Pump.fun launched an investment department for early stage projects

Author

Suja Sunderarajan

Author

Suja Sunderarajan

Since part of the group

June 2023

About the author

Suja was recognized by BeInCrypto 🟣 Women in Crypto 2024 🟣 for her leadership in crypto journalism.

Share

Last Updated:

January 20, 2026

Memecoin launchpad Pump.fun has launched an investment arm called Pump Fund, which will distribute $3 million in funding across 12 projects.

An animated video announcement posted on X says the funding is for early-stage startups. It also announced a Build in Public Hackathon, which will fund 12 projects with $250k at a cost of $10m.

“By aligning itself with long-term projects, it advances the startup ecosystem at Pump Fun,” Pump.fun wrote in a thread on X.

Pump.fun Hackathon – not for VCs, but for beginners

Solana-based platform writes that the upcoming hackathon is a time-limited event that differs from traditional programs. Hackathon offers funding, mentorship with Pamp.fun founders and more.

“Instead of appeasing judges/VCs for money, tokenization allows the market to be the judge,” the platform added. “Your users are the ones who make you money by betting on you early.”

In order to qualify for the hackathon, early stage project participants must launch a token and own at least 10% of the token supply.

However, the projects need not be crypto-related, Pump.fun explained. Projects of all ages, verticals and drags are welcome.

In addition, the platform prioritizes product and social networking, open communication and long-term viability when selecting winners.

One user wrote that the hackathon is “the biggest opener of developer skills.” The financial system did not work, the user wrote, despite the support of millions to build AI projects and increase the talent pool.

“Portfolio companies with legitimate products being ignored… hackathon survivors. Incubator rejected. Solo entrepreneurs with vibe + idea & AI. 3 am Claude outsourced funded startups. “The talent pool was 100x'd but the funding system didn't work. It's time to change the game.”

The first batch of startups is expected in February 2026.

PUMP rises 3.04% – short-term separation of the eye

PUMP, a subsidiary of Pamp.fun, has gained 3.04% in the last 24 hours following the launch of the Pump Fund. The token is trading at $0.00256 at press time on CoinMarketCap.

Recent gains reflect a short-term bullish trend but face resistance around $0.00274.

The token peaked in September, and has declined 70% since then. The rise of memecoin activity, gaining traction with coins launched by Pump.fun like Whitewheel, has put the token back on the radar.

In addition, according to DeFilama, the movement has contributed to the steady growth of revenues in the recent past, creating a strong tokonomic backbone for the lineup.