Picture Josefa, a genius Filipino coder who floated her DeFi exchange up from an internet coffee shop in Manila. She's got the tech, the vision, and the grit, but she's banging her head against a wall trying to secure funding. VCs in Silicon Valley are not even willing to meet with her. The distance is not measured in time zones alone. It’s a world away in terms of relationships and cultural empathy.

Spain’s new Tritemius Fund is debuting with €21 million to deploy across seed rounds of Web3 startups. If designed well, this new fund could be an enormous game-changer for the industry. You might think, "Spain? What does Spain have to do with Asian startups?" Everything, potentially.

This fund — run by Abante and advised by local firm Tritemius Capital — is not your average VC chasing the next unicorn. For example, Spain announced the creation of its first regulated venture capital fund entirely dedicated to Web3. The CNMV has now authorized this fund as a European Venture Capital Fund (FCRE). This regulatory stamp of approval increases trust and legitimacy. This attracts a wealth of European and Asian investors, looking for a more secure pathway into the Web3 ecosystem. This trust is ENORMOUS, particularly in a sector that is still dealing with risk perceptions.

Consider the entrepreneurial talent brewing all throughout Southeast Asia. Countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia are teeming with creative, inventive talent. Picture this, many entrepreneurs in the Global South don’t have the same access to capital and mentorship as their peers in the West. These are the overlooked heroes of Web3, those creating extraordinary breakthroughs on a shoestring budget.

  • It's about building a global bridge, not just a local network.
  • Spain's regulated environment adds credibility to the fund.
  • It's a chance to level the playing field for Asian founders.

The Tritemius Fund’s emphasis on pre-seed to pre-Series A startups is particularly key. It is at this nascent stage that funding can truly be the difference between success or failure for a company. An average investment of €500,000, with reserves for follow-on rounds, can be transformative, allowing these startups to scale their operations, hire top talent, and expand into new markets.

The fund’s areas of focus are all hot lines of inquiry, including DeFi, blockchain infrastructure, cybersecurity, tokenization and more. Asian startups are already leading the charge in all of these areas. Now imagine a Vietnamese startup leveraging the fund’s global network to build partnerships with European financial institutions. Now picture that same funding being directed towards the development by an Indonesian company of a world-class cybersecurity solution for decentralized systems.

The impact goes beyond individual startups. Aside from establishing a positive precedent, this fund might create a ripple effect attracting other European VC firms to invest in Asian Web3 projects. Beyond that, it may spur similar funds to come up in other Asian countries, continuing to energize the local Web3 ecosystem.

Imagine an alternative universe where Asian Web3 startups enjoyed better access to global capital, talent and markets. A future where the curiosity and talent of American innovation aren’t hindered by their location, but instead inspired by a vibrant and connected community of investors and entrepreneurs. That's the promise of the Tritemius Fund.

  • Is the playing field level?
  • Can meritocracy truly exist?
  • Or does geography dictate destiny?

The question now is: Will Asian founders seize this opportunity? Whether Asian investors recognize this potential for co-investment and collaboration remains to be seen. Incorporating that answer could unlock the potential that Web3 offers to build a future where everyone around the world can participate in the digital economy. It’s not all about the cash though—it’s time to invest in a better, more distributed future for us all.

The fund targets areas like DeFi, blockchain infrastructure, cybersecurity, and tokenization – all areas where Asian startups are already making significant strides. Imagine a Vietnamese startup leveraging the fund's network to secure partnerships with European financial institutions, or an Indonesian company using the funding to develop a cutting-edge cybersecurity solution for decentralized systems.

The Ripple Effect, A Future of Shared Growth

But the impact goes beyond individual startups. This fund could trigger a ripple effect, attracting more European VC firms to invest in Asian Web3 projects. It could also inspire similar funds to emerge in Asia, further boosting the local Web3 scene.

Consider a world where Asian Web3 startups have greater access to global capital, expertise, and markets. A world where innovation isn't limited by geography, but fueled by a diverse network of investors and entrepreneurs. That's the promise of the Tritemius Fund.

The question now is: Will Asian founders seize this opportunity? Will investors in Asia see the potential for co-investment and collaboration? The answer could reshape the future of Web3, creating a truly global and inclusive ecosystem. It's not just about money; it's about building a better, more decentralized future for everyone.