Pi Network has announced the launch of a $100 million venture capital fund dedicated to supporting startups that develop real-world applications on its blockchain. This initiative is exclusively focused on expanding the Pi token ecosystem and increasing the utility of the Pi blockchain.
The fund, managed by Pi Network Ventures under the Pi Foundation, will invest in early-stage to Series B companies integrating Pi into various sectors such as AI, fintech, ecommerce, embedded payments, and consumer applications. The $100 million capital combines both Pi tokens and U.S. dollars, sourced from 10% of the total Pi supply allocated for foundation reserves.
This development follows Pi Network's recent Open Network launch, which enabled external connectivity beyond its previous closed mainnet. The fund aims to replicate Silicon Valley-style venture capital processes, including sourcing, selection, and vetting, to foster innovation within the Pi ecosystem. Though there are no major exchange listings or regulatory updates associated with this fund, it represents a strategic move to enhance adoption and practical use cases among Pi's extensive KYC-verified user base.
Since Pi operates a walled-garden mainnet currently restricting external trading and cross-chain token inflows, the broader cryptocurrency market impact is expected to be limited in the short term. However, if Pi Network succeeds in unlocking wider network access and integrating with external financial ecosystems, the initiative could significantly accelerate the protocol's growth and appeal.
Notably, this venture fund is solely supported by the Pi Foundation without other institutional partners. Similar funds from projects like Polygon historically attracted developer migration and increased protocol deployments, serving as a potential model. Stakeholders will need to monitor regulatory, financial, and technological factors that could influence future progress.