Blockchain Valley Ventures (BVV), a new accelerator and venture capital firm offering investment, financing, and advisory services for blockchain-enabled businesses, has launched today. The firm will focus on investments in, and the incubation and development of, business ventures in a number of industries that are utilizing blockchain technology to facilitate growth and innovation.
Based in Switzerland’s Crypto Valley in Zug, the firm boasts Heinrich Zetlmayer, former Vice President and Country Leader of IBM Global Business Services in Switzerland; Oliver Bussmann, former UBS and SAP Group CIO; and Lykke Corp. as Partners.
BVV boasts a broad array of services, including capital investments, through its own funds and investment vehicles, such as the “Blockchain Investment Opportunities Note” in cooperation with Vicenda Asset Management AG, a global investment boutique with a focus on private debt investing. It also offers business, financial, ICO, and marketing support until projects have critical size and operate independently, as well as assistance in token technology design and creation, and implementation of Lykke’s Open Source Technology, in collaboration with Lykke Corporation, a global marketplace for the free exchange of financial assets.
BVV’s strategy for funding new businesses is a hybrid of two different forms of financing, the traditional venture capital model, and the newer Initial Coin Offering (ICO) model. The “Hybrid Model” of investing is designed to optimize not only the capital-raising of BVV portfolio companies but to serve as a key tool in accelerating their growth and business development, offering significant benefits compared to more conventional investment mechanisms. As a pioneer and advocate of this hybrid model, BVV is uniquely positioned to offer support on all fronts for businesses at any stage of development and with various needs.
BVV, supported by Lykke Corporation, will draw on the experience of its diverse team to offer portfolio companies assistance and advice in launching and scaling blockchain-enabled businesses. BVV’s collaboration with its partner companies will position the firm as an integral part of their respective business models and is intended to allow for the establishment of an ecosystem of promising blockchain-based projects, maximizing each partner’s success potential.
“As ICOs have become the new normal, it is no longer necessary to wait until you have accumulated significant revenue to make your dreams into reality. However, many would-be token-issuers need guidance which is neutral, independent, and unbiased. BVV provides this quality support, offering the necessary advice and assistance so that inspired businesses may fully recognize their potential,” said Richard Olsen, Founder, and CEO of Lykke Corporation.
“Blockchain technology has already shown itself to be a highly disruptive force across all manners of industry – from supply chain management to e-commerce, and fintech. Our long-term vision is to develop BVV into a leading management holding in the crypto space, offering assistance to projects we believe have real potential to have lasting effects on industries primed for disruption. We are excited to be facilitating and supporting the continued transformation of our shared global digital future,” said Heinrich Zetlmayer, BVV General Partner.
BVV will operate from the heart of the Crypto Valley in Zug, Switzerland, working within and leveraging the benefits of the world’s most advanced and experienced ecosystem of blockchain companies, blockchain-experienced lawyers, auditors, tax advisors, and financial regulators. The venture capital firm’s initial focus will be on Swiss and European-based projects and investment opportunities, with an expansion into other key global markets planned for the future.
