1kx Company Profile

Background

1kx is a research-driven, fundamentals-focused global investment firm specializing in blockchain technologies. Founded in 2018 by tech entrepreneurs Lasse Clausen and Chris Heymann, the firm aims to support the builders shaping the future of blockchain technology. With a mission to develop domain expertise and thought leadership, 1kx accelerates markets emerging at the intersection of blockchain and the broader economy. The firm partners with a diverse global investor base, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, foundations, fund of funds, corporations, and family offices. Renowned for its hands-on approach, technical rigor, and unwavering long-term commitment to founders, 1kx has empowered over 150 visionary startups to scale transformative projects while delivering enduring returns for its investors.

Key Strategic Focus

1kx focuses on investing at key inflection points for blockchain technologies to create breakthrough opportunities across global markets. The firm's strategic objectives include:

• Core Objectives: Identifying and supporting transformative blockchain projects that have the potential to reshape industries and economies.

• Areas of Specialization: Early-stage investments in sectors such as decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), infrastructure, digital media, and gaming.

• Key Technologies Utilized: Deep technical expertise in blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and decentralized applications.

• Primary Markets Targeted: Global markets with a focus on emerging blockchain ecosystems and applications.

Financials and Funding

1kx has raised two funds to date:

• 1kx LP: Specific financial details are undisclosed.

• 1kx: Specific financial details are undisclosed.

The firm has made 161 investments across 138 portfolio companies. Notable investments include:

• Glass: An NFT video platform that raised $5 million in a seed funding round co-led by 1kx in September 2022.

• Pudgy Penguins: A leading Web3 IP company and NFT collection that completed a $9 million seed round led by 1kx in May 2023.

• Ligero: A crypto startup focused on zero-knowledge proof technology for data privacy and security, which raised $4 million in a seed funding round co-led by 1kx in February 2025.

• Pod Network: A company developing fast, simple Web3 infrastructure, which raised $10 million in a funding round with participation from 1kx in 2024.

Pipeline Development

1kx's portfolio includes several key pipeline candidates:

• Arx Research: A company that raised $6.1 million on November 6, 2025.

• Transak: A company that raised $16 million on August 12, 2025.

• Stackup: A company that raised $4.2 million on June 23, 2025.

• Miden: A company that raised $25 million on May 10, 2025.

• Inco: A company that raised $5 million on April 24, 2025.

• Tally.xyz: A company that raised $8 million on April 22, 2025.

• Seismic: A company that raised $7 million on March 6, 2025.

• Combinder: A company that raised $500,000 on March 4, 2025.

• Ligero: A company that raised $4 million on February 26, 2025.

• Pod Network: A company that raised $10 million on January 28, 2025.

• Reown: A company that raised $13 million on January 15, 2025.

• Predicate: A company that raised $7 million on October 15, 2024.

• Layer: A company that raised $6 million on October 7, 2024.

• Daylight: A company that raised $6 million on September 24, 2024.

• Celestia: A company that raised $100 million on September 23, 2024.

• Fabric Cryptography: A company that raised $33 million on August 19, 2024.

• Rhinestone: A company that raised $5 million on August 15, 2024.

• Blockscout: A company that raised $3 million on August 7, 2024.

• Igloo: A company that raised $11 million on July 23, 2024.

• Astria: A company that raised $12.5 million on July 5, 2024.

• Lagrange Labs: A company that raised $13.2 million on May 9, 2024.

• BuildBear Labs: A company that raised $1.9 million on March 1, 2024.

• Inco: A company that raised $4.5 million on February 22, 2024.

• Kiln: A company that raised $17 million on January 18, 2024.

• Yee-Haw Monster Trucks: A company that raised $3.3 million on November 8, 2023.

• Modulus: A company that raised $6.3 million on November 2, 2023.

• IYK: A company that raised $16.3 million on September 29, 2023.

• Glass: A company that raised $5 million on September 9, 2023.

• Spearbit: A company that raised $7 million on August 10, 2023.

• Connext Labs: A company that raised $7.5 million on June 14, 2023.

• Pudgy Penguins: A company that raised $9 million on May 9, 2023.

• Impossible: A company that raised $7.455 million on March 1, 2023.

• Caldera: A company that raised $9 million on February 13, 202.