In a move set to shake up the world of startup investing, Lightning Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm in the Bitcoin and open-source technology space, announced the launch of Thunder Funder, a groundbreaking Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) portal. This innovative platform is set to democratize early-stage technology investing in open-source startups, making it accessible to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
The launch comes at a time when interest in open-source and Bitcoin is at an all-time high. Thunder Funder is designed to revolutionize the ways these projects are funded. By leveraging the Reg CF framework, which allows companies to raise up to $5 million annually from the general public, Thunder Funder is positioned to capitalize on this growing interest while providing new opportunities into largely unaccessible areas for individual and especially retail investors.
Mike Jarmuz, CEO of Thunder Funder, explained the vision behind the platform:
„Lightning Ventures‘ core mission has always been to be a routing node for venture capital in the Bitcoin world. With Thunder Funder, we’re activating a new group of retail investors, and expanding our focus into other areas of open-source, like NOSTR.”
The launch comes with significant backing from the Bitcoin community. LTNG Ventures Inc., Thunder Funder’s parent company, closed a $500,000 pre-seed funding round with participation from notable industry figures. Investors include El Zonte Capital, led by Cory Klippsten, Max Keiser, and Stacy Herbert, as well as Brad Mills, Chris Hunter, and Lyle Pratt.
Cory Klippsten, CEO of Swan Bitcoin and General Partner of El Zonte Capital, expressed enthusiasm for the project:
„El Zonte Capital is excited to support Thunder Funder’s mission to bridge the gap between retail investors and Bitcoin startups.“
Lightning Ventures brings a strong track record to this new venture. The firm previously deployed a pilot fund investing in nearly 40 Bitcoin-only companies and operated what it claims was the world’s largest Bitcoin-focused investing network, with over 2,000 members who invested $6,800,000 in Bitcoin-only companies.
The founding team of Thunder Funder boasts significant experience in the Bitcoin and fintech sectors. Alongside CEO Mike Jarmuz, the team includes CTO Uncle „Rockstar“ Dev, formerly of Strike and a major contributor to BTCPay Server, and COO Vivek Patel, previously of PrimeTrust and an active Bitcoin angel investor.
Chris Hunter, a serial Bitcoin startup entrepreneur, commented on the launch:
„It’s exciting to see Lightning Ventures continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this space.“
The official announcement of Thunder Funder took place last week at Bitcoin 2024 in Nashville, where details about the platform and its operations were revealed.
As the open-source and Bitcoin investment sectors continue to evolve, platforms like Thunder Funder could play a crucial role in shaping the future of tech investment. By opening up opportunities to a broader range of investors, they have the potential to accelerate innovation and growth.
For those interested in learning more about Thunder Funder and its investment opportunities, visit ThunderFunder.com. Additional information about Lightning Ventures can be found at LTNG.Ventures.
About Thunder Funder
Thunder Funder is a Reg CF Funding Portal revolutionizing how people invest in open-source technology. The platform provides opportunities for both accredited and non-accredited investors to support innovative startups in the open-source and Bitcoin spaces.
About Lightning Ventures
Lightning Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on investing in and supporting the next generation of market-defining Bitcoin companies.
Source:
>> Press Release Thunder Funder, Julay 31, 2024
