IDEO CoLab Ventures

IDEO CoLab Ventures, founded in 2015 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage startups in the areas of internet technology, marketplaces, fintech, decentralized systems, the future of work, and web3. The firm not only invests in these companies but also collaborates with them to develop and launch innovative products and protocols. As a Registered Investment Adviser, IDEO CoLab Ventures aims to support the growth of distributed web startups through both financial backing and hands-on co-creation.

Madeline Macartney

Associate

53 past transactions

Cork Protocol

Seed Round in 2024
Cork provides a decentralized finance (DeFi) technology that enables collateralized swaps against any pegged asset.

Yup

Venture Round in 2024
Crypto social network that rewards and empowers curators

Karma3 Labs

Seed Round in 2024
Karma3 Labs is a developer of a decentralized trust protocol that facilitates the creation of on-chain ranking and recommendation systems for applications. The company offers a platform that includes peer-to-peer social attestations, open data, and reliable algorithms, allowing developers to build personalized recommendations and Sybil-resistant systems within social graph protocols. With a focus on contextual and customizable features, Karma3 Labs aims to enhance the functionality and trustworthiness of app ecosystems.

Acctual

Seed Round in 2023
Acctual is a company that offers an automation platform for managing accounts payable and receivable, specifically tailored for businesses in the cryptocurrency sector. The platform facilitates a streamlined process for handling bills in both crypto and fiat currencies, ensuring that all transactions are efficiently synced with existing accounting systems. By extracting key information from forwarded invoices, Acctual's technology generates contextual journal entries and automates payments directly from digital wallets. This approach enables companies to establish standardized financial operations, enhancing their overall efficiency and financial management.

Blocktorch

Seed Round in 2023
Blocktorch is a company that specializes in providing a multi-chain observability platform tailored for web3 developers. This platform enables engineers to monitor and manage various decentralized components on a global scale. By offering centralized access to metrics, logs, and traces across different blockchain networks, Blocktorch helps ensure the reliable operation of decentralized applications, serving billions of users efficiently.

Antimetal

Seed Round in 2023
Antimetal is a technology company specializing in cloud optimization. It offers an automated platform designed to help businesses save on their cloud spending effortlessly and securely. The platform employs AI-driven analytics to continuously monitor and understand users' usage patterns, identifying potential savings opportunities without requiring any coding or engineering expertise from clients.

Den

Seed Round in 2023
Den is a company that specializes in developing an online platform designed to streamline multi-signature transactions for crypto-native teams. Established in 2022 and headquartered in New York, Den's platform enables users to build and sign on-chain transactions swiftly and accurately. By facilitating the efficient execution of these transactions, Den supports crypto teams in their transition from traditional currency-based economies to the crypto economy, thereby enhancing their asset management capabilities.

Salsa (prev. Pearl)

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Salsa is a mobile app for brands looking for a crypto-native way to engage their audiences. Salsa is launching its app in partnership with POAP, a “Proof of Attendance Protocol” that lets users mint memories like event attendance as digital collectibles.

Envio

Seed Round in 2023
Envio is a technology company that specializes in providing a modern, efficient, and developer-friendly blockchain indexing solution. It addresses the challenges posed by latency, reliability, and costs in traditional indexing approaches, giving developers peace of mind. Envio serves as a front door for applications to access, transform, and save real-time or historical data from any EVM smart contract, enhancing the development process and unlocking the potential of Web3 infrastructure.

82°E

Seed Round in 2022
With 82°E, I hope to inspire all of us to connect with our truest, most authentic selves through regular and humble self-care practices. The first step in that direction is our line of skincare products, which have been meticulously sourced, meticulously crafted, and clinically tested so you can create simple, joyful, and effective daily rituals to care for your skin's health.

Stems Labs

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Stems Labs is a community and platform for collaborative creativity. Through web3 tools, it encourages artist and fan engagement. For example, a musician can share their music stems or a mix of drums, bass, guitar, and other individual musical tracks with the Stem community. Users can then remix the audio to create new music NFTs, with royalties paid to the original artists upon sale.

Unlockd

Seed Round in 2022
Unlockd is a decentralized financial platform that aims to enhance the financial potential of digital assets, particularly non-fungible tokens (NFTs). By implementing a pooled liquidity model, the platform enables NFT holders to secure instant loans against their assets while retaining the ability to use them. This approach allows users to maximize the return on their NFTs, facilitating wealth accumulation in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. Unlockd's innovative services support individuals in achieving greater financial freedom by leveraging the full value of their digital assets without sacrificing their utility.

Satellite IM

Seed Round in 2022
Satellite IM utilizes leading decentralization and encryption technology to provide a platform to build extensible apps.

Socket

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Socket is a Web3 privacy infrastructure platform designed to facilitate social interactions for cryptocurrency purposes. It provides users with a means to manage their wallet addresses while maintaining privacy through read-only access and specific permissions. The platform allows users to connect and explore social information both on-chain and off-chain, enhancing their experience in the crypto space while safeguarding their personal data. By prioritizing privacy, Socket aims to create a secure environment for social engagement within the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape.

PwnedNoMore

Seed Round in 2022
PwnedNoMore is a cloud-based fuzz testing platform that helps web3 projects to secure their codebase. Build by top class white hat hackers.

NFTPort

Series A in 2022
NFTPort is a company that offers a comprehensive NFT infrastructure and API platform designed for developers. Founded by Kaspar Peterson and Johannes Tammekänd, and based in Tallinn, Estonia, NFTPort aims to streamline the process of creating and managing non-fungible tokens. By providing a user-friendly solution akin to Stripe for NFTs, the company enables developers to bring their NFT applications to market quickly, often within hours rather than months. Additionally, NFTPort facilitates the licensing of asset usage for specific purposes, while also enhancing security and reducing the risk of fraud in the NFT space.

Cometh

Seed Round in 2022
Cometh is a game development studio based in Paris, France, founded in 2020. The company specializes in creating blockchain games that integrate with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, promoting blockchain adoption within the video game industry. Cometh's platform allows players to engage in various activities such as mining, trading, and exploration while utilizing the DeFi ecosystem to foster a sustainable virtual space. One of its notable offerings is Cometh Battle, a free-to-play galactic trading card game where players can own, trade, rent, and battle with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) representing cards and spaceships. This innovative approach enables users to collect unique game items and participate in asset transactions, providing both entertainment and financial opportunities.

PILabs

Venture Round in 2022
PILabs is an agency for creators and startups.

Float Capital

Seed Round in 2022
Float Capital is a blockchain-based financial application made for use in the financial sector. Users can meet their financial needs due to the company's platform, which offers a next-generation synthetic asset protocol for minting synthetic assets without over-collateralization or liquidations.

Phi Labs

Seed Round in 2022
Phi Labs is a company dedicated to developing blockchain tools and protocols that empower developers, creators, and entrepreneurs. It contributes to the Archway protocol, which incentivizes blockchain developers for their contributions. With a global team of web pioneers, Phi Labs focuses on creating open-source solutions that enhance the accessibility of application development, fostering innovation within the blockchain ecosystem. Through its efforts, the company aims to simplify the process of building decentralized applications, thus supporting the growth of the blockchain community.

DOOMSDAYX

Pre Seed Round in 2022
DOOMSDAYX is a creative technology studio dedicated to supporting web3 artists and their fans, with an emphasis on transforming culture through on-chain innovations. The studio specializes in educating artists about non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the broader web3 ecosystem. By offering a range of services, DOOMSDAYX empowers artists to connect with the native crypto community and reach a wider retail audience. Additionally, the company fosters deeper engagement between fans and their favorite artists, enhancing the overall experience within the web3 landscape.

GCR DAO

Seed Round in 2022
a community of Researchers and Investors in Web3.

Juried Protocol Galleries

Seed Round in 2022
Juried Protocol Galleries is a registry-based protocol that focuses on NFT curation and brings collectors, curators, and artists together. The company was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Lewes, Delaware, United States.

koodos labs

Seed Round in 2021
Koodos Labs is a digital platform focused on empowering users to manage their personal data and improve their online experiences. The company develops innovative products that facilitate personal data management and secure integrations, allowing individuals and developers to take control of their digital lives. By fostering data portability, Koodos Labs aims to enhance user autonomy in navigating the increasingly complex digital landscape.

Goldfinch

Seed Round in 2021
Goldfinch is a credit platform that offers crypto loans without collateral. It also offers capital in a digital currency by expanding access to capital in emerging markets and offers a stable yield to the lenders, enabling the empowerment of financial inclusion in emerging markets. The company was founded in 2020 by Mike Sall and Blake West.

Rumble League Studios

Seed Round in 2021
Rumble League Studio's purpose is to empower players by changing the existing quo of digital ownership.

Burrata

Seed Round in 2021
Burrata is a computer software provider focused on facilitating the transition from Web2 to Web3. The company specializes in developing decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols that aid in constructing and identifying information bridges. Burrata's protocols create an extensible integration layer designed to standardize, process, and prioritize the influx of Web2 data on-chain. This innovative approach allows users to navigate Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements without needing to re-verify or disclose their information, thereby enhancing user experience and data security in the evolving digital landscape.

Neon Labs

Seed Round in 2021
Neon Labs builds innovative blockchain products.

Immunefi

Seed Round in 2021
Immunefi is a security services platform specializing in bug bounty programs aimed at protecting cryptocurrency projects from vulnerabilities associated with Web3. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Singapore, the company offers a comprehensive solution that includes network hosting, bug triaging, and program management specifically tailored for blockchain technology. Immunefi's platform assists in reviewing smart contract code, disclosing vulnerabilities, and securing projects against malicious exploits and unforeseen attacks, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of crypto initiatives.

THORSwap

Initial Coin Offering in 2021
THORSwap is a cross-chain decentralized exchange (DEX) built on THORChain.

Gelato

Series A in 2021
Gelato Network is an innovative company based in Berlin, Germany, that focuses on automating smart contract executions on the Ethereum blockchain. Founded in 2007, Gelato provides a web cloud platform that allows developers to streamline their on-chain processes, enhancing application reliability and performance. Its audited smart contract protocol eliminates the need for developers to manage underlying server infrastructure, thereby saving significant development time and reducing the potential for single points of failure. The platform supports the creation of augmented smart contracts that are automated, gasless, and compatible with all major EVM-compatible blockchains, making it a valuable tool for developers looking to optimize their applications.

Nine Chronicles

Seed Round in 2021
Nine Chronicles is a fully decentralized RPG powered by the players.

4K.com

Seed Round in 2021
4K.com is a company that has developed a web-based NFT marketplace aimed at bridging ownership and authenticity between physical products and the digital realm. The platform specializes in creating NFTs that are backed by tangible assets, allowing users to verify ownership of items such as clothing, shoes, watches, consumer electronics, and video games. By leveraging decentralized finance, 4K.com transforms physical goods into NFTs, introducing innovative payment systems and protocols that facilitate financial transactions. This enables investors to trade more efficiently, access mortgage loans, and earn yields on their assets, thereby enhancing the marketplace's utility and appeal.

Yield Guild Games

Series A in 2021
Yield Guild Games (YGG), founded in 2018 and based in Quezon City, Philippines, is a decentralized autonomous organization focused on investing in non-fungible tokens used in virtual worlds and blockchain-based games. The company aims to build the largest virtual world economy by optimizing community-owned assets for maximum utility and sharing profits with its token holders. YGG also invests in early-stage token and equity deals within web3, gaming studios, and the infrastructure supporting industry growth.

Umee

Seed Round in 2021
Umee is the most programmable, safety-first lending algorithm built as a blockchain that enables seamless borrowing and lending of digital assets between distinct blockchain ecosystems. Umee is reshaping the global debt markets in Web3.

Primitive

Venture Round in 2021
Primitive is a developer of an innovative software platform focused on the Ethereum decentralized finance ecosystem. The company has created Arbiter, an open-source software framework that facilitates crypto transaction simulation. Additionally, Primitive offers a crypto asset management platform that provides users with non-custodial options protocols for any Ethereum asset, allowing them to earn upfront returns. By emphasizing open-source solutions, Primitive aims to empower users in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital finance.

Thorstarter

Initial Coin Offering in 2021
Thorstarter is a blockchain-based platform that facilitates networking and Initial DEX Offerings (IDOs) in the digital asset space. It operates as a venture DAO, democratizing financial networks and providing solutions akin to decentralized venture capital and IDO launchpads. The platform enables cross-chain swaps with improved liquidity support for long-tail crypto assets, offering a fairer launch platform for these assets.

Warbler Labs

Seed Round in 2021
Warbler Labs is a fintech company specializing in blockchain development and crypto technological solutions for businesses. It has developed a decentralized credit protocol aimed at facilitating crypto loans for real businesses, thereby enhancing access to capital in emerging markets. By providing capital in digital currencies, Warbler Labs enables individuals and enterprises in these regions to engage in crypto lending, while also offering lenders the opportunity to achieve stable yields. The company's focus on innovative financial solutions positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of digital finance.

MOUND

Seed Round in 2021
MOUND is a finance startup that optimizes Binance Smart Chan (BSC) and Ethereum (ETH). The company's products include Pancake Bunny and Smart Vaults. Pancake Bunny is a yield farming aggregator. Using leveraged lending products, Smart Vaults is used to farm single asset yields.

Goldfinch

Venture Round in 2021
Goldfinch is a credit platform that offers crypto loans without collateral. It also offers capital in a digital currency by expanding access to capital in emerging markets and offers a stable yield to the lenders, enabling the empowerment of financial inclusion in emerging markets. The company was founded in 2020 by Mike Sall and Blake West.

Valiu

Seed Round in 2020
Valiu Inc. is a fintech company based in Bogotá, Colombia, specializing in electronic fund transfer services specifically for the Venezuelan market. Founded in 2018 by Simon Chamorro and Alberto Niego, Valiu has developed a mobile application that facilitates borderless financial services. This platform enables users to save, send, and receive money conveniently, regardless of their socioeconomic status or the capabilities of their mobile devices. By leveraging a blockchain-based remittance system, Valiu allows users to manage their finances without the reliance on traditional banking institutions, thereby providing accessible financial solutions for Venezuelans, including migrants and their families.

Blocknative

Venture Round in 2020
Blocknative is a San Francisco-based company founded in 2018 that specializes in real-time blockchain transaction management and monitoring solutions for public blockchain networks. It offers a decentralized application development platform that enables developers to access data across multiple blockchain networks. By utilizing an embedded JavaScript widget, Blocknative simplifies complex blockchain codes, allowing developers to create applications that enhance user experiences. The platform provides clients with pre-chain insights, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their blockchain transactions.

Boardroom Labs

Seed Round in 2020
Boardroom Labs Inc is a New York-based company that specializes in developing an integrated governance management platform tailored for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and crypto networks. Founded in 2020, the company aims to facilitate faster, smarter, and more informed decision-making for stakeholders by providing tools that allow users to interact, signal, and vote on governance proposals. Boardroom Labs focuses on enhancing distributed decision-making, enabling token holders, issuers, and delegates to participate seamlessly in governance processes across various protocols. The organization is committed to high standards in code quality and architecture while fostering an inclusive environment that values positive energy and continuous learning.

Slingshot

Seed Round in 2020
Slingshot is a decentralized finance (DeFi) trading platform that enables users to buy, sell, swap, and bridge over 50,000 cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, California, Slingshot offers a secure and user-friendly interface that combines the efficiency of centralized platforms with the transparency and security of decentralized technologies. The platform aggregates prices across multiple decentralized exchanges, ensuring users have access to the best available rates for their token trades. It features a range of tools, including live price charts, portfolio tracking, and various wallet integrations, all designed to enhance the trading experience. Renowned for its commitment to security and user sovereignty, Slingshot aims to empower retail users in the digital asset space.

Braintrust

Seed Round in 2020
Braintrust is a blockchain-powered freelancer marketplace that connects organizations with technical and design talent. Founded in 2018 in San Jose, California, by Adam Jackson, Gabriel Luna-Ostaseski, and Brian Flynn, the company offers a user-controlled talent network that eliminates intermediaries, allowing enterprises to access highly skilled professionals while achieving significant cost savings. By charging a flat project fee, Braintrust enables talent to retain 100 percent of their earnings. The platform emphasizes transparency and trust, utilizing a tokenized network to ensure that employers can find the right talent based on verified reputation, work history, and cultural fit. Braintrust aims to disrupt traditional hiring practices by realigning incentives and redistributing value between talent and organizations.

Chia Network

Venture Round in 2020
Chia Network Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that develops a blockchain platform focused on creating a more sustainable and decentralized cryptocurrency. Incorporated in 2017, Chia Network utilizes a unique approach based on proofs of space and time, harnessing low-cost, unused storage space on hard drives to optimize cryptocurrency transactions. The company offers Chialisp, a smart transaction programming language that enhances the security and ease of use of its cryptocurrency. By employing proofs of work for blockchain verification, Chia Network aims to provide a more efficient and secure alternative for both individual miners and traditional financial institutions purchasing and deploying cryptocurrency.

River

Seed Round in 2020
River Financial Inc. is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2019 by Alexander Leishman and Andrew Benson. The company specializes in providing a platform for individuals and institutions to buy, manage, and sell bitcoin. Its flagship product is a Bitcoin brokerage designed for sophisticated retail investors, offering a high-touch service that prioritizes security and client experience. River Financial's platform includes tools for investment performance, such as cost basis tracking, catering to the needs of its clients in the evolving cryptocurrency market.

Transparent Financial Systems

Series A in 2020
Transparent Financial Systems, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that specializes in developing on-demand cryptographic settlement solutions for financial applications. Established in 2018, the company focuses on creating efficient, transparent, and accurate payment systems by utilizing cryptographically-secured distributed networks. Their technology facilitates secure and frictionless business transactions through an open universal platform, enabling real-time payments via blockchain technology. Rather than attempting to circumvent the existing financial framework, Transparent Financial Systems aims to enhance it by collaborating with banks and businesses. The company combines expertise from cryptographers, financial specialists, and software engineers to innovate within the regulatory environment, striving to improve the overall payment process for all stakeholders involved.

PoolTogether

Seed Round in 2020
PoolTogether Inc. is a company that operates a decentralized application on the Ethereum blockchain, designed to facilitate saving money through a gamified approach. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, PoolTogether offers an audited savings game that allows users to deposit Ethereum assets into a pool. The deposited funds accrue interest through a compound protocol, and at the end of each week, one participant is awarded the collective interest, while all participants retain their initial deposits. The platform emphasizes a no-loss principle, making savings more transparent and accessible, and aims to provide a more advantageous alternative to traditional lottery systems.

Optimism

Seed Round in 2020
Optimism is a decentralized infrastructure platform focused on enhancing Ethereum's scalability and transaction speed. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in New York, the company operates as a public benefit corporation, balancing the financial interests of shareholders with the broader needs of the community and society. Optimism develops open-source software that enables developers to build on the Ethereum blockchain more efficiently, utilizing zero-knowledge proofs to ensure the validity of state updates. By promoting fair access to public goods on the internet, Optimism aims to create a responsible and sustainable ecosystem that benefits both businesses and the wider community.

Futureswap

Seed Round in 2019
Futureswap is a company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing a decentralized futures exchange platform utilizing blockchain technology. The platform operates on a non-custodial basis, enabling users to engage in the trading of crypto futures contracts. Futureswap employs an automated market-making (AMM) algorithm to facilitate these transactions, enhancing liquidity and efficiency in the trading process. With a focus on decentralized finance, Futureswap aims to provide a secure and user-friendly environment for trading perpetual futures in the cryptocurrency market.

Instadapp

Seed Round in 2019
Instadapp is a decentralized finance platform that provides users and developers with tools to efficiently manage interactions across various DeFi applications. Founded in 2018 and based in Hyderabad, India, the company operates a blockchain-based autonomous banking portal and mobile application. Instadapp's services include lending, borrowing, leverage, and swapping, allowing users to deposit cryptocurrencies and earn variable algorithmic interest. The platform facilitates the tracking and management of blockchain-based assets, enabling users to analyze their financial positions effectively. Additionally, Instadapp empowers developers to create innovative use-cases and monetize their applications, enhancing the overall reliability and utility of the DeFi ecosystem.

Valiu

Seed Round in 2019
Valiu Inc. is a fintech company based in Bogotá, Colombia, specializing in electronic fund transfer services specifically for the Venezuelan market. Founded in 2018 by Simon Chamorro and Alberto Niego, Valiu has developed a mobile application that facilitates borderless financial services. This platform enables users to save, send, and receive money conveniently, regardless of their socioeconomic status or the capabilities of their mobile devices. By leveraging a blockchain-based remittance system, Valiu allows users to manage their finances without the reliance on traditional banking institutions, thereby providing accessible financial solutions for Venezuelans, including migrants and their families.
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