Investor Profile: Paper Ventures — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

For founders building in web3, getting Paper Ventures funding means pitching a London-based, early-stage firm that set out to be first into new blockchain ideas. Paper Ventures launched a $25 million venture capital fund for blockchain startups in early 2024, capped deliberately at that size so the team could stay hands-on with early-stage projects rather than chase large, late-stage deals.

Investment thesis

The firm's stated mission is to be at the very forefront of innovation, backing groundbreaking ideas that redefine technology and finance, with a belief in the transformative power of blockchain. Its positioning, in its own words and in trade coverage, is founder-first and first-in: it looks for pioneering teams at their earliest stages, where its experience and networks can add the most value. That early, conviction-led approach is the core of the thesis, rather than a sector-spanning, index-style portfolio.

Sectors, stages and cheque size

Paper Ventures invests primarily at pre-seed, seed and Series A stages, with a focus on blockchain technology, high-tech and emerging technology more broadly, including decentralised infrastructure, gaming and consumer crypto applications. The overall fund size is $25 million; individual cheque sizes are not publicly disclosed. The firm was founded in 2023 and is headquartered in London, according to investor databases, and its portfolio skews to blockchain and high-tech companies.

Notable portfolio

Published coverage of the firm's early deals names digital identity solution Holonym, entertainment-focused superchain Sophon and crypto casino Monkey Tilt among its investments. It has also participated in rounds such as the $6.5 million seed round for TAC, the TON network extension bringing Ethereum applications to Telegram users, alongside firms including Hack VC and Symbolic Capital. Investor databases put the portfolio at around 25 companies.

Partners and team

Paper Ventures was founded by Danish Chaudhry, Oliver Blakey and Ivailo Jordanov, who bring experience in web3 investing dating back to 2010. Blakey, a former professional poker player and co-founder of Ascensive Assets, has spoken publicly about the firm's mission, while Chaudhry brings a financial background spanning firms including Ernst & Young and BlackRock, according to founder profiles.

Programmes run

No standalone, named accelerator programme run by Paper Ventures was found in the sources reviewed for this profile. The support it describes is hands-on and founder-facing: the founders say they aim not only to inject capital but to nurture the projects they back, using their experience and networks to give portfolio companies resources and connections. Founders should therefore judge the firm on its direct involvement, not on a structured programme with cohorts or a published curriculum.

How to apply for funding from Paper Ventures

Paper Ventures does not publish a detailed application form or cheque-size schedule on its public site, which offers a founders section. The practical route for founders is therefore to approach the firm through its official site at paper.ventures, using the founders section there, with a concise case for why the project is genuinely early, why blockchain is essential rather than decorative, and what the team has already built. A warm introduction from a co-investor or portfolio founder is likely to help, given the firm's small, relationship-driven team.