Grants & Funding
Stellar Matching Fund
The Matching Fund is an investment track within the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) Enterprise Fund, designed specifically for earlier stage companies (Pre-seed to Series B) interested in building on the Stellar network. We will match investments raised from lead investors of up to $500,000 USD. This allows us more co-investment opportunities in companies with investors from around the world and helps us to grow the number of companies we can support.
Why is this important? The mission of the SDF is to provide equitable access to the global financial system. The success of our mission depends in large part on companies all over the world having access to risk capital, especially in emerging markets where investors are new to blockchain, including the Stellar network, and/or have underdeveloped venture ecosystems.
Eligibility
Investment Criteria
All investment decisions will be made in SDF’s sole and exclusive discretion. Make sure your project meets the minimum requirements outlined below in order to be eligible for a potential Matching Fund investment.
1. Raise Capital: Secure a lead investor and submit your term sheet.
- If selected, funds will be matched 1:1 up to US $500,000, with a minimum check size of US $200,000. Funding is provided in the form of USD, USDC, or XLM.
- The lead investor should be an experienced investor who has made a similar type of investment within the last 12 months.
- If selected, any existing SDF grants made to your company must be canceled prior to receiving a Matching Fund investment.
2. The Stellar network Scope: Submit a description of your integration scope on the Stellar network.
- Your company’s proposal must use the Stellar network in a meaningful way that aligns with the mission of SDF.
- Your proposal should be a maximum of 1 page, and the proposed Stellar network integration(s) must be performed within 1 year of investment close.
- Proposals from companies already building on the Stellar network must demonstrate a new or expanded use of the Stellar network. See the Enterprise Fund for areas of interest.
- If selected, SDF will work with your company to finalize your integration scope.
3. Due Diligence: Submit business and legal diligence materials and participate in an SDF screening interview.
- Screening interview to be conducted by at least two SDF representatives.
Learn More
How to Apply
To be considered for a Matching Fund investment, please complete the application form below. Please submit the following four items:
- Term sheet or SAFE from lead investor.
- Fundraising deck.
- List of all investors in the round, their confirmed amounts, and how much you’re seeking from us.
- Please provide a detailed explanation of your proposed integration with the Stellar network and bullet pointed list of the product scope (1 page max).
- Example product scope: Within one year of investment we will create Stellar network wallets for [xx] users and enable users to send, receive, and hold Stellar network assets.
- Example KPIs for estimating your impact on the Stellar network: Volume-based (GTV, send/receive volume, # of transactions), Value-based (AUM, TVL, daily or monthly transaction volume), User-based (# of wallets, DAU/MAU), and Other (key referrals or partners, etc).
Next Step
Submit Your Application
Ready to Apply? Please send an email with the documents and answers to above questions to [email protected]. Only complete applications will be considered. SDF will review applications and respond if there is interest in moving forward with your submission. At that time, you may be invited to submit standard diligence materials and be scheduled for an interview.
Portfolio
Matching Fund Recipients
Afriex
African money transfer app
- Geography: Africa
- Stage: Series A
- Use Case: Remittance
- Vertical: Wallets
- Co-Investors: Dragonfly Capital, Sequoia China, Golden Tree Asset Management, SoftBank Opportunity Fund
Bitwage
Cryptocurrency payroll solutions
- Geography: Latam
- Stage: Seed
- Use case: Payroll
- Vertical: Payments
- Co-Investors: Draper Associates, Gaingels, Overton VC
- Press
Fanvestor
Connecting creators with fans
- Geography: US
- Stage: Seed
- Use case: NFTs
- Vertical: Digital Assets
- Co-Investors: Formic Ventures
Stablecorp
Blockchain-based financial infrastructure provider built around VCAD
- Geography: Canada
- Stage: Pre-Series A
- Use case: FX
- Vertical: Digital Assets
- Co-Investors: Circle Ventures, Genesis, 3iQ
- Press
Stax
African consumer payments app built on USSD
- Geography: Africa
- Stage: Seed
- Use case: Consumer Payments
- Vertical: Wallets
- Co-Investors: Noemis Ventures, Launch Africa Ventures, Orange DAO, Manhattan West
- Press
Trace Finance
Foreign exchange for LatAm
- Geography: Brazil
- Stage: Seed
- Use case: FX
- Vertical: Payments
- Co-Investors: HOF Capital, Circle Ventures, BlockFi Ventures, Mantis Fund (Chainsmokers)
- Press
Explore
Other Grants & Funding
The Stellar Development Foundation also offers other sources of funding for projects in the Stellar ecosystem. Explore our grants and award programs below and see if you’re eligible to apply today.