Skyseed Launches to Fuel Bluesky's Growth with $1M Investment in Niche Social Networks
December 21, 2024Peter Wang, co-founder and chief AI and innovation officer of Anaconda, believes the AT Protocol facilitates the creation of niche micro-networks, moving away from the traditional one-size-fits-all social media solutions.
He envisions various applications utilizing the AT Protocol, including social networks tailored for children and tools designed for marginalized communities.
On November 15, 2024, Wang sought ideas for a new incubator and fund within the Bluesky/AT Protocol ecosystem, which led to the establishment of Skyseed just four weeks later.
Skyseed launched with an initial commitment of $1 million, reflecting the growing interest in Bluesky as an alternative social platform, especially as users migrate away from X, formerly known as Twitter.
Wang aims for Skyseed to expand its funding to between $5 million and $10 million, depending on the success of the projects it supports.
Skyseed's funding model includes both equity investments and developer grants, with initial checks expected to be around $100,000.
Developer grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 and are targeted at projects that demonstrate established tools and merit.
Skyseed has already attracted interest from potential partners and plans to announce its first developer grants by the end of 2024.
In addition to funding, Skyseed will function as an incubator, fostering collaboration and mentorship among developers to build a supportive community.
While Wang acknowledges the risks of open-source projects being influenced by venture capital interests, he emphasizes the importance of user control and the ability to fork projects if necessary.
Despite Bluesky's potential, it faces challenges similar to those of X, including moderation issues and the implications of advertising on the platform.
Wang has highlighted the critical difference between open and closed social media protocols, noting that closed platforms often prioritize advertising revenue over user autonomy.
Wang has previously supported decentralized web projects, such as Blue Link Labs and the now-defunct Beaker browser, which have influenced the development of Bluesky.
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TechCrunch • Dec 21, 2024
Meet Skyseed, a VC fund and incubator backing the Bluesky and AT Protocol ecosystem | TechCrunch