Pump.fun, the Solana token launchpad famous for its wild memecoin launches, just rolled out something new, Pump Fund. This isn’t just about meme coins anymore.
They’re jumping into early-stage investments, looking to back startup projects of all kinds. It’s a big shift for them, now they want to support builders across the board, not just the meme crowd.
Expanding Beyond Memecoins with Pump Fund
Pump Fund launched right alongside the $3 million “Build in Public” Hackathon, flipping the script on how early-stage projects get funding. Instead of the usual pitch decks and judge panels, they’re handing out $3 million to 12 teams, $250,000 each, valuing every project at $10 million.
Here’s the thing, it’s all about the market now. Founders don’t need to pitch to investors anymore. They just launch a token on Pump.fun, build in public, keep everyone updated, and let actual users and traders call the shots. Basically, the community picks the winners, not just a handful of gatekeepers.
One rule, though: every team has to keep at least 10% of their tokens after launch. This keeps founders invested in their own projects and makes sure they’re in it with their communities for the long haul.
Pump.fun says they’re open to just about any project; it doesn’t matter how far along you are or what space you’re in. On top of the funding, teams get mentorship straight from Pump.fun’s founders, with advice on launching, growing, and rallying a community around their ideas.
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What This Means for Startups and the Ecosystem
Pump Fund marks a real turning point for Pump.fun. Up until now, the platform made its name as a go-to spot for launching memecoins fast. Anyone could jump in, make a token, and start trading in no time.
That energy drove a ton of trading, but it also brought a wave of speculators and raised questions about how sustainable the whole thing was. So, this new move shows Pump.fun wants to do more than just ride the hype; they’re aiming to support projects that stick around and actually help new builders grow.
Now, with Pump Fund, the door’s open for projects that aren’t just about crypto memes or inside jokes. If you’re working on a consumer app, building something decentralized, or dreaming up a new token, now’s a good time to go for funding. There’s a community here that’s actually watching and ready to back interesting ideas.
The Build in Public Hackathon is taking applications until mid-February 2026. It lasts 30 days, and winners will hear by the end of the month. Teams should share their progress online and connect with supporters as they go.
Yeah, this investment arm is still new. It’s definitely an experiment. But that’s what makes it exciting. Pump.fun is betting on a market-driven way to back early-stage projects. Will it catch on? Will it actually lead to something lasting? Nobody knows yet.
But one thing’s clear, Pump.fun isn’t just sticking to its old playbook. It’s turning into a real ecosystem for builders who want to do more than just launch the next meme.
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