About
Since 2017, IOSG has backed over 130+ Web3 projects globally. As we look back on our journey, we have been very lucky to have forged some deep relationships with our founders. Venture investing is a business of trust building. Trust is easiest to build when the incentives are straightforward and closely aligned. When a company just started out, the incentive for both the founder and investors is dead simple: get to the product market fit as fast as possible. If we can partner up with founders at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey, we are more likely to have a fruitful relationship with the founders over the long run. With that being said, we’d like to announce a new initiative at IOSG: The Kickstarter Program The Kickstarter Program is a builder-centric initiative that offers $100k and access to our network of experts in exchange for a small stake in your company. If you are about to start something in the crypto space and haven’t raised any institutional funding, we want to meet you. Even if you are already part of an accelerator or have raised a modest amount of money from friends and families, we’d love to connect with you too.
What We Offer
- Investment up to $100K SAFE + a token warrant, capped at 10M valuation.
- Access to our expert network and mentorship.
- We will host an online demo day at least once every quarter, providing teams with the opportunity to showcase their MVPs to our network of entrepreneurs and investors.
- Each selected team may tap into our network and benefit from expertise across some key partners of the IOSG family.
Our Partners
Each of our partners is actively seeking specific types of projects. Click on each partner below to learn more about their interests:
Wishlist
While we're open to surprising ideas, here is a list of areas where we think big opportunities might lie. But we’re more than happy to be surprised by your own ideas that we haven’t considered.
Our Kickstarter WishlistWhat we look for
- We love authentic founders who can teach us things we don’t already know.
- Having a simple prototype attached to your application will definitely increase your chance of acceptance.
- If you are accepted into the program, we expect you to commit and work on the idea full-time or to the best of your ability.
Application
- Applications are always open!
- Review Time: Within two weeks after submission
- Application Form: Apply Here
FAQ
Who is qualified to apply?
We seek builders who can write software and have strong product sense. Crypto native experience and GTM knowledge are valuable additions.
Why is a prototype highly recommended?
Given the funding amount, we rely on founders to build the MVP themselves. Technical capability is crucial.
How long does the program last?
- No fixed duration
- Target significant milestones within 3 months
- Support through next stages (accelerators/funding rounds)
- Quarterly demo days
Is it remote or in-person?
Fully remote program
Looking for something even earlier-stage?
If you're still refining your product thesis and exploring early product-market fit, our Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program might be a better fit. This 6-month, in-person program in Hong Kong and Shenzhen provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders experiment, build, and validate ideas—while gaining firsthand insights into VC perspectives, industry trends, and emerging Web3 technologies with hands-on support from the IOSG team.
Learn more:
IOSG Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) ProgramContact
For inquiries: kickstarter[at]iosg.vc