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Nascent is a proprietary multi-strategy investment firm founded in 2020, based in Montreal. The firm is dedicated to the crypto ecosystem, operating with a unique structure where team members are the only limited partners. This model allows Nascent to navigate investment opportunities without traditional fund constraints, enabling flexible strategies across venture equity, liquid tokens, and protocol participation.
Since its inception, Nascent has focused on supporting builders who are shaping the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) and open economies. The firm has made over 90 investments, primarily in early-stage teams across various sectors within the crypto space. Its approach emphasizes hands-on support and governance participation, providing portfolio companies with access to the team's expertise in decentralized technologies.
Nascent invests in early-stage teams across multiple sectors within the crypto space, including decentralized finance (DeFi), infrastructure solutions, layer 1 and layer 2 technologies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). The firm targets innovative builders with a vision for the future of crypto, seeking to capture opportunities in open markets and permissionless technology.
Investment stages range from pre-seed to Series A, allowing Nascent to engage with startups at various points in their development. The firm is comfortable with hybrid capital structures that combine equity and tokens, reflecting its commitment to supporting diverse funding strategies. Nascent's global reach enables it to back teams innovating in the crypto space, regardless of geographic location.
Nascent's portfolio includes over 90 companies, showcasing a diverse range of projects within the crypto ecosystem. Notable portfolio companies include:
This portfolio reflects Nascent's commitment to investing in innovative projects that are shaping the future of decentralized finance and open economies.
Dan Elitzer: Co-Founder / Managing Partner. Dan has a background from MIT and previously co-founded IDEO CoLab Ventures. He is an active thought leader in the crypto space and frequently speaks at industry events.
Josh Felker: Co-Founder. Josh brings extensive experience in the crypto ecosystem and has been instrumental in shaping Nascent's investment strategy.
Rebecca: People & Performance. Rebecca focuses on team dynamics and organizational development within Nascent.
Jack Simison: Venture Associate. Jack supports the investment team in sourcing and evaluating new opportunities.
Joe Smith: Quantitative Developer. Joe applies quantitative analysis to assess investment opportunities in the crypto space.
Peter Shoemaker: Venture Partner. Peter has a wealth of experience in venture capital and provides strategic insights to portfolio companies.
Jessy: Venture Partner. Jessy focuses on identifying and supporting innovative projects within the crypto ecosystem.
Brock Elmore: Venture Partner. Brock brings a strong background in finance and technology to the team.
Nico: Strategy Lead. Nico is responsible for developing and executing Nascent's strategic initiatives.
Thor: Portfolio Strategist. Thor works closely with portfolio companies to optimize their growth strategies.
To pitch Nascent, founders should send an email to hello@nascent.xyz. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the startup, the problem it addresses, the solution offered, and the team's background. Founders should also outline their market strategy and any traction achieved thus far.
Response times may vary, but it is advisable to follow up if no response is received within a few weeks. Warm introductions are preferred but not mandatory.
In 2023, Nascent has continued to expand its portfolio, making several notable investments in the crypto space. The firm has focused on early-stage ventures, particularly in decentralized finance and infrastructure solutions.
Recent highlights include investments in companies like **Morpho**, a DeFi lending protocol, and **Aztec**, which specializes in zk privacy infrastructure. These investments reflect Nascent's commitment to supporting innovative projects that align with its investment thesis.
What are Nascent's investment criteria?
Nascent focuses on early-stage teams within the crypto ecosystem, particularly in sectors like decentralized finance (DeFi), infrastructure, layer 1 and layer 2 technologies, NFTs, and DAOs. The firm seeks innovative builders with a clear vision for the future of crypto.
How can I pitch Nascent?
Founders can reach out to Nascent via email at hello@nascent.xyz. It is advisable to include a clear overview of the startup, the problem it addresses, and the team's background in the pitch.
What makes Nascent different from other investors?
Nascent operates with a unique structure where team members are the only limited partners, allowing for flexible investment strategies without traditional fund constraints. This enables the firm to participate in both equity and token investments simultaneously.
What is Nascent's geographic scope?
Nascent operates globally, supporting builders in the crypto space regardless of their location. The firm is particularly focused on early-stage ventures that are innovating in decentralized finance and related sectors.
What kind of support does Nascent provide to its portfolio companies?
Nascent offers hands-on support, leveraging its team's expertise in crypto and decentralized technologies. The firm is comfortable with governance participation and provides insights into hybrid capital structures that combine equity and tokens.
What is the typical check size for investments?
While specific check sizes are not publicly disclosed, Nascent's flexible investment strategy allows for varying ticket sizes depending on the opportunity and the stage of the startup.
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