Sei Foundation Launches $65 Million Fund to Accelerate Decentralized Science Projects

• Partnerships with universities and biotech firms aim to address adoption hurdles and legitimize blockchain-driven science initiatives.
• DeSci gains momentum as YZi Labs and a16z back projects like BIO Protocol and AminoChain, expanding sector visibility.

The Sei Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the Sei blockchain, has established a $65 million venture fund targeting startups in decentralized science (DeSci). Named Sapien Capital, the initiative will finance projects built natively on Sei’s Layer 1 network , focusing on sectors like healthcare, biotechnology, and open data sharing.

Justin Barlow, head of business development at Sei Foundation , confirmed the fund is fully funded internally but may partner with external investors later.  

DeSci leverages blockchain to decentralize control over scientific research funding and data access. Unlike traditional models, where institutions centralize decision-making, DeSci platforms use tools like decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to enable transparent, community-driven governance. 

Sapien Capital will invest in equity and tokens of early-stage startups, with individual investments ranging from $100,000 to $2 million. The capital will deploy over three to four years, prioritizing ventures that bridge scientific research and mainstream adoption.  

Barlow identified consumer-facing applications as high-potential opportunities, including wearable technology integrations, user-controlled data networks, and gamified approaches to drug discovery. These projects aim to address systemic challenges in life sciences, such as limited funding access and opaque data practices.

DeSci’s traction has grown since 2021, with recent investments from firms like YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) and venture capital giant a16z. YZi Labs backed BIO Protocol, a DeSci platform whose token holds a $370 million market value, while a16z funded AminoChain, a decentralized biobank.

Barlow attributes rising interest to improved blockchain infrastructure, noting Sei’s technical capacity now supports scalable DeSci applications.  

Adoption hurdles remain, particularly skepticism from academic and corporate research entities. To build credibility, the Sei Foundation plans collaborations with universities, established biotech firms, and academic leaders.

As DeSci evolves , the fund’s success may hinge on balancing innovation with institutional buy-in—a challenge familiar to blockchain initiatives at the intersection of technology and traditional sectors.