As the crypto industry regains momentum, startup funding is also surging. Web3 infrastructure company 0G Labs has secured $35 million in a pre-seed funding round—an exceptionally large amount for this early stage.
Originally aiming for $5 million to develop core technology, the team adjusted its target after recognizing the need for robust infrastructure to support on-chain AI applications in Web3.
What Is 0G Labs Building?
0G (also called ZeroGravity) is developing a modular AI blockchain designed to address critical challenges like speed and cost efficiency for AI applications in Web3. Key competitors include Celestia and EigenLayer, which also emphasize modularity.
The Power of Modularity
Modular blockchains allow developers to customize components—similar to ordering à la carte at a restaurant. This flexibility contrasts with monolithic chains like Ethereum, where layers (data, consensus, etc.) are inseparable, limiting customization.
"Our goal is to enable any blockchain to match the performance and affordability of Web2 applications," said Michael Heinrich, 0G co-founder.
Why This Matters for On-Chain AI
The founders identified a gap in decentralized data storage and availability—critical for scaling blockchains and enabling on-chain AI.
- Decentralized Storage: Essential for true decentralization.
- Scalable Data Pipeline: Must support high concurrent usage.
"We enable the storage and scalability of models so others can focus on the execution layer," Heinrich explained.
Funding and Investor Backing
The pre-seed round was 20x oversubscribed, with over $100 million in interest. Hack VC led the round, joined by 40+ crypto-native investors, including:
- Alliance
- Animoca Brands
- Delphi Digital
- OKX Ventures
The distributed cap table aligns with Web3’s community-driven ethos. Funds will accelerate engineering hires, ecosystem growth, and product development. A future token release is planned but details remain undisclosed.
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Technical Edge: Speed and Throughput
0G claims its chain will outperform competitors with:
- 50 Gbps throughput (vs. 1.5 MBps industry average).
- Negligible gas fees per transaction.
This high bandwidth is vital for on-chain AI, gaming, and DeFi, where slow pipelines inflate costs.
Roadmap Highlights
- Mainnet Launch: Targeted for Q3 2024.
- Early Adopters: Layer 2 chains (e.g., Polygon, Arbitrum) and high-performance dApp teams.
- New Use Cases: Enabling previously impossible applications like decentralized AI models and deepfake detection.
"We want this to be a public good that serves humanity," Heinrich emphasized.
FAQs
Q: How is 0G different from Ethereum?
A: Ethereum is monolithic, while 0G’s modular design allows customizable components for better scalability and cost efficiency.
Q: What’s the main use case for 0G’s technology?
A: Supporting high-throughput applications like on-chain AI and gaming by solving data storage and speed challenges.
Q: When will 0G launch its token?
A: The team confirms a future token release but hasn’t shared specific timelines.
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Final Thoughts
0G Labs’ $35M pre-seed round reflects strong confidence in its modular AI blockchain vision. By addressing critical infrastructure gaps, the project could unlock new possibilities for decentralized AI and high-performance dApps—making Web3 as seamless as Web2.