# Protocol Labs

Protocol Labs is an other based in San Francisco, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** other
- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** San Francisco, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2014
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** protocol.ai
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/protocollabs

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Protocol Labs is building the next generation of the internet.

## Sectors

- Web3
- AI/ML
- AR/VR
- BCI
- Hardware
- Cybersecurity

## Offices

- Stamford, CT
- New York, NY
- London, UK
- Boston, MA
- Beijing, CN
- Palo Alto, CA
- Seattle, WA

## People

- Juan Benet — Founder

## Questions

### How is Protocol Labs structured compared to a traditional venture capital firm?

Protocol Labs functions as a decentralized innovation network, not a venture fund. It develops open-source protocols like IPFS and Filecoin and then spins out independent companies, foundations, and venture studios. The network is supported by a combination of token-based incentives, grants like the RFP Grant Program, and a venture studio arm known as PLVS. There is no central carried-interest structure or traditional LP base.

### What is Protocol Labs' relationship with Filecoin and IPFS?

Protocol Labs is the original creator of both IPFS and Filecoin. IPFS is a peer-to-peer hypermedia protocol, while Filecoin is a decentralized storage network incentivized by a native token. IPFS and Filecoin now function as independent network utilities with their own foundations, such as the Filecoin Foundation, though Protocol Labs continues to coordinate protocol upgrades and network adoption.

### How does Protocol Labs fund new startups within its network?

New companies primarily emerge through the PL Venture Studio (PLVS), which runs cohort-based programs. Graduates include Akave, Storacha, and Randamu. The broader ecosystem also deploys grant programs and token-based incentive structures. The Filecoin Token Sale in 2017 raised $205.8 million total, a portion of which supports ecosystem development.

### Who runs investment decisions at Protocol Labs?

Protocol Labs does not operate with a centralized investment committee. Founder Juan Benet set the network's technical vision, but operational and funding decisions are distributed across independent network teams and foundations. The PLVS arm has its own leadership cohort to manage startup selection and support.

### Does Protocol Labs participate in external fund commitments?

Protocol Labs does not publicly disclose a fund-of-funds strategy. Its capital deployment historically funnels through token treasury management, grants, hackathons, and direct support for startups via the PL Venture Studio. In September 2022, it participated in the inaugural FIL VC event in Singapore, connecting teams with external venture investors.

### What technology sectors does Protocol Labs focus on beyond web3?

The network's publicly stated focus includes artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, brain-computer interfaces, and hardware. In February 2025, the BitRobot Network launched for decentralized embodied AI development, and in April 2025, Prime Intellect released a decentralized 32B-parameter AI training run.

### What is the relationship between Protocol Labs and CoinList?

CoinList was spun out of Protocol Labs and AngelList in October 2017. Protocol Labs initially created the CoinList platform to run its own compliant Filecoin Token Sale. CoinList now operates as an independent company, entirely separate from Protocol Labs' day-to-day operations.

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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