The blockchain industry continues to thrive, attracting investors eager to back innovative startups that are shaping the future of Web3, decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and beyond. Since 2020, numerous blockchain startups have emerged, securing millions in funding to fuel their growth and disrupt traditional industries.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 blockchain startups founded after 2020 that have successfully raised between $5 million and $10 million in recent funding rounds. These companies are not only gaining traction but also setting the stage for the next wave of blockchain innovation. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or blockchain enthusiast, these rising stars are worth keeping an eye on!
Blockchain Startups That Raised $5M–$10M in Recent Funding
| Company Name | Founded | Location | Number of Employees | Last Funding | Last Funding Date | Total Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixels | 2020 | San Francisco, California, USA | 11-50 | $4.8M | Feb 9, 2024 | $7.32M |
| Superform Labs | 2022 | Miami, Florida, USA | 1-10 | $3M | Dec 12, 2024 | $9.5M |
| Masa | 2021 | San Francisco, California, USA | 11-50 | $8.9M | Dec 18, 2024 | $8.9M |
| Zerobase | 2024 | Los Altos, California, USA | 1-10 | $5M | Oct 18, 2024 | $5M |
| GEODNET | 2021 | Los Altos, California, USA | 1-10 | $7M | Oct 29, 2024 | $7M |
| Omega | 2023 | Miami, Florida, USA | 1-10 | $6M | Feb 6, 2024 | $6M |
| AminoChain | 2022 | New York, New York, USA | 1-10 | $5M | Sep 25, 2024 | $5.7M |
| Kinetic | 2022 | San Francisco, California, USA | 1-10 | $10M | Dec 5, 2024 | $10M |
| Ava Protocol | 2021 | San Francisco, California, USA | 11-50 | $4.5M | Jun 11, 2024 | $10M |
| StarTower | 2022 | New York, New York, USA | 101-250 | €3M | Aug 9, 2024 | €8M |
1. Pixels
- Founded: 2020
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Gaming, MMO Games
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Funding Raised: $4.8M (Latest Round: Feb 9, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $7.32M
Pixels is a blockchain-powered play-to-earn MMO game focused on creating a lighthearted and engaging gaming experience. Founded by Luke Barwikowski, the company aims to lead the space in interoperability, allowing seamless integration with other blockchain ecosystems. Pixels is building a universe with a variety of games catering to different types of players, enhancing the accessibility and appeal of blockchain gaming. Since its launch in 2020, Pixels has raised $7.32 million to further expand its platform and develop new in-game experiences.
2. Superform Labs
- Founded: 2022
- Location: Miami, Florida, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Service Industry
- Number of Employees: 1-10
- Funding Raised: $3M (Latest Round: Dec 12, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $9.5M
Superform Labs is a Miami-based blockchain company specializing in decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions. It operates a non-custodial yield marketplace, enabling users to access ERC-4626 vaults across any EVM-compatible blockchain. By streamlining access to crypto yield markets, Superform Labs aims to simplify DeFi investing while maintaining security and decentralization. Since its founding in 2022, the company has raised $9.5 million to enhance its platform and expand its impact in the evolving digital finance ecosystem.
3. Masa
- Founded: 2021
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Data Management, Web3
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Funding Raised: $8.9M (Latest Round: Dec 18, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $8.9M
Masa is a decentralized data marketplace that compensates users for their data contributions, aiming to disrupt traditional centralized credit infrastructure. The platform includes a non-fungible credit report, composable credit primitives, smart contracts, and liquidity pools to support scalable and interoperable on-chain identity solutions for the Web3 ecosystem. By creating a standardized framework for digital identity, Masa is bridging the gap between decentralized finance (DeFi) and real-world financial services. Since its founding in 2021, the company has raised $8.9 million to further develop its Web3 data infrastructure.
4. Zerobase
- Founded: 2024
- Location: Los Altos, California, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Consulting, Cryptocurrency
- Number of Employees: 1-10
- Funding Raised: $5M (Latest Round: Oct 18, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $5M
Zerobase is a real-time zero-knowledge (ZK) prover network focused on speed, decentralization, and regulatory compliance. It generates ZK proofs within milliseconds and utilizes its HUB ring-wake mechanism to achieve decentralized, fast consensus, making it suitable for large-scale commercial applications. By prioritizing efficiency and compliance, Zerobase aims to enhance the scalability and adoption of ZK-proof technology in blockchain ecosystems. Since its founding in 2024, the company has secured $5 million in funding to advance its decentralized proving network.
5. GEODNET
- Founded: September 20, 2021
- Location: Los Altos, California, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Geospatial
- Number of Employees: 1-10
- Funding Raised: $7M (Latest Round: Oct 29, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $7M
GEODNET (Global Earth Observation Decentralized Network) is a decentralized network of space weather mining stations that track the real-time influence of solar winds on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. This data enhances GNSS accuracy, providing centimeter-level positioning and nano-second-level time precision for applications such as autonomous navigation, agriculture, and earthquake monitoring. In the blockchain space, GEODNET enables decentralized mapping, location-aware smart contracts, and Proof-of-Location and Time services. The network operates using its native utility token, GEOD, for data access fees, miner rewards, and governance. Since its founding in 2021, GEODNET has raised $7 million to expand its decentralized geospatial infrastructure.
6. Omega
- Founded: 2023
- Location: Miami, Florida, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Web3
- Number of Employees: 1-10
- Funding Raised: $6M (Latest Round: Feb 6, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $6M
Omega is a Web3 infrastructure provider that enables users to collateralize idle Bitcoin for decentralized finance (DeFi) yield generation. By bridging Bitcoin with DeFi, Omega offers new financial opportunities for BTC holders, allowing them to earn yield while maintaining exposure to their assets. The company aims to enhance liquidity and efficiency in the DeFi ecosystem. Since its founding in 2023, Omega has raised $6 million to further develop its platform and expand its role in the Web3 financial infrastructure.
7. AminoChain
- Founded: 2022
- Location: New York, New York, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Health Care
- Number of Employees: 1-10
- Funding Raised: $5M (Latest Round: Sep 25, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $5.7M
AminoChain is a blockchain-based platform that facilitates the handling of biosamples by linking data from healthcare companies. It enables users to manage bio-sample inventories, maintain ownership of their assets, and streamline procurement, agreements, and payments within a single ecosystem. The company focuses on tokenizing stem cells for regenerative therapy and creating incentives for donors to participate in the process. By integrating blockchain technology into healthcare, AminoChain enhances transparency, security, and collaboration in the biosample industry. Since its founding in 2022, the company has raised $5.7 million to advance its mission.
8. Kinetic
- Founded: April 19, 2022
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency
- Number of Employees: 1-10
- Funding Raised: $10M (Latest Round: Dec 5, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $10M
Kinetic is a frontier technology lab focused on innovating within the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. Positioned at the cutting edge of digital asset exchange and decentralized finance, Kinetic aims to redefine the future of financial transactions and blockchain interoperability. With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of Web3 technology, the company is developing advanced solutions to enhance efficiency, scalability, and security in digital asset exchanges. Since its founding in 2022, Kinetic has secured $10 million in funding to drive its mission forward.
9. Ava Protocol
- Founded: October 1, 2021
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Funding Raised: $4.5M (Latest Round: June 11, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $10M
Ava Protocol is an intent-based Eigenlayer AVS designed to enable private and autonomous transactions across decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and other blockchain applications. By leveraging event-driven execution models, Ava Protocol facilitates scheduled payments, stop-loss orders, streaming rewards, and cross-chain transactions triggered by factors such as time, price fluctuations, or smart contract updates. Its technology enhances decentralized applications (dApps) with automated functions while maintaining privacy and security. Since its founding in 2021, Ava Protocol has raised $10 million to further its vision of a seamless and efficient blockchain ecosystem.
10. StarTower
- Founded: March 2022
- Location: New York, New York, USA
- Industry: Blockchain, Finance
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Funding Raised: €3M (Latest Round: August 9, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: €8M
StarTower is a blockchain-based platform focused on decentralized resource sharing and interaction. Utilizing its proprietary RIP encryption technology, StarTower enables secure, efficient, and lossless data transmission across mobile devices, supporting sectors such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, industrial automation, and healthcare. By optimizing decentralized physical infrastructure and shared interactions, the company aims to revolutionize resource management and data security. Since its inception in 2022, StarTower has secured €8 million in funding to advance its vision of a fully decentralized digital ecosystem.
Conclusion
The blockchain industry is rapidly evolving, with companies pioneering innovations across finance, gaming, Web3, and decentralized infrastructure. From secure data marketplaces to play-to-earn gaming ecosystems and DeFi solutions, these companies are reshaping digital interactions with transparency and efficiency. As blockchain adoption continues to expand, these organizations are driving the future of decentralized technology, enabling greater security, automation, and accessibility across industries. With continued investment and development, blockchain’s potential to revolutionize traditional systems remains limitless.
FAQs
Q. What is blockchain technology, and why is it important?
Answer: Blockchain is a decentralized, secure, and transparent digital ledger technology that records transactions across multiple computers. It is important because it enhances security, reduces fraud, and enables trustless interactions in industries such as finance, gaming, supply chain, and healthcare.
Q. What are DeFi and Web3, and how are they related to blockchain?
Answer: DeFi (Decentralized Finance) refers to financial services built on blockchain, eliminating the need for traditional banks. Web3 is the next generation of the internet, leveraging blockchain to create decentralized platforms, giving users greater control over their data and assets.
Q. What are the main challenges facing blockchain startups?
Answer: Blockchain startups face challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, scalability issues, security risks, adoption barriers, and competition from traditional industries. Overcoming these requires innovation, compliance, and widespread education.