GBIC

GBIC, or Global Blockchain Innovative Capital, emerged as a significant player in the cryptocurrency and blockchain investment landscape, particularly active during the industry's formative years around 2017-2018. Headquartered in New York, the firm positioned itself as both an investor and an accelerator, aiming to identify and nurture early-stage blockchain projects with high growth potential. Their strategic focus was on foundational technologies and applications that sought to drive the adoption and development of decentralized ecosystems.

The firm's investment thesis centered on providing crucial capital and strategic guidance to nascent blockchain ventures. GBIC was known for its participation in private sales and seed rounds, often deploying substantial capital to help projects scale. While specific first check sizes can vary depending on the project's stage and capital requirements, reports indicate that GBIC typically deployed between $1 million and $10 million into promising ventures, reflecting their commitment to significant early-stage backing. This range allowed them to take meaningful positions in projects requiring substantial initial funding.

GBIC built a diverse portfolio spanning various segments of the blockchain industry, including infrastructure, decentralized finance (DeFi), and dApps. Their investment track record includes participation in over two dozen projects, with Crunchbase listing 27 distinct investments. Notable portfolio companies include ThunderCore, a high-performance blockchain, and QuarkChain, a sharding-based blockchain architecture. Beyond capital, GBIC often leveraged its network and expertise to provide operational support, helping portfolio companies navigate the complex regulatory and technological challenges inherent in the rapidly evolving crypto space.