inference and verifiable data
• Web3 applications embedded in real-world sectors like logistics and healthcare

The firm invests early to shape protocol design, token models, and go-to-market execution from inception.

Platform and Ecosystem Support

Through EV3 Labs, the firm offers a full-stack support platform that includes:

• Research: Sector reports such as State of DePIN and zkTLS analyses
• Analytics: DePIN Pulse, a public dashboard tracking DePIN metrics
• Events: The annual DePIN Summit, held in SF (2023), NYC (2024)
• Media: Proof of Coverage podcast and founder-focused content

This ecosystem-first approach positions EV3 as a strategic partner—not just a capital provider.

Notable Investments

EV3 has backed a range of early-stage projects aligned with its thesis on sovereign infrastructure and decentralized intelligence. Notable investments include:

EV3’s participation in 375ai’s funding round underscores its commitment to backing infrastructure that bridges the physical and digital worlds. This investment reflects EV3’s broader strategy: a concentrated portfolio approach that enables deep operational involvement in protocol design, token models, and go-to-market execution. Anchored by EV3 Labs, the firm’s ecosystem-first model provides founders with research, analytics, and community-building tools. With a second fund underway, EV3 is doubling down on its mission to build sovereign infrastructure for the decentralized age

2. Haun Ventures 

Website: haun.co

Founded: 2022

Stage Focus: Seed to Growth

Check Size: $500K–$10M

Focus Areas: Core infrastructure, consumer crypto, governance, digital identity

Socials: @HaunVentures

Founded by former federal prosecutor and a16z veteran Katie Haun, Haun Ventures is a conviction-led venture firm backing the next generation of the internet. With dedicated funds for early-stage and acceleration, the firm supports visionary founders from inception to scale. Haun Ventures is widely recognized among long-term Early Stage Crypto VC Investors, with a portfolio spanning stablecoins, decentralized social, and consumer-facing Web3 applications.

What Makes It Stand Out

Haun Ventures blends legal expertise with deep crypto-native insight, giving it a unique edge in navigating regulatory complexity. Its dual-fund structure allows it to support founders across multiple stages, and its focus on governance and digital identity aligns with the most pressing needs of the decentralized web.

Notable Investments

• Autonomous Worlds
• Privy
• Zora
• EigenLayer
• Farcaster

Edge

A rare combination of legal acumen, crypto-native conviction, and long-term capital makes Haun Ventures a standout partner for founders building foundational Web3 infrastructure.

3. Electric Capital

Website: electriccapital.com

Founded: 2018

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Focus: Blockchain infrastructure, developer tools, open-source protocols

Stage Focus: Pre-Seed to Series A

Check Size: $250K–$5M

Focus Areas: Blockchain infrastructure, developer tools, open-source protocols

Socials: @ElectricCapital

Electric Capital is a technically sophisticated venture firm known for its annual Developer Report, which tracks ecosystem health across thousands of repositories. As one of the most respected Early Stage Crypto VC Investors, it supports protocol teams with deep expertise in governance, token design, and validator strategy.

What Makes It Stand Out

Electric Capital’s data-driven approach and engineering-first mindset set it apart. Its Developer Report is a key industry benchmark, and its team includes former founders and engineers who understand the nuances of protocol development.

Notable Investments

• NEAR
• dYdX
• Celo
• Axelar
• MobileCoin

Edge

Electric Capital brings unmatched technical depth and ecosystem analytics, making it a go-to partner for infrastructure and protocol teams.

4. Boost VC

Website: boost.vc

Founded: 2012

Focus: Crypto, VR, deep tech

Stage Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed |

Check Size: $50K–$500K

Focus Areas: Crypto, VR/AR, AI, robotics, space

Socials: @BoostVC

Founded by Adam Draper, Boost VC is one of the most prolific Early Stage Crypto VC Investors, with over 300 startups backed. The firm’s “sci-fi thesis” attracts visionary founders building in frontier sectors.

What Makes It Stand Out

Boost VC’s accelerator model and bold thesis on sci-fi technologies give it a unique edge in spotting and supporting high-risk, high-reward ideas. It was among the first to back crypto, VR, and space startups before they were mainstream.

Notable Investments

• Etherscan
• Unstoppable Domains
• Arweave
• Polychain Capital
• Magic

Edge

Boost VC combines early conviction with hands-on mentorship, creating a launchpad for founders building in the most ambitious corners of tech.

5. Variant Fund

Website: variant.fund
Founded: 2020
Focus Areas: Web3 consumer apps, DeFi, creator economy, user-owned networks

Check Size: $250K–$2M

Stage Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed

Socials: @variantfund

Founded by a16z alum Jesse Walden, Variant Fund is a thesis-led firm focused on user-owned networks. As one of the most active Early Stage Crypto VC Investors in the ownership economy, Variant backs projects that empower users and creators through decentralized platforms.

What Makes It Stand Out

Variant’s focus on the ownership economy and its deep understanding of token design and consumer behavior make it a leader in Web3 consumer investing. Its 2025 flagship fund signals continued conviction in this space.

Notable Investments

• Mirror
• Foundation
• PartyDAO
• Lens Protocol
• Syndicate

Edge

Variant bridges crypto-native insight with consumer product thinking, helping founders design networks that align incentives between users and builders.

6. Lattice Fund

Website: lattice.fund

Founded: 2017

Focus: DeFi, infrastructure, user-owned networks

Check Size: $500K–$3M

Stage Focus: Seed and Series A

Socials: @LatticeFund

Lattice is a hands-on early stage crypto VC investor that helps founders build sustainable foundations. The firm emphasizes token design, liquidity mechanics, and community growth. With over 30 investments, Lattice is known for its early conviction in projects like Coala Pay and Manifest.

What Makes It Stand Out

Lattice’s operational support and early conviction in emerging protocols give it a strong reputation among builders. It’s known for backing projects before they hit the mainstream.

Notable Investments

• Coala Pay
• Manifest
• Babylon
• Penumbra
• Obol

Edge With a focus on tokenomics and network design, Lattice offers strategic guidance from token launch through network maturity.

7. Big Brain Holdings 

Website: bigbrain.holdings

Founded: 2021

Focus: DeFi, gaming, infra, Web3 tools

Check Size: $100K–$1M

Stage Focus: Pre-Seed to Series A

Socials: @BigBrainVC

Big Brain Holdings is a crypto-native VC firm with over 300 investments across core sectors. As one of the most active Early Stage Crypto VC Investors, it’s known for practical mentorship and deep ecosystem ties, supporting projects like Reflect, BIO Protocol, and Hemi Labs.

What Makes It Stand Out

Big Brain’s active presence in Solana and Cosmos ecosystems and its tactical support in tokenomics and growth make it a favorite among early-stage founders.

Notable Investments

• Reflect
• BIO Protocol
• Hemi Labs
• UXD Protocol
• Drift

Edge Big Brain combines high-volume investing with hands-on support, helping founders navigate early-stage challenges with speed and precision.

8. MH Ventures 

Website: mhventures.io

Founded: 2021

Focus Areas: DeFi, Web3 infrastructure, FinTech, GameFi

Check Size: $250K–$2.5M

Stage Focus: Pre-Seed to Series B

Socials: @MHventures_

MH Ventures is a founder-first venture firm investing across Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. As one of the globally active Early Stage Crypto VC Investors, MH Ventures helps teams scale through strategic partnerships and token design.

What Makes It Stand Out

MH Ventures’ global footprint and emphasis on emerging markets give it access to underexplored opportunities. Its ability to combine capital with operational expertise makes it a valuable partner for scaling.

Notable Investments

• Pharos
• Mira
• SupraOracles
• Zeek
• Rarify

Edge

MH Ventures offers global reach, deep token design experience, and a strong network across continents—ideal for founders looking to scale internationally.

The Current State of Early Stage Crypto VC Market

Despite a turbulent 2022–2023, early stage crypto VC funding is showing signs of recovery. In 2025, funding levels are still below the 2021 peak but are steadily climbing due to:

• Regulatory clarity in major markets
• Institutional interest in tokenized assets and infrastructure
• Resilient builder culture focused on long-term utility

Trending Sectors in Early Stage Crypto

The most talked-about industries among early stage crypto VCs include:

• Modular blockchains (e.g., Celestia, Dymension)
• AI x Crypto (e.g., decentralized AI agents, compute marketplaces)
• DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks)
• Real World Assets (RWAs) tokenization
• Crypto Gaming and on-chain media

A heatmap or bar chart can visualize sector interest across these categories.

Why These Early Stage Crypto VC Investors Matter

• Expertise that drives innovation: The best early stage crypto VC investors understand token mechanics, protocol governance, and on-chain scalability.
• Access to networks and capital: Funds like Electric Capital, Haun Ventures, and Variant open doors to top-tier follow-on investors.
• Hands-on support: Lattice, P2V, and Boost VC provide operational and product guidance, vital for pre-seed founders.

Notable Early Stage Seed Rounds

Here are notable early-stage seed rounds that illustrate how top Early Stage Crypto VC Investors deploy capital into high-conviction, thesis-aligned startups.

These examples highlight real investments made by the firms above, showcasing their focus areas and co-investor networks:

Startup	Sector	Round	Lead/Co-Investors	Backed By
Daylight	Decentralized identity	$9M Seed	a16z Crypto, Framework	Escape Velocity (EV3)
Privy	Web3 data privacy infrastructure	$8M Seed	Sequoia, BlueYard, Haun Ventures	Haun Ventures
Mirror	Web3 publishing / creator tools	$10M Seed	a16z Crypto, Union Square Ventures	Variant Fund
Coala Pay	DeFi payments infrastructure	$6M Seed	Lattice Fund (lead), Placeholder	Lattice Fund
Reflect	Solana-native DeFi	$5M Seed	Big Brain Holdings, Solana Ventures	Big Brain Holdings
Opacity Network	Verifiable data networks	$12M Seed	Archetype, Breyer Capital	Escape Velocity (EV3)
Foundation	NFT marketplace / creator economy	$8M Seed	Variant Fund, Placeholder	Variant Fund
375ai	Physical AI / DePIN	$5M Round	Delphi Ventures, HackVC, EV3	Escape Velocity (EV3)
Magic	Web3 onboarding / auth	$4M Seed	Boost VC, Placeholder	Boost VC
dYdX	Decentralized derivatives	$10M Seed	Electric Capital, a16z Crypto	Electric Capital

These rounds reflect the conviction-led, thesis-driven nature of early stage crypto VC investing. Most of these firms enter at the pre-product or MVP stage, often co-investing with other top-tier funds to support protocol design, tokenomics, and go-to-market execution.