Blockchain Builders Closes $28M Fund to Back Stanford's Web3 Startups

Blockchain Builders, a venture capital fund launched by Stanford alumni, has successfully closed its oversubscribed Fund I with $28 million raised. Focused on backing pre-seed and seed-stage startups from Stanford’s crypto community, the fund aims to accelerate innovation across Web3, AI, infrastructure, DeFi, DePIN, payments, and real-world assets (RWAs).

Founded by Gil Rosen, Kun Peng, and Steven Willinger, Blockchain Builders has already deployed $16 million across 40 early-stage blockchain ventures. Noteworthy portfolio companies include modular AI blockchain 0G (backed by Hack VC and Delphi Digital), decentralized supercomputing startup Nexus Labs (supported by Lightspeed and Pantera), open-access AI cloud platform Hyperbolic (with Variant and Polychain), and next-gen Layer-1 blockchain Pod (funded by a16z and 1kx).

Deeply embedded in Stanford’s blockchain scene, the fund’s team leads key initiatives such as the Stanford Blockchain Accelerator, MS&E 447 Blockchain Entrepreneurship course, and the Blockchain Application Stanford Summit (BASS). These programs have already supported over 200 founders and 400 students, attracting nearly 5,000 attendees.

Cofounder Kun Peng emphasized the fund’s academic roots and its commitment to founder support. Meanwhile, Steven Willinger brings experience from Coinbase Ventures and Capital One, while Gil Rosen is known for building enterprise infrastructure solutions for JPMorgan and LSE.

Looking ahead to Fund II, Blockchain Builders plans to partner with the IC3-Cornell accelerator, extending its reach to elite institutions like Berkeley, Yale, and Princeton. The team also plans collaborations with leading organizations like the Ethereum Foundation, Solana, StarkWare, and Coinbase.

With a founder-first approach and strategic GTM and fundraising guidance, Blockchain Builders is positioning its startups for success and future funding rounds led by top-tier investors.