Nascent

Nascent is a venture capital firm based in Montreal, Canada, focused on backing early-stage founders in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and broader crypto ecosystem. Founded in 2020 by Dan Elitzer and Josh Felker, Nascent adopts a dual investment approach, engaging in both venture and liquid strategies. They are known for being deep users of the crypto infrastructure they help build, which aligns their investment focus with projects shaping the future of an open financial world. Nascent has made over 90 investments in companies like Morpho, Aztec, Etherscan, and Optimism—all influential players in the DeFi and Web3 space. Their portfolio spans multiple sectors, from NFT platforms and decentralized exchanges to staking solutions and security protocols. Nascent supports these projects from seed stages through Series A, typically collaborating with other major players in the crypto space such as Coinbase Ventures and Dragonfly. The firm emphasizes hands-on collaboration with founders, focusing on the long-term development of the infrastructure and products needed to sustain the growth of decentralized systems. Nascent's team is made up of crypto-native builders, investors, and engineers, with a presence in Montreal and beyond. The firm often co-invests rather than leading rounds, offering substantial expertise in navigating the complexities of blockchain, DeFi, and Web3 technologies.