Chainforest

Chainforest is a venture capital fund operating at the intersection of community and capital. Founded by Amit Mukherjee, a former NEA partner, Chainforest primarily focuses on investing in web3 startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. Leveraging its DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) model, the firm has built a community of over 400 experienced web3 operators and thought leaders. This community, known as "Rainmakers," actively supports portfolio companies through expertise and connections, earning tokenized carry as a reward. Chainforest typically writes first-checks between $250K and $750K, favoring founders with disruptive visions in sectors like fintech, entertainment, security, and decentralized software. Notable investments include Arkive, Syndicate, Utopia Labs, and Stelo. The firm is geographically focused on North America and positions itself as a key player in the emerging web3 ecosystem. Its unique strategy centers around collective intelligence, with community members beta-testing products and offering operational support. The Conscious Leadership Group forum is a key value-add, offering founders leadership coaching. Mukherjee, alongside Head of Finance Vasanth Thiruvadi, has cultivated a high-signal network, emphasizing deep collaboration over traditional VC hierarchies. Chainforest prefers to lead investment rounds and maintain active engagement post-investment.