Vana is a decentralized network designed to overcome the AI 'data wall' by unlocking user-owned data for model training. Users contribute personal data into Data DAOs (DLPs) that aggregate datasets normally locked inside big-tech walled gardens, and contributors are rewarded for the value their data creates. The protocol enables datasets to be used for training AI models in a way that preserves ownership and fair compensation, shifting control of data and its economic upside back to individuals. Vana provides the infrastructure for tokenized, user-governed data liquidity pools and on-chain coordination of data contribution and usage. Backed by Paradigm, Polychain, and Coinbase Ventures, Vana sits at the intersection of crypto data ownership and AI, aiming to make user-contributed data a foundational asset class for decentralized AI development.
Vana
ActiveDecentralized network for user-owned data to train AI models
Total raised
$23M
2 rounds
Stage
Series A
Team
11-50
since 2021
Pricing
Freemium
free plan
Founded
2021
San Francisco, United States
Agent-ready
API
Score 55/100
User-owned data pooling via Data DAOs
Tokenized data liquidity pools (DLPs)
Fair rewards for data contributors
On-chain governance of datasets
Datasets for training user-owned AI
Privacy-preserving data contribution flows
Decentralized data marketplace
Incentive layer for data networks
55/100
Developing
MCP server
Public API
Webhooks
OAuth 2.0
SDKs
— Series A $18M incl. Casey Caruso +2
— Strategic $5M incl. Coinbase Ventures
Capital network
$25M raised ·4 backers·10 network links
- Backers4
- Shared portfoliocompanies these backers also fund
- Extended networkfunds that co-invest alongside them
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- What is Vana?
- A decentralized network for user-owned data that powers AI training through Data DAOs and rewards contributors.
- What is a Data DAO?
- A user-governed pool that aggregates personal data into datasets usable for AI training.
- Who backs Vana?
- Paradigm and Polychain led its $18M round, with Coinbase Ventures joining a strategic round.
- How are contributors rewarded?
- They earn for the value their pooled data generates when used to train AI.
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