Mempool Ventures

Mempool Ventures is a Dubai-based crypto venture capital and advisory firm founded in 2017 (formally incorporated March 2021) by Ian Arden, a Ukrainian-born serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor. Co-founder and General Partner Ian Arden leads alongside General Partner and COO Roxy Zakharuk, with Ana Yermolova serving as Scout. The firm advises, accelerates, and invests in breakthrough technologies at the genesis stage, with a core focus on blockchain, cryptography, and machine learning. The firm raised the Mempool Phoenix Fund at $25 million to continue early-stage blockchain investments with co-investment capabilities. Mempool Ventures unites several portfolio brands under a single ecosystem: Adaia (AI venture studio), MilestoneBased (startup performance platform), Letzgro (development hub), Applicature (blockchain advisory), and Vidma.io (Web3 cybersecurity). The portfolio comprises 9 companies across fintech and blockchain technology. Typical check sizes are approximately $100,000 at pre-seed and seed stages. Notable investments include Bondly (acquired — one recorded exit), Bridge, and GoInfluencer (last recorded investment September 2021). No new public investment activity has been recorded in 2024 or 2025 despite the Phoenix Fund raise. The firm selects founders based on intelligence, flexibility, and hard-working tenacity with breakthrough potential rather than traction metrics alone. Mempool provides hands-on acceleration, team augmentation, and token launch frameworks to Web3 founders. Ian Arden also runs 'Think Like VC' educational programs for founders, extending the firm's presence into the broader blockchain startup community across the MENA region and Europe.