Lightning ⚡️ Ventures 2023 Wrap Up

The Year In Review!

The 2023 Year in Review!

Happy New Year, Bitcoiners!

What Lightning⚡️Ventures did? We’ve got a quick year-in-review of our investments for 2023. Hey…. What is Lightning⚡️Ventures? We’re like a routing node for venture capital into Bitcoin startups! We open “channels” with founders and support our portfolio companies as best we can. You can join us here!

Bear markets are not just for building but also for investing! What a ride it’s been! We invested in 18 (L'Chaim) awesome Bitcoin-only startups through our syndicate. Bitcoin's been on fire this year, and she’s just getting started. We're on the edge of the next Bitcoin bull market and super excited about all our “beloved portfolio darlings.” Stay tuned, folks. The best is yet to come! Let’s run through what we did in 2023!

Geyser
February 2023

Geyser 🌊 is your go-to spot for getting projects funded with Bitcoin. It's like a digital, uncensorable tip jar that's all about helping folks worldwide. Whether you're teaching, coding, or creating, Geyser's got your back! Receive financial support directly into your Bitcoin wallet or connect your node. Fund a few projects, show some support, or even start raising yourself. We’re excited to support Mick, Stellios, and the Geyser team on their mission to “let the sats flow.”

CoinCorner
February 2023

Yo! Buying Bitcoin in Europe? How about Dubai? CoinCorner makes it easy, even if you're not a tech whiz. They’ve been around for 10 years! They keep it simple and even have this nifty Bitcoin bolt card. One of the first exchanges to integrate Lightning! Based on the Isle of Man, CoinCorner has merchant tools and business accounts. They’re also plugged into Strike’s Send Globally Network. We’re excited to support Danny and the whole team. More to come. Stay tuned

Relai
February 2023
December 2023

Yes, we invested in Relai twice this year, and their growth has been record-breaking. It is always nice to see NGU technology with valuations, and that has definitely been the case with Relai. Relai is a Swiss🇨🇭company that started by offering non-custodial instant buys. They now have an OTC desk (Relai Private) and offer support for businesses (Relai Business). They also just added a Lightning integration (via Breez, another LV portfolio company). CEO Julian is an all-star! Forbes 30 under 30, woot woot. He, his co-founder, Adem, and the entire Relai team have had a record-breaking, face-melting 2023! Keep an eye on them!

Ibex
February 2023

Ibex is the behind-the-scenes hero for businesses diving into Bitcoin's Lightning Network. Ibex is a Bitcoin infrastructure company specializing in Lightning Network enterprise solutions. They offer Lightning-as-a-Service infrastructure for quick, scalable deployment, enabling companies to interact with the Lightning Network and its functionalities through a set of intuitive APIs. Ibex's work contributes to the growth and adoption of Bitcoin. They make it a breeze to set up and scale, so you can zap those Bitcoin transactions lightning-fast!

Fountain
April 2023

Fountain is a value-for-value podcasting app with Bitcoin monetization, which makes podcasting social and interactive. Fountain also lets you earn Bitcoin just by tuning into your favorite shows. It's like getting a high-five in Bitcoin every time you hit play. Stack sats when you listen to your podcasts or people boost your clips. Share, create, and refer friends! If you’re a podcaster and haven’t claimed your show on Fountain, what are you waiting for? This innovative model of rewarding user engagement and direct payments to Bitcoin creators is pretty cool. Oscar, Nick, and the team have been super busy and excited with the release of their v1.0 update. Congrats.

Satsback
May 2023

Shop 'til you drop and earn Bitcoin while you're at it! Satsback is a Bitcoin cashback and rewards program that allows users to earn rewards effortlessly when making online purchases. Born in Europe and now live in the US. With many global partners! Download their browser extension here. Satsback offers seamless wallet integration, withdrawals, and automatic Lightning payments. This enables their customers to stack extra sats at no cost while shopping from one of their partnered merchants. This was our second investment into Satsback, which has had incredible growth, all-time high volumes, and is expanding globally. Kudos to Tom and Leon.

THNDR Games
May 2023

Gamers, stacking sats! THNDR Games has high scores with Bitcoiners. We’re psyched to have made our second investment.  They've got these cool mobile games where you can earn real Bitcoin. It's all about making Bitcoin fun and accessible. THNDR has released a series of play-to-earn (P2E) mobile games, including "Bitcoin Blocks," a Sudoku and Tetris-inspired game, and "Club Bitcoin: Solitaire." THNDR Games makes Bitcoin more accessible and engaging for new users and is expanding the adoption of Bitcoin among diverse global audiences. Des and Jack rock; if you see them, say hi!

Hey Bitcoiners, wanna meet your tribe? The Orange Pill App is where it's at! Find new friends, chat about Bitcoin, and join the community. It's like a Bitcoin party in your pocket! It allows users to find, chat, and meet with other Bitcoiners online and in real life. Ticketing, merchant services, events, and more are on the roadmap for 2024. The app aims to foster community among Bitcoiners and is available on Android and iOS platforms. It's a great tool for those looking to connect with like-minded individuals and expand their network within the Bitcoin community. We’re excited to support Matteo, and OPA user growth is growing like crazy. Just like the Bitcoin price. Signup here.

Vida
July 2023

Tired of spam? Vida Global's got your back with their AI-powered blocker. Vida offers a customizable AI agent to screen phone and email services. This blocks unwanted spam by valuing your time. Plus, you can get paid just for being contacted. It's all about turning your time into money and making every connection count. It also provides a platform for people to connect via paid calls and live streams. Vida Global redefines what it means to be a fan by turning ambitious creators into global brands through unmatched personalized fan experiences. Our hats are off to Lyle, Brandon, and Noah, who have built a stellar product! This was our second investment in Vida. Give it a shot and sign up here.

Scarce.City
August 2023

YOLO! We made our second investment in Scarce.City, a vibrant marketplace and community using Bitcoin technology to transform e-commerce. Their flagship product, Scarce.City, sells artwork, collectibles, and other “fine Bitcoin goods.” Their other brands include Satscrap, an eBay-style marketplace for selling anything. Earlier this year, they also launched Pepe Flyers, a cool streetwear brand. Finally, Ord.City is a marketplace for trading all those pesky Ordinals that everyone is complaining about. Scarce.City has expanded the core functionality of Bitcoin for use as collateral in their auctions. Marketplace sellers are accountable for delivering sold goods through a small refundable deposit. They keep nearly 100% of their treasury in Bitcoin. They’re loving this price action, and we love them too. Check it out. Cheers to Chris and Aryan… aka, the webmaster 🙂 

OrdinalsBot
September 2023

Well, our one and only investment in the Ordinals space. This leading inscription service generated a whopping $2 million in revenue in a matter of weeks. They finished the year even stronger. Love it or hate it, they’re here to stay. It's a playground for making all sorts of digital collectibles on Bitcoin. OrdinalsBot is a pioneering platform that empowers creators and developers to explore the untapped potential of Bitcoin's Ordinals protocol. It provides accessible tools and resources for inscriptions, token creation, digital collectibles, and more, fostering innovation, security, and community growth within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The platform allows users to inscribe various file types onto specific satoshi types. They’re also putting together a nice round at a much larger valuation. Congratulations to the team and those who invested.

Pnkfrg Studios
October 2023

Pnkfrg Studios is shaking up how we hang out online by making socializing a game. It's not just about winning; it's about playing, sharing, and creating memories. It's similar to TikTok but with a gaming component. This team scaled the Candy Crush Saga blockbuster and has extensive experience! Turn scrolling into playing and earn Bitcoin! Pnkfrg aims to reimagine social interactions by making them playable. Their ultimate mission is to end the endless scroll and turn everyone into vibrant and rewarded co-creators, thereby connecting the world through play.

GetBit
December 2023

GetBit Money is building India’s first Bitcoin-only exchange! They also have a remittance service that is more affordable and easier than that of the large incumbents. Instant, due to its Lightning Network integration. You can send USD to INR simply, quickly, and cheaply. Bullish on the 8 billion people in India. That’s a lot of Bitcoiners. Built by ex-Amazonians with strong financial experience. The team has been working hard. We’re excited to track their progress and support them in 2024.

Satoshi
December 2023

Satoshi, the Bitcoin App! Buy, sell, earn, and learn. Led by our good pal Chris Hunter (Galoy, Bitcoin Beach Wallet), he’s out to build the best all-in-one solution. Bridging the gap between traditional finance and a Bitcoin standard. The road map includes card products, lending, custodial, and non-custodial options in one place. Their Bitcoin education meets the user wherever they are on their journey. Also, they’re rolling out the most impressive and generous referral structure we've ever seen. Currently in test flight; hit us up if you want to try it out. The wallet works and looks beautiful. Congrats to them, and stay tuned for updates.

Strike
December 2023

We had a chance to double down on a rare and small allocation into one of the most beloved Bitcoin companies, led by all-star orange piller Jack Mallers. They’re live in 65 countries! With the recent launch of Strike Private, adding wire transfers, direct deposits, and more. It’s been a busy year for them. This was a secondary transaction, and we’re glad to have been able to help facilitate it. Strike is a payment platform that allows users to send and receive money anywhere in the world with nearly zero fees. It uses the Bitcoin network to enable instant, global, and free payments, making it a great tool for businesses and individuals. Strike is a great onboarding experience for US people looking for a simple exchange and wallet experience.

Current and PlebAi - NOSTR is still in the early days, and Current has been all over it. Their mobile client (iOS and Android) has many unique features. There is a built-in Bitcoin wallet, AI functionality, and more. Generate images right there on the spot. They bring social media and AI together. Their other product, PlebAI, does not use any closed-source large language models (LLMs). No email or credit card is required. Chat history is only stored in the browser. Create your own public or private agent and earn from the community. Try it out; it's super cool. This deal will be open for a few more days. Check it out here.

Slice
Raising

Fresh out of the Wolf Bitcoin accelerator. Over 520k downloads. Woot woot. This is our second investment in Slice, and it’s no secret we love the company. Want to stack some extra slots just by browsing the web? Slice shares the ad revenue with you. Keep your fair share and get paid for your eyeballs. Their extension works right alongside your ad blocker. It's a no-brainer way to earn free Bitcoin. Users are getting paid for every ad. Earn more from their Slice Tab, Bing search integration, paid surveys, and more. Slice's mission is to give users their fair share of the digital advertising pie, with earnings available for withdrawal at any time. Congrats to the team, which has lots of interest from some fancy VCs. We’ll keep you posted. Check out the deal here.

That’s it, y’all! It was a crazy 2023, and we’re ready to rock on in 2024.

Start Angel Investing in Bitcoin Companies!

Yo, my dudes and dudettes! Are you getting these emails and not yet up and running with investing in Bitcoin startups? Get rolling on your angel investing journey for as little as $1k per investment with Lightning Ventures. Reply to this email or reach out for custom onboarding.

Lightning⚡️Ventures

You received this email because we think you’re cool. If you want to take your ball and go home, click below. It’s all good. Unsubscribe