Subzero Labs, a web3 infrastructure startup, has announced a $20 million seed funding round led by Pantera Capital.
The company will use the funds to accelerate the development of Rialo, a new layer-1 blockchain designed to simplify the creation of decentralized applications (dApps). Additional investors in the round include Coinbase Ventures, Fabric Ventures, Mysten Labs, Variant, and Susquehanna Crypto.
Making Blockchain Development Easier
The team behind Rialo aims to reduce the complexity of web3 development by creating a blockchain that feels more like traditional web2 environments. According to Subzero Labs, building dApps on most blockchains today is time-consuming, expensive, and filled with technical hurdles.
The platform will support responsive and reactive applications, with a focus on making blockchain-based services as seamless and scalable as centralized apps. This includes everything from tokenized assets and AI coordination to global trading platforms.
Built for Scalability and Compatibility
One of Rialo’s technical highlights is its use of RISC-V, a modern instruction set architecture gaining traction across the tech world. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has also shown interest in this approach. In addition, Rialo will work with the Solana Virtual Machine, helping it remain compatible with existing standards and developer tools while scaling to handle internet-level demand.
By combining performance, ease of use, and compatibility, Subzero Labs hopes to offer a solution that encourages wider adoption of blockchain technology.
Support from Leading Investors
Pantera Capital’s managing partner Paul Veradittakit shared strong support for the project, calling Rialo a full-stack network ready to support real-world use cases. He praised the Subzero Labs team, especially co-founders Ade and Lu, for their technical skills and vision. According to Veradittakit, the project stands out by focusing on what matters most to developers—speed, usability, and practical applications.
As more businesses and users explore web3, developer-friendly infrastructure becomes critical. Subzero Labs is entering the scene with the goal of closing the gap between the old and new internet. If successful, Rialo could help bring decentralized apps to the mainstream by making them easier and cheaper to build.