The Sei Foundation announced the launch of the $65 million Sapien Capital—Open Science Fund I to support decentralized science (DeSci) startups, aiming to revolutionize scientific research.
Investment Goals and Fund Allocation
The fund will invest in both tokens and equity of DeSci projects, with investments ranging from $100,000 to $2 million. According to Justin Barlow, Sei Foundation’s head of business development and investments, the full $65 million will be deployed over the next three to four years. Unlike typical ecosystem funds, this initiative will focus strictly on venture investments without granting loans. Key focus areas include wearable technology, user-owned data collectives, and gamified drug discovery.
Growth and Challenges of DeSci
Decentralized science is transforming the traditional scientific research landscape, offering transparency, community-driven decision-making, and fair compensation for scientists. However, the sector faces challenges due to the slow adoption of blockchain models by the scientific community. To overcome this, the Sei Foundation plans to collaborate with respected academic institutions and life science companies.
Prospects for Decentralized Science Development
The rise of interest in decentralized science is attracting attention from major players. In November 2023, YZi Labs invested in BIO Protocol, marking one of the first high-profile entries into the sector. Major venture capital firms are also beginning to show interest in funding blockchain-powered science projects.
The Sei Foundation initiative sets a precedent for accelerating the adoption of decentralized scientific models, offering support to innovative projects and partnering with the academic community to overcome existing barriers.
