Lisk Rolls Out $15M Web3 Fund to Spark Innovation in Africa

LATAM, and BeyondLisk, a key player in Web3 tech, has kicked off a $15 million fund called Lisk EMpower to back early startups in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This move shines a light on fast-growing spots where new financial tools are catching on quick, but big money from investors is hard to find. The fund isn't just handing out cash—it's offering advice on rules, digital tokens, and raising more funds to help these companies grow big. Already, Lisk has made its first moves in South Africa and Rwanda, showing how Web3 can fix real problems in everyday business.

Think of Web3 as the next step in the internet world, built on blockchains that let people control their own data and money without big banks or tech giants in charge. Lisk helps build these tools, making it easier for startups to create apps for secure payments or tracking goods. In places like Africa and Latin America, where cash is king but banks are scarce, Web3 opens doors for small farmers or shop owners to send money or sell stuff across borders without high fees. The EMpower Fund targets these "frontier" economies—areas that grow faster than richer countries but get overlooked by most investors who see them as too risky.The fund will dish out up to $250,000 to each early-stage startup, focusing on ideas that blend Web3 with real needs, like better supply chains or stable digital money. What makes it stand out is its setup: the fund itself uses Web3 tricks, turning investor shares into tokens that could be traded later. This means people putting money in won't have to wait 10 years to cash out, like in old-school venture funds. It's a smart fix for a clunky system, proving Web3 can make investing fairer and faster.Right out of the gate, Lisk has backed four promising outfits.

In South Africa, Lov.cash is getting support to smooth out digital supply chains, helping businesses track orders from farm to store without mix-ups. Over in Rwanda, Afrikabal is building an app to connect farmers with buyers, cutting waste and boosting sales for crops like coffee or maize. These picks highlight the fund's sweet spot: fixing supply chain headaches in farming and trade, where Africa shines. The other two bets are IDRX in Indonesia, which makes a steady digital coin tied to the local money, and SigraFi, a lending service backed by real gold. No exact dollar amounts were shared, but each gets that hands-on help to scale up.Leaders at Lisk are pumped about this. Gideon Greaves, who heads investments, says founders in these regions build tough products that users love, even with little help. "Where others see risk, we see chances that are priced too low," he notes. Emerging spots aren't shaky—they're just short on cash and know-how, but they're zooming ahead. For Afrikabal's boss, Oghenetejiri Jesse, the fund is a game-changer: it brings money, trust from big names, and a network that turns a small test project into something global.This launch comes at a good time. Web3 took hits from crypto crashes, but it's bouncing back with real uses, like tokenizing assets so folks can own a slice of property or art digitally. In Africa and LATAM, where half the people lack bank accounts, these tools could leapfrog old systems. The fund might pull in more investors who want in on high-growth areas without the usual headaches.

For startups, it's a lifeline to go from idea to big leagues, maybe landing Series A cash next.Challenges remain, sure. Rules around digital money vary wildly, and building trust takes time. But with Lisk's know-how, these startups could lead the way. As more funds like this pop up, they could shift billions into overlooked markets, creating jobs and fresh ideas. It's a bet on grit over glamour, and if it pays off, Web3 could redefine business from the ground

Africa and LATAM are full of smart founders solving big problems—investors should look beyond "risk" to spot fast-scaling wins.From farm tracking to digital loans, these tools cut costs and open markets, showing blockchain's power for everyday folks.Digitizing investor shares adds speed and fairness to old investing rules—a trick more funds might copy soon.

Lisk's quick deals in SA and Rwanda prove acting fast pays off, urging startups to chase product fits before cash hunts.