IOSG Ventures
A Web3 and crypto venture investor that backs founders through its Kickstarter Program and runs an Entrepreneur in Residence programme across Asia and the US.
IOSG Ventures at a glance
| Established | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Address | Hong Kong |
| Programmes | 2 standing programmes |
| Official website | iosg.vc |
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at IOSG Ventures, separate from the funding calls above.
IOSG runs two standing programmes. The Kickstarter Program is an investment made through a SAFE. The EIR pays residents compensation during its six months. Check each programme page for current terms before applying.
An investment in Web3 founders, made through a SAFE plus a token warrant, with expert mentorship and quarterly online demo days.
Best for: Web3 and crypto founders who are about to start something or have not yet raised institutional funding.
- Takes equity
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Kickstarter Program invests in Web3 founders, with expert mentorship and access to the firm's global network of partners. The investment is made through a SAFE (a Simple Agreement for Future Equity) together with a token warrant.
What you get
- An investment made through a SAFE, plus a token warrant
- Expert mentorship
- Access to the firm's global network of partners
- Quarterly online demo days to show your MVP to entrepreneurs and investors
Who can apply
- Founders in the crypto space who are about to start something and have not yet raised institutional funding
- Founders already in an accelerator, or with a modest raise from friends and family, are also invited to get in touch
- The programme pages do not list country or incorporation rules
How to apply: Applications are always open. The team aims to review submissions within two weeks.
A six-month residency for pre-idea founders across Asia and the US, with funding, mentorship and compensation during the programme.
Best for: Founders at the pre-idea stage who can take part in a six-month residency in one of the programme's five cities.
- Six months
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Entrepreneur in Residence Program is designed for founders at the pre-idea stage. Over six months in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, New York, San Francisco and Singapore, residents receive funding, mentorship and ecosystem support.
What you get
- Funding and mentorship
- Ecosystem support
- Compensation during the programme
- A possible route to investment through the Kickstarter Program on completion
Who can apply
- Founders at the pre-idea stage
- The programme is currently invite-only. The page says it still welcomes applications from founders who believe they are a strong fit for its goals.
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
Business advisory
Expert mentorship and consulting for founders in its programmes.
Market access
Access to the firm's global network of partners, companies and institutions.
How to apply to IOSG Ventures
Choosing a programme
- Kickstarter Program: an investment for Web3 and crypto founders who are about to start something or have not yet raised institutional funding.
- Entrepreneur in Residence: a six-month residency for founders at the pre-idea stage. It is currently invite-only.
How applications work
- Kickstarter applications are open all year. The team aims to review them within two weeks.
- The EIR page says applications are still welcome, even though the programme is currently invite-only.
Before you apply
- Check the country and incorporation rules first. The Kickstarter pages do not list them.
- The Kickstarter investment is made through a SAFE with a token warrant, so ask about equity and token terms before you accept.
About IOSG Ventures
IOSG Ventures is a venture investor focused on Web3 and crypto. The firm describes itself as one of Asia's first Web3 venture capital firms, and it runs two programmes for founders: the IOSG Kickstarter Program, an investment with mentorship, and the Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program, a six-month residency.
How the programmes work
The Kickstarter Program invests in Web3 founders through a SAFE (a Simple Agreement for Future Equity), together with a token warrant. Alongside the investment, founders get expert mentorship, access to the firm's global network of partners, and quarterly online demo days where they show their MVP to entrepreneurs and investors.
The EIR Program is for founders at the pre-idea stage. Over six months in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, New York, San Francisco and Singapore, residents receive funding, mentorship and ecosystem support, and they are paid compensation during the programme. Residents can potentially secure investment through the Kickstarter Program when they complete it.
Who can apply
The Kickstarter Program is aimed at founders in the crypto space who are about to start something and have not yet raised institutional funding. Founders already in an accelerator, or with a modest raise from friends and family, are also invited to get in touch. The programme pages do not list country or incorporation rules, so check eligibility before applying.
The EIR Program is currently invite-only. The page says it still welcomes applications from founders who believe they are a strong fit.
Scale
IOSG's own figures do not agree. Its homepage says it has backed more than 150 companies since 2017, and that more than 10 of them have become unicorns. Its Kickstarter page says it has backed over 130 Web3 projects globally since 2017. Both are the firm's self-reported claims and have not been checked against an independent source. The firm also says it opens its network of more than 2,000 companies and institutions to every founder it backs.
Who they work with
Tags
Frequently asked questions about IOSG Ventures
What does IOSG Ventures do?
IOSG Ventures is a venture investor focused on Web3 and crypto. The firm describes itself as one of Asia's first Web3 venture capital firms, and it runs two programmes for founders: the IOSG Kickstarter Program, an investment with mentorship, and the Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program, a six-month residency.
Where is IOSG Ventures located?
IOSG Ventures is based in Hong Kong.
What programs does IOSG Ventures run?
IOSG Ventures runs IOSG Kickstarter Program and IOSG Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program.
How do I apply to IOSG Ventures?
- Kickstarter Program: an investment for Web3 and crypto founders who are about to start something or have not yet raised institutional funding. - Entrepreneur in Residence: a six-month residency for founders at the pre-idea stage. It is currently invite-only. - Kickstarter applications are open all year. The team aims to review them within two weeks.
When was IOSG Ventures founded?
IOSG Ventures was founded in 2017. It is a venture capital investor.
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