Icebreaker Secures $5 Million Seed Funding to Revolutionize Professional Networking with Blockchain Technology

Icebreaker, a groundbreaking blockchain-based platform aiming to be the world's first open-source professional network built on blockchain technology, has announced securing $5 million in seed funding. CoinFund led the investment round, with participation from Accomplice, Anagram, and Legion Capital. Icebreaker's valuation currently sits at $21 million, reflecting the potential investors see in its ability to shake up the dominance of close networks like LinkedIn.

Blockchain powered open network built by Google veterans

Founded in 2023, this has recently drawn the attention of the media due to the amazing credentials of the two founders, Dan Stone and Jack Dillé. Stone was a former product manager at Coinbase and co-creator of Google’s largest cross-identity measurement and marketing platform while Dillé worked as a design lead for Google Workspace.

In early 2021, the duo met through a pseudonymous forum where they realized that they were both working at Google. Ultimately, both of them left their high paying jobs at Google to start Icebreaker.

As a dig at the current Web2 platforms, Dillé deliberately put his title as the CEO of Google, even though he isn't. But he is doing that to show how simple it is for users to fabricate their credentials online. Icebreakers hope to address this issue head on by enabling users to instantly verify their credentials and provide verifiable endorsement within their network.

Redrawing the future of social graph with Web3 technology

Icebreaker was born out of a shared belief that digital identities and reputations should not be controlled by any single entity but should be publicly owned and accessible to all. Addressing the limitations of current platforms like LinkedIn, which restrict how users can leverage their contacts, Icebreaker aims to eliminate these barriers.

Utilizing blockchain technology, Icebreaker enables users to transfer their existing professional profiles and networks into a single, verified channel. “Imagine clicking the login button and seeing your entire network across LinkedIn, Twitter, Farcaster, and email. Think about how many introductions could be more effectively routed if you could see the full picture of your connections,” Stone explained to Fortune.

“Icebreaker was created to empower professionals to seamlessly leverage their existing profiles and networks to discover exceptional people and opportunities through advancements in cryptographically verifiable identity,” the company stated. The new funding will be used to scale its team.

The platform now lets you share anything and everything you want people to know about yourself. Icebreaker is now prompting users to even use their chess rating as one of the credentials they can put on their profile.

Authentic networking, meaning conversations

Icebreaker is indeed a gateway a never seen before innovation in the web3 world. By embodying the transformative approach to blockchain technology, it allows users to better under the full picture of a person, leading to richer and more meaningful conversations. Icebreaker is also a trendsetting to introduce true ownership of professional identity to everyone online.

About CoinFund

CoinFund is one of the world's first cryptonative investment firms and a registered investment adviser founded in 2015. The firm champions the leaders of the new internet, powered by foresight as active investors to achieve extraordinary outcomes. CoinFund invests in seed, venture, and liquid opportunities within the blockchain sector with a focus on digital assets, decentralization technologies, and key enabling infrastructure. For more information, visit CoinFund.io, LinkedIn or join us on X.