Ripple

Ripple, headquartered in San Francisco, is a leading technology company renowned for its enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, particularly in the realm of cross-border payments. Beyond its core business, Ripple actively functions as a strategic investor through its corporate venture arm and its developer-focused initiative, RippleX. This investment strategy is meticulously aligned with the company's overarching mission to build the Internet of Value, fostering innovation within the blockchain and digital asset space.

Ripple's investment thesis centers on supporting companies and projects that leverage distributed ledger technology, especially the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Interledger Protocol (ILP), to address real-world financial challenges. Their key investment themes span fintech innovation, modern payments infrastructure, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), tokenization, and emerging Web3 applications. The aim is to enhance the utility and adoption of XRP and the broader XRPL ecosystem. Ripple’s commitment extends beyond mere equity investments; they also provide grants, technical support, and strategic partnerships to cultivate a robust and interconnected blockchain community. For instance, in 2021, Ripple launched a substantial $250 million Creator Fund specifically to support NFT projects building on the XRP Ledger, underscoring their dedication to ecosystem development.

As an investor, Ripple typically targets early to growth-stage companies, frequently participating in Series A or B funding rounds. While the precise "first cheque" size can fluctuate significantly based on the strategic importance of the venture and its stage of development, their direct equity investments generally range from approximately $1 million for early-stage participation to over $20 million for leading or substantially contributing to later-stage rounds. A notable example includes Ripple's participation in a $15 million Series A round for Omni in 2022, illustrating their engagement in significant funding initiatives. This nuanced investment approach reflects Ripple's long-term vision for a more efficient, inclusive, and interconnected global financial system powered by advanced blockchain technology.