Catenaa, Tuesday, February 04, 2025 – Sei Foundation has unveiled Sapien Capital, a $65 million venture fund aimed at accelerating the growth of decentralized science (DeSci) startups building on its Layer 1 blockchain.
The fund, fully financed by Sei Foundation with no external capital, will invest in early-stage DeSci projects focused on open scientific research, decentralized funding models, and blockchain-powered data sharing. Investments will range from $100,000 to $2 million, with plans to deploy the full amount over the next three to four years, according to Justin Barlow, Sei Foundation’s head of business development and investments.
DeSci seeks to decentralize scientific research funding and data sharing, shifting control from traditional institutions to community-driven platforms. Using blockchain mechanisms like decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), it enables transparent funding decisions and open access to research data.
DeSci said it had the potential to scale massively due to its universal impact. DeSci’s goal was to empower founders building the infrastructure and applications to support this emerging sector.
Sei’s investment follows a rise in interest in DeSci, with firms such as YZi Labs and a16z backing projects in the space. Despite its promise, adoption remains a challenge, particularly in gaining acceptance from traditional scientific communities.
Sei Foundation plans to collaborate with leading universities and life sciences firms to drive legitimacy and long-term growth in the sector.
