Coinspeaker
Google and Coinbase Alumni Secure $5M for Icebreaker, Blockchain’s LinkedIn Rival
Icebreaker, a revolutionary new platform aiming to be the world’s first open-source professional network built on blockchain technology, has secured $5 million in seed funding. Icebreaker takes a significant step towards shaking up the dominance of closed networks like LinkedIn, which often stores and monetizes user data.
CoinFund led the investment round, with participation from prominent venture capital firms like Accomplice, Anagram, and Legion Capital. Icebreaker’s valuation currently sits at $21 million, reflecting the potential investors see in its ability to disrupt the professional networking landscape.
Blockchain-Powered Open Network for Professional Identities
The co-founders of Icebreaker, Dan Stone and Jack Dillé, are veterans from tech giants Google and Coinbase, respectively. They aim to create a system where users control and own their professional identities and reputations instead of centralized platforms. Their vision resonates with many professionals frustrated by LinkedIn’s paywalls and credit systems.
“Imagine if you click the login button, and then you see the entirety of your network across LinkedIn, Twitter, Farcaster, and email? Imagine how many intros could be more effectively routed if you could see the full picture of how you are connected with somebody,” said Stone.
Icebreaker uses blockchain to allow users to transfer professional profiles and networks into one verified channel. Its founders envision this as an “open graph of reputation and identity”, unlike LinkedIn’s “closed network” approach, which they believe limits data access and hinders the free discovery of candidates and opportunities online.
Crushing Fake Profiles Fast
The rise of AI-generated content and fake profiles online has eroded trust in traditional social media platforms. Icebreaker tackles this head-on by enabling users to instantly verify their credentials and provide verifiable endorsements within their network. This fosters a more reliable and trustworthy environment for professional interactions.
Dillé himself highlights this issue, pointing to his own LinkedIn profile where he playfully listed his title as “CEO of Google” to expose the ease of spreading misinformation on Web2 platforms. Icebreaker aims to eliminate such vulnerabilities for both job seekers and recruiters.
“The new funding will allow us to scale our team and product development,” the company stated. This investment will be crucial in building a robust platform that can compete with established players like LinkedIn.
Google and Coinbase Alumni Secure $5M for Icebreaker, Blockchain’s LinkedIn Rival
