Global investment management firm VanEck has announced the launch of VanEck Ventures, a $30 million venture fund focused on early-stage startups in fintech, digital assets, and artificial intelligence.
Expanding into Venture Capital
VanEck, managing over $118 billion in assets, is extending its presence in the innovation sector. Exploring the world of venture capital, the company targets high-potential startups in finance. VanEck Ventures will be led by Wyatt Lonergan and Juan Lopez, seasoned investors with experience in crypto and fintech. Their leadership is based on previous roles at Circle Ventures, where they oversaw investments in young companies.
Focus on Fintech, Digital Assets, and AI
The new fund will target startups working at the convergence of fintech, digital assets, and AI. From tokenized assets to next-generation payment systems, the focus is on companies building infrastructure and applications shaping the future of the financial ecosystem. Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, stated, “Our long-term view has always been to identify disruptive opportunities early. This fund takes that vision into the venture space, and we're excited to support founders building the future of finance.” Lopez highlighted the importance of blockchain-based innovations, stating that stablecoins will act as an "open-source banking layer," providing businesses with scalable, near-instant payment solutions.
VanEck’s Long History in Crypto
VanEck was one of the first major asset managers to enter the cryptocurrency space. It made headlines in 2017 with its Bitcoin ETF filing. Recently, the company launched spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. The VanEck Ventures fund will focus on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, aiming to invest in 25 to 35 startups with checks ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. These companies will offer a mix of financial and strategic value, with a clear emphasis on fintech and blockchain applications. Four undisclosed investments have already been made as part of the first fund.
VanEck Ventures aims to support early enterprises with flexible investment structures for both equity and token projects. The company believes in these startups' significant role in shaping the future of finance.