IDEO

Basics

A design firm.

IDEO CoLab Ventures

Basics

The venture arm from design firm IDEO. Started in 2018.

IDEO CoLab has been active in the blockchain space since as early as 2015, and has (info comes from 7-2019) worked with Augur, a decentralized platform for creating predictions markets, as well as privacy-centric cryptocurrency startups Zcash, IPFS, ZeppelinOS, Handshake and Grin, among others.
Set up (7-2019) an accelerator program to mentor budding entrepreneurs in the space, the program is dubbed Startup Studio with backers like Fidelity, Deloitte, Amazon, Ethereum Foundation, Stellar Foundation, Coinbase-backed NEAR Protocol and Messari (which itself got funding from IDEO CoLab in 2-2019)
From The Defiant (27-10-2020):

"Announced a $21M early-stage crypto fund backed by IDEO, Avanta Ventures, GS Group, Hanwha Asset Management and Fineqia. Backers also include executives from IDEO, Coinbase, Twitter, Fortress, and other major tech companies and financial institutions. IDEO CoLab’s portfolio has now grown to include over 30 blockchain and crypto startups and 40 founders since making its first investment in 2018. The fund’s investment focus will be on: Web 3.0 infrastructure and tools; new financial systems, products, and services; new networks, marketplaces, and experiences that will change the way people work, connect, consume media, and play."

Mars Protocol; From The Generalist (21-11-2021):

"Developed as part of a joint venture between Delphi Labs, IDEO CoLab, Terraform and others."

Investments

Invested in both Bitcoin and Ethereum (3-10-2020).
In February 2019, IDEO CoLab invested in six blockchain startups, including Messari, ZeppelinOS and Handshake. Lee told The Block that its current portfolio includes nine companies and that the firm will invest in around 12 blockchain startups a year.
Anchor; Do Kwon mentioned them as part of a $20M raise, calling the participants the 'Anchor whales' (16-3-2021)
BoardRoom. Participated in a $2.2M raise for BoardRoom (13-10-2020).
Braintrust; according to this thread (8-2021).
The Defiant; one of many investors who took part in the $1.4M raise for Defiant Media (12-4-2021).
InstaDapp. Part of a seed round of $2.4M in InstaDapp (1-10-2019)
Gelato; part of their $11M raise (8-10-2021).
Gitcoin; was part of a $11.4M raise for them (14-4-2021).
Goldfinch Protocol. Participated in a $1M funding round among a list of other funds (3-2-2021).
Immunefi; part of the $5.5M raise (26-10-2021).
Lens; part of the $15M raise by Aave (6-2023).
Notional; one of the supporters according to The Defiant (4-11-2020).
PoolTogether; "a $1.05 million investment round under a simple agreement for future equity. IDEO CoLab Ventures led the round; ConsenSys and DTC Capital also invested."
Syndicate Protocol; was one of 20+ investors in a $1M raise (17-3-2021). Founded by two people connected to IDEO.
Umee; is mentioned as a backer on the Umee website (14-11-2022).

Team, investors, etc.

Ian Lee, managing director of IDEO CoLab Ventures
Gavin McDermott; investor
Will Papper; fellow
Reuben Bramanathan
Tara Tan

Team

Dan Elitzer; ex-founding team member (26-9-2020).