Alchemy, which builds Web3 infrastructure for decentralized applications, launched a venture capital arm called Alchemy Ventures in late 2021. The firm invests off the main company's balance sheet and focuses on backing early-stage investors. While returns are still important, the firm has three primary goals: attracting early-stage founders to the Alchemy ecosystem, gathering strategic intel to make better decisions for the Alchemy roadmap, and growing out the main team through acquihires or full acquisitions. Alchemy Ventures invests an average of $150,000 to $250,000 per company, with about three-quarters of the investments in pre-seed or seed stage rounds. The firm offers operational support, including early product feedback, customer introductions, and recruiting. Alchemy Ventures has made 84 investments to date across two portfolio tracks.

(By Brandy Betz)