Investor Profile: 1kx — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Founders exploring 1kx funding are looking at a research-driven global investment firm specialising in blockchain. Founded in 2018 by tech entrepreneurs Lasse Clausen and Chris Heymann, 1kx describes its mission as "making trust instant, open and programmable" — underwriting on fundamentals, committing across cycles, and partnering with founders building configurations that compound, "the ones that require a blockchain to exist". The firm's own stats: 168 investments, 19 profitable exits, 12 unicorns and 33 founder nationalities.

Investment thesis

The founding claim: trust was about to become contestable, and the largest outcomes in technology accrue to the networks and companies that compress its cost. The operating rules are stated plainly — "We underwrite on fundamentals. We commit across cycles. We partner with founders building configurations that compound." Total AUM is not publicly disclosed, but a verified data point exists: in March 2024, 1kx closed a US$75 million crypto VC fund, with Marc Andreessen and Galaxy reported among its investors. The LP base is described as including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, foundations, fund of funds, corporations and family offices.

Sectors, stages and cheque size

Sectors cover blockchain infrastructure (L1s, scaling), onchain finance and DeFi, stablecoin payments, wallets and consumer. Stages run venture-wide: early-stage through growth, including liquid token positions, with the firm explicitly committing across cycles. One verified cheque: 1kx led Rhinestone's US$5m seed round in August 2024; it also backed Camp Network's US$30m raise in April 2025.

Notable portfolio and leadership

The official portfolio page includes Arweave (decentralised permanent data storage, 2018), Matter Labs (zkSync L2 scaling infrastructure, 2019), Nexus Mutual (decentralised insurance, 2019), Polkadot (multi-chain protocol, 2019), Rocket Pool (decentralised ETH staking, 2020), Solana (2022), Superstate (blockchain-based financial products, 2023), Cryptio (crypto accounting, 2024), Rhinestone and Camp Network.

Founding Partners are Lasse Clausen and Chris Heymann (also rendered Christopher Heymann on the official site). The firm positions research as a core function, not a side project.

Programmes run by the firm

1kx runs no accelerator. Its programmes are research-led: the Onchain Revenue Report (inaugural 2025 edition counted US$20bn in onchain fees), the Onchain Revenue Dashboard, and the newsletter "Research, in your inbox." For founders, these are a window into exactly how the firm values onchain businesses.

How to get funding from 1kx

There is no public pitch or application form on 1kx.capital — the site offers newsletter signup and a media contact only. Founders typically reach the firm through the crypto research and founder network, with the research output as the common ground: if your project fits the firm's published thinking on onchain revenue and compounding configurations, that is your conversation starter.