Pump.fun Pushes Past Memecoins, Launches Investment Arm To Back New Projects
Pump.enjoyable, the memecoins launchpad, has opened an funding arm referred to as Pump Fund and kicked off a public hackathon to seed early initiatives. It put $3 million on the desk to again a batch of latest groups. Twelve winners will get $250,000 every at a $10 million valuation as a part of the primary program.
Market Driven Hackathon Model
Under the new plan, funding received’t come from pitch rooms or closed-door panels. According to the platform, initiatives will probably be chosen largely by market exercise and group traction — actual token demand would be the principal sign.
That means groups are anticipated to construct in public, mint tokens, and present early consumer curiosity as a substitute of counting on conventional enterprise checks. Mentorship from Pump.enjoyable’s founders can be a part of the package deal.
Today, we announce Pump Fund
It will advance the startup ecosystem on pump enjoyable by aligning itself with initiatives long-term.
The fund’s first initiative is the BiP Hackathon which can fund 12 initiatives with $250k @ $10m val, giving mentorship with pump enjoyable’s founders & way more
— Pump.enjoyable (@Pumpfun) January 19, 2026
The Rules And The Playbook
Reports say collaborating groups should challenge a token and disclose improvement steps brazenly. Some posts checklist particular mechanics: initiatives are requested to maintain a share of token provide public and to let the market decide their momentum.
The hackathon format is supposed to make fundraising quicker and extra seen. This is an strategy that places lots of energy into buying and selling exercise, which supporters say can reveal what individuals really need.
Moving Beyond Memecoins
Pump.fun is signaling a shift. What started as a manufacturing facility for memecoins has been steered towards funding broader startup concepts. The transfer is being framed as a option to again early-stage initiatives each inside and out of doors the token world, whereas nonetheless retaining a powerful position for token mechanics.
But the platform has a previous that colours this announcement: earlier protection flagged safety incidents and authorized worries tied to memecoin launches and platform mechanics, which some observers say may make this venture-style push controversial.
What Critics Note
Some critics fear the mannequin might reward short-term hype over sluggish, regular product constructing. Market-driven choice can amplify pleasure, and pleasure can fade quick.
Questions have been raised about how traction will probably be measured and whether or not token-driven indicators can persistently level to long-term, sustainable initiatives. Governance and transparency are already on watch lists.
Applications are open for groups that desire a shot on the $3 million pool, with timelines given by Pump.enjoyable for choice and the primary cohort to be chosen rapidly after submissions shut.
The memecoins platform says it should provide capital plus hands-on help to winners, and the group can have an enormous position in serving to resolve which concepts rise.
Featured picture from PYMNTS, chart from TradingView
