# NEAR

> Layer-1 blockchain for scalable decentralized applications with sharded proof-of-stake.

## Why it is interesting

Ethereum-alternative L1 with sub-second finality — a16z led a $21.6M token sale at mainnet launch (2020); Multicoin and Blockchange were early backers.

## Profile

- **Stage:** growth
- **Status:** private
- **Industries:** crypto-web3
- **Coverage:** full
- **Last updated:** 2026-07-24

## Key facts

- Token sale (May 2020): $21.6M led by a16z at mainnet launch (BusinessWire, TechCrunch)
- Prior round (Jul 2019): $12.1M with Multicoin, Pantera, Coinbase Ventures (CoinDesk)
- Co-investors not in VCT directory: Pantera Capital, Electric Capital, Libertus Capital

## Investors in our directory

- https://venturecapitaltracker.com/fund/andreessen-horowitz
- https://venturecapitaltracker.com/fund/blockchange-ventures
- https://venturecapitaltracker.com/fund/multicoin-capital

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Source: https://venturecapitaltracker.com/startup/near