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Key people at Monochrome Capital.
Monochrome Capital operates as a venture capital firm, deploying seed-stage capital into B2B startups. The firm primarily backs companies that are developing significant technical moats to address complex, real-world challenges, with a particular interest in software and artificial intelligence solutions designed for enterprise applications. Their investment thesis emphasizes robust technology and defensible intellectual property in their portfolio companies.
The firm was established in 2020 by Ben Metcalfe, who serves as a principal within the organization. Metcalfe's background includes experience in technology platforms, with an insight into the necessity of durable, technologically advanced solutions for various industries. This perspective underpins Monochrome Capital’s strategy to identify and support early-stage ventures that possess strong engineering foundations and innovative problem-solving capabilities.
Monochrome Capital serves a diverse portfolio of B2B startups aiming to reshape industries through technological advancement. The firm's long-term vision is centered on fostering the growth of companies that not only deliver substantial value to their business clientele but also contribute to broader societal improvements by enhancing efficiency and tackling systemic issues in sectors such as the future of work and operational logistics.
# High-Level Overview
Monochrome Capital is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments across blockchain, cryptocurrency, and fintech sectors.[1] Founded in 2021, the firm operates with a mission to identify and support visionary founders building decentralized technologies that aim to revolutionize traditional financial systems.[1] Beyond venture investing, Monochrome Capital has expanded into digital asset finance solutions, offering products like digital asset-backed loans and structured products designed for accredited investors and businesses seeking to unlock liquidity from their crypto holdings.[2]
The firm's investment philosophy centers on providing not just capital but strategic guidance and resources to help portfolio companies scale within the rapidly evolving blockchain ecosystem.[1] With a presence in San Francisco and a global reach, Monochrome Capital positions itself as a relationship-driven investor with a strong reputation in digital assets, working exclusively with vetted issuers and maintaining a focus on outcomes-driven partnerships.[2]
Monochrome Capital was established in 2021, emerging during a period of significant growth and institutional adoption in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors.[1] The firm was built on the premise that decentralized technologies represented a fundamental shift in how financial systems could operate, and that early-stage projects in this space required both capital and experienced guidance to achieve their potential.
The founding reflects a broader trend of venture capital firms recognizing blockchain not as a speculative asset class but as infrastructure worthy of serious institutional investment. By positioning itself at the intersection of venture capital and digital asset finance, Monochrome Capital created a dual-track model: traditional VC funding for early-stage blockchain projects alongside financial products for investors seeking exposure to digital assets.
Unlike traditional venture firms, Monochrome Capital operates both as a venture investor and a financial services provider. This allows the firm to serve portfolio companies while simultaneously offering digital asset-backed financing solutions to accredited investors—creating potential synergies and multiple revenue streams.[2]
The firm maintains deep expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency, with a demonstrated track record of backing projects that have achieved significant milestones in the ecosystem.[1] This specialization allows for more informed investment decisions and better operational support than generalist venture firms.
Monochrome Capital emphasizes transparency, trust, and mutual success in its partnerships.[2] This contrasts with transactional venture models and suggests a longer-term commitment to portfolio company success beyond initial funding.
The firm's digital asset-backed loans feature competitive interest rates and industry-leading loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, providing a differentiated offering in an emerging market for crypto-collateralized financing.[2]
Operating from San Francisco with a team of 20-49 employees, the firm maintains a lean structure while serving a global investor base across the United States, Canada, Israel, and the UK.[3][4]
Monochrome Capital operates at a critical inflection point in the fintech and blockchain sectors. The firm rides several converging trends: institutional adoption of digital assets, the maturation of decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure, and growing demand for alternative financing solutions among crypto-native investors.
The timing is particularly significant as regulatory frameworks around cryptocurrency continue to solidify globally, making venture-backed blockchain projects increasingly attractive to institutional capital. Monochrome Capital's dual model—combining venture investing with financial services—positions it to benefit from both the growth of blockchain startups and the increasing need for sophisticated financial products in the digital asset space.
By offering digital asset-backed loans and structured products, the firm influences the ecosystem by improving capital efficiency for existing crypto holders, enabling them to access liquidity without liquidating positions. This creates a flywheel effect: better financial infrastructure attracts more institutional capital, which in turn funds more innovative blockchain projects.
Monochrome Capital represents a maturing approach to crypto venture investing—one that moves beyond pure speculation toward building sustainable financial infrastructure. The firm's expansion into digital asset finance suggests confidence in the long-term viability of blockchain technology and recognition that the next phase of growth requires not just funding but sophisticated financial products.
Looking ahead, Monochrome Capital's trajectory will likely be shaped by regulatory developments, the performance of its portfolio companies, and broader institutional adoption of digital assets. As the cryptocurrency market matures and moves toward mainstream acceptance, firms like Monochrome Capital that combine venture expertise with financial services capabilities will be well-positioned to capture value across multiple layers of the ecosystem.
The firm's future influence will depend on whether its portfolio companies achieve meaningful product-market fit and whether its digital asset finance products gain traction among institutional investors. If successful, Monochrome Capital could become a model for how venture capital and fintech converge in the digital asset era—a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized systems.
Key people at Monochrome Capital.
