Thunderstruck - Calling All Bitcoin Builders!⚡️10.2.25

The latest and greatest from the world's largest Bitcoin-focused investing network!

Author

Mike Jarmuz
October 02, 2025

Yo Lightning⚡️Ventures gang, we’ve got some sweet portfolio updates and new Bitcoiner jobs for you to review. But first, if you’re a Bitcoin builder and you haven’t applied to be on CypherTank yet, what are you waiting for?! The first Bitcoin-focused pitch competition of its kind is coming to Lugano during the Plan ₿ Forum. Applications are open until October 10th - you can submit one here. 

We’re calling on the entire Bitcoin community to spread the word. If you know a builder, founder, or non-profit pushing Bitcoin forward, please encourage them to apply. 

  • Prizes include $850k+ in Investments

  • Filmed with a global distribution at the end of 2025

  • Judges include Adam Back, Matt Odell, Paolo Ardoino, Preston Pysh, Mike Jarmuz + others.

Backed by the Plan ₿ Network and the Plan ₿ VC Fund, finalists will compete for over $850,000+ in investments, grants, and acceleration support, while pitching directly to world-class Bitcoin investors and builders. Filmed in Lugano and distributed globally at the end of 2025, CypherTank will spotlight the next wave of Bitcoin pioneers.

Eleven standout projects (8 for-profit + 3 nonprofit) will be invited to showcase breakthrough ideas across on-chain Bitcoin tech, Lightning, peer-to-peer innovation, emerging markets, human rights, science, and the Lugano Bitcoin-Citadel.

The judging panel features some of the most respected names in Bitcoin: Adam Back (Blockstream), Matt Odell (Ten31, OpenSats), Paolo Ardoino (Tether), Preston Pysh (Ego Death), Mike Jarmuz (Lightning Ventures), Oleg Mikhalsky (Fulgur Ventures), Abubakar Nur Khalil (Recursive Capital), and many more still to be announced.

Cypher Tank will feature a Bitcoin all-star panel of judges

Filming will take place in Lugano with the Semifinals on October 22 and the Finals on October 27, during the week of Plan B Forum (Oct 24–25). Edited episodes will be released across YouTube, Rumble, and X by the end of 2025.

Will your pitch turn into the next iconic Bitcoin company? Take the first step and submit an application today!

Heads up! If you're interested in joining the Lightning⚡️Ventures investing network, just reply to this email and we’ll send you the details. You can also join our Telegram channel, or flash a Bat Signal to me to schedule a call or answer your questions.

📣 As a reminder, Lightning⚡️Ventures has a Syndicate, Fund, RegCF Crowdfunding Portal, and Consultancy!

  • Lightning⚡️Ventures is the world’s largest Bitcoin-focused, stage-agnostic, angel investing network! We invest anywhere between $100k - $500k. Join us!

  • Node 2 Fund invests $100k - $1M in Pre-seed and Series A Bitcoin companies. If you would like to schedule a call and discuss, please reply to this email.

  • Thunder Funder is a newly launched Equity Crowdfunding Portal dedicated to Bitcoin and Open-Source projects!

  • Spark Services is a consulting and advisory service that assists early-stage companies in fundraising, go-to-market, guerrilla marketing, product support, scaling, and more!

📈 Portfolio News ICYMI

⚡️ Foundation Devices - Partnership w Cloaked Wireless for Enhanced Privacy

Summary: Announced that every product now includes a free Cloaked Wireless SIM and one-month plan (up to $75 value), promoting digital privacy alongside Bitcoin security.

Summary: Announced backers like Breez, TABConf, and Stacker News, plus speaker Chris Guida, for the event focusing on Bitcoin builders and Lightning development.

Summary: Hosted a live discussion on the importance of Bitcoin nodes, emphasizing their role in sovereignty and network health.

Summary: Hosting an event for developers, engineers, and enthusiasts with practical insights, networking, and project feedback, sponsored by Btrust.

Summary: Published an article in Bitcoin Magazine exploring Bitcoin's potential to unlock value transfer similarly to how the internet unlocked information, highlighting Lightning, subnetworks, and SDKs.

Summary: Highlighted a case where a member paid $500 out-of-pocket, and the community covered $29,500 for a health event.

Summary: Supporting Sazmining's expansion to Ethiopia with Bitcoin, fiat, and Tether payment processing.

Summary: Following JAN3's presentation, MPs proposed establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve and declaring no introduction of a CBDC.

We’ll be at a lot of these events! Say hi.

Work in Bitcoin! There is no second-best career. There’s a ton of open positions at our portfolio companies. Check out the scoop below 👇🏻

Ready to Raise? Let’s Make It Happen.

If you’re a founder who is building on Bitcoin, are you ready to level up? At Lightning Ventures, we work with the best builders in the space, helping them connect with investors who share their passion on all things Bitcoin. Whether you’re developing on Lightning, exploring Taproot Assets, or crafting the next-generation Bitcoin product, we want to hear from you.

Applying is easy — just fill out this form and tell us what you’re working on. We’re here to support bold ideas, spark big conversations, and help you find the right backers to fuel your vision. Let’s build the future together.