Animoca Brands Launches $10M Fund for AI Agent Builders

The programme targets developers and teams creating AI agents, tools, or applications on the Minds platform. Applications are open immediately, though Animoca did not disclose specific per-project investment sizes or detailed eligibility criteria.

As a result, the announcement positions Animoca as one of the first major Web3 firms to dedicate a standalone fund specifically to AI agent builders.

How the Animoca Minds Investment Programme Works

According to the official announcement, the programme offers up to $10 million in total funding. Specifically, it aims to accelerate development of the Minds ecosystem by backing select builder teams.

Animoca stated: “We are announcing an investment programme for select projects building with Minds by Animoca Brands, also known as Animoca Minds, with up to US$10 million available for investment.”

The company did not specify whether investments will take the form of equity, tokens, or SAFEs. In addition, a timeline for first capital deployment remains undisclosed. The broad language suggests Animoca wants flexibility in how it structures deals with selected teams.

Interested builders can apply through the Minds platform website, which serves as the official application portal. The “select projects” framing indicates a competitive process where not all applicants will receive funding.

What Is Minds by Animoca Brands

Minds is a persistent AI agent platform. Unlike traditional chatbots that reset after each conversation, each “Mind” maintains its own identity, long-term memory, and autonomy.

In practice, this means users can deploy always-on AI agents without managing servers, hardware, or complex infrastructure. These agents research, strategize, and execute tasks independently, even when the user is offline.

Animoca described the platform as one that “removes complexity while preserving full control and customization for both builders and general users.” Users direct their agents through simple interfaces like email or chat.

Importantly, Minds also integrates crypto-native capabilities. Agents can potentially manage wallets, execute transactions, and interact with on-chain protocols on behalf of users. This makes the platform particularly relevant for Web3 developers looking to build autonomous trading bots, portfolio managers, or on-chain research tools.

Animoca Brands’ Major Investment Programmes/Funds (2025–2026)

Animoca’s AI Expansion Strategy

Animoca Brands developed Minds in partnership with Ethoswarm, the team behind CryptoSlam. For context, CryptoSlam operates one of the largest NFT analytics platforms in the industry, processing data across multiple blockchains.

The collaboration brings together Animoca’s extensive Web3 investment network of over 400 portfolio companies with Ethoswarm’s technical infrastructure. As a result, Minds benefits from both deep crypto expertise and a pre-existing distribution network across the Animoca ecosystem.

Minds first launched publicly in early 2026. This $10 million programme is the latest step in Animoca’s broader push into the agentic economy. The firm has made multiple AI-related investments over the past year, consistently positioning itself at the intersection of Web3 and autonomous AI technology.

Market Context for AI Agents in Crypto

The AI agent sector has grown rapidly within crypto over the past year. Projects like Virtuals Protocol and ai16z attracted significant attention and capital throughout 2025 and into 2026, establishing the category as one of the hottest narratives in the space.

At the same time, competition among AI agent platforms has intensified. Multiple projects now offer frameworks for deploying autonomous agents, though few combine persistent memory with full Web3 integration in the way Minds claims to.

Animoca Brands remains a private company with no publicly traded token. No immediate price movements appeared in AI-agent sector tokens following the announcement, likely because the news is only hours old. The broader crypto AI market continues to evolve rapidly, with new platforms and funding announcements emerging weekly.

For builders, the Animoca Minds investment programme offers both capital and potential access to one of Web3’s largest portfolios. That ecosystem advantage could differentiate Minds from purely technical competitors that lack distribution networks.

What Comes Next for Builders

Developers interested in the Animoca Minds investment programme can apply through the Minds platform immediately. Based on typical venture timelines, first capital deployments and selected projects could emerge within 4 to 8 weeks, though no official timeline exists.

The programme represents a clear bet from one of Web3’s most active investment firms that persistent AI agents will become core infrastructure. Whether Minds can attract enough builder talent to compete in the crowded AI agent market will depend on the platform’s technical capabilities and the speed of capital deployment.

Early community reactions on X are strongly positive, with multiple builder teams signaling intent to apply. Crypto AI developers have described the fund as “serious fuel for AI agent builders.” The programme opens a new funding path at a time when AI agent development in crypto is accelerating quickly.

This is not financial advice. Participation in early-stage investment programmes carries significant risk.