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Lightning Ventures

North America, New York, United States, New York

Description

Lightning Ventures is a New York City-based venture capital firm with a highly specialized investment focus: companies building on Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. Established with a clear thesis, the firm exclusively backs startups that leverage the foundational Bitcoin protocol and its scaling layer, the Lightning Network, across various stages from Pre-Seed to Series A. This singular focus underscores their deep conviction in Bitcoin as a transformative technology and positions them as a key capital provider within the burgeoning Bitcoin economy.

The firm's investment philosophy extends beyond mere capital injection. Lightning Ventures aims to be a strategic partner, providing founders with not only funding but also critical connections, operational expertise, and guidance within the complex and rapidly evolving Bitcoin ecosystem. They invest across the entire "Bitcoin stack," supporting innovations ranging from core infrastructure and development tools to consumer-facing applications and financial services built on Bitcoin. Their team comprises experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and operators who are deeply passionate about accelerating Bitcoin's global adoption.

Lightning Ventures typically writes initial checks ranging from $250,000 for early-stage ventures up to $5,000,000 for more developed Series A companies. Their portfolio showcases a strong commitment to leading companies in the Bitcoin space, including prominent names such as Unchained Capital, a provider of Bitcoin financial services; River Financial, a Bitcoin-only financial institution; and Strike, a global Bitcoin payments company. Their strategic investments reflect a dedication to fostering the growth of a robust and decentralized Bitcoin-native economy, supporting the infrastructure and applications that will drive its future.

Investor Profile

Lightning Ventures has backed more than 52 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 4 rounds, about 8% of its total and boasts 0 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Pre Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Seychelles, Israel.
  • Strong thematic focus on Bitcoin, FinTech, Cryptocurrency.
  • Typical check size: $250K – $5M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (50%)
  • Pre Seed (38%)
  • Series A (8%)
  • Series Unknown (2%)
  • Series B (2%)

Country Focus

  • United States (65%)
  • Seychelles (4%)
  • Israel (4%)
  • Germany (4%)
  • Poland (4%)
  • United Kingdom (4%)
  • Nigeria (2%)
  • France (2%)
  • Switzerland (2%)
  • Puerto Rico (2%)

Industry Focus

  • Bitcoin
  • Fintech
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Financial Services
  • Blockchain
  • E-commerce
  • Payments
  • Software
  • Information Technology
  • Finance
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Lightning Ventures frequently co-invest with?

TVP
North America, Texas, United States, Austin
Co-Investments: 3
HV
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 4
Visary Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Concentric
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 2
Timechain
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
Ten31
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 7
Hivemind Capital Partners
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Fulgur Ventures
North America, Delaware, United States, Wilmington
Co-Investments: 7
Plan B Ventures
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 3
StillMark
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does Lightning Ventures often collaborate with?

Austin Hill
North America, Quebec, Canada, Montréal
Shared Deals: 1
Anil Patel
North America, Canada
Shared Deals: 2
DV
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Shared Deals: 1
BD
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Shared Deals: 1
JD
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
BM
North America, Ontario, Canada
Shared Deals: 2
SR
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
MD
North America, Wisconsin, United States, Milwaukee
Shared Deals: 2
CW
North America, California, United States, Fresno
Shared Deals: 1
JD
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Shared Deals: 3

What are some of recent deals done by Lightning Ventures?

JAN3

Volcano, California, United States

JAN3's mission is to accelerate hyperbitcoinization. Bitcoin will fix the world.

Bitcoin
SeedJan 3, 2025
Amount Raised: $5,000,000
Vida

Austin, Texas, United States

AI conversational voice and messaging agents for individuals, businesses, and developers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)CollaborationInformation TechnologyMessagingTelecommunications
SeedJul 2, 2024
Amount Raised: $3,000,000
OrdinalsBot

Mahé, Beau Vallon, Seychelles

OrdinalsBot is a blockchain platform that offers resources for token creations, inscriptions, and Bitcoin ecosystem.

BitcoinBlockchainCryptocurrencyDeveloper PlatformDeveloper Tools
SeedMar 26, 2024
Amount Raised: $3,000,000
OrdinalsBot

Mahé, Beau Vallon, Seychelles

OrdinalsBot is a blockchain platform that offers resources for token creations, inscriptions, and Bitcoin ecosystem.

BitcoinBlockchainCryptocurrencyDeveloper PlatformDeveloper Tools
SeedOct 9, 2023
Amount Raised: $1,000,000
Pnkfrg Studios

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Pnkfrg Studios is a mobile gaming studio establishing a new gaming genre based on mash-ups of entertainment formats.

GamingMobile
SeedMay 24, 2023
Azteco

Santa Monica, California, United States

Azteco is a consumer Bitcoin platform that provides Bitcoin vouchers for global financial transactions.

BitcoinConsumer SoftwareE-CommerceFinTechRetail
SeedMay 18, 2023
Amount Raised: $6,000,000
Cloaked Wireless

Newark, Delaware, United States

Privacy and security focused MVNO wireless provider. Your best protection from unauthorized SIM swaps and port out scams.

Fraud DetectionPrivacySecurityWireless
Pre SeedMay 10, 2023
Beaver Bitcoin

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Beaver Bitcoin is the best way to buy and hold bitcoin in a wallet you control. Buy bitcoin instantly via Interac e-Transfer.

BitcoinFinancial Services
Pre SeedMay 8, 2023
THNDR

London, England, United Kingdom

THNDR is a next generation competitive gaming platform and developer tools for powering mobile games and applications with real-world value.

BitcoinCasual GamesCryptocurrencyGamingOnline GamesVideo Games
SeedMay 4, 2023
Scarce City

New York, New York, United States

Scarce City is a marketplace that uses Bitcoin technology to sell Bitcoin-related artworks for Bitcoin.

ArtBlockchainMarketplace
SeedMay 4, 2023