The Sei Foundation has announced the launch of a $65 million investment fund aimed at supporting decentralized science startups. This initiative, named Sapien Capital – Open Science Fund 1, is designed to back projects that are exclusively building on Sei’s layer-1 blockchain. The fund is entirely financed by the Sei Foundation, with no external capital committed at this stage. However, the foundation has indicated that it may collaborate with external investors or limited partners in the future.

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Decentralized science is an emerging field that seeks to expand access to research funding while ensuring fair compensation for scientists. The sector is gaining traction as an alternative to traditional research institutions, where funding is often controlled by centralized entities. By leveraging blockchain technology, decentralized science allows researchers to share and access data on-chain, enhancing transparency and strengthening decentralized communities. This approach promotes the accessibility of scientific knowledge and has potential applications in fields such as healthcare and biotechnology.

Investment Strategy and Capital Deployment

Unlike grant-based funding models, Sapien Capital – Open Science Fund 1 will operate through venture capital, providing investments in both equity and tokens. The fund will deploy capital in check sizes ranging from $100,000 to $2 million. The Sei Foundation plans to allocate the full $65 million within the next three to four years, supporting the development of infrastructure, applications, and communities that will drive the decentralized science ecosystem forward.

Justin Barlow, head of business development and investments at Sei Foundation, emphasized the potential of decentralized science, stating that it has the capacity to scale significantly due to its broad impact and the vast number of stakeholders involved in healthcare, science, and biotech. He highlighted that the foundation’s goal is to empower visionary founders who are building the necessary frameworks to support and expand this growing sector.

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The Future of Decentralized Science

As decentralized science continues to evolve, initiatives such as Sapien Capital – Open Science Fund 1 could play a significant role in enhancing innovation and accessibility in scientific research. By utilizing blockchain technology, the fund aims to reshape the way research is funded and conducted, creating a more decentralized and transparent system that benefits the global scientific community.