Acid Labs has raised $8 million in funding to support the development of instant-play web3 games designed for social messaging platforms. The funding round was led by A16z Speedrun and NFX, with additional participation from Fusion VC and key figures in the gaming industry. The company aims to build viral gaming experiences within chat applications, where users are already actively engaged in messaging.
Acid Labs Raises $8 Million to Build "Viral" Web3 Games
Chat-Based Games
Boinkers.io, the company's flagship title, has pulled in 11.5 million monthly players on Telegram. That player count demonstrates how embedding games directly into messaging apps can drive rapid organic growth. Chat-based games tap into existing social networks, making them instantly accessible to groups of friends without requiring separate downloads or account creation. Acid Labs is betting that this integration model will become a major force in gaming, especially as messaging platforms continue to expand their feature sets.
Social Gaming on Telegram
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Industry Support and Investment Details
Jonn Weinberg, Acid Labs' CEO, has spent the last decade founding gaming companies that have collectively generated substantial revenue and engaged millions of players. His previous venture, Fuse.tv, was acquired, adding another successful exit to his track record in digital entertainment.
The investment partners see clear potential in social-integrated gaming. Josh Lu, a partner at a16z Games, highlighted that chat applications come with built-in network effects that naturally amplify gaming experiences. Gigi Levy-Weiss, general partner at NFX, pointed out that successful gaming companies need more than good ideas — they need teams that can execute under pressure. He cited Acid Labs' rapid user acquisition as proof that the team can navigate the fast-moving web3 gaming landscape.
Boinkers.io on Telegram
About Boinkers.io and Future Plans
Boinkers.io is a casual tap-to-earn game built around memes and internet humor. Designed specifically for Telegram, it leans into parody and social interaction to keep players engaged. The game's lightweight design and shareability have made it a hit within chat environments, where friction needs to stay low and viral loops matter more than traditional retention mechanics.
With the new funding, Acid Labs plans to expand its portfolio of social-first blockchain games. The focus remains on creating seamless experiences that integrate directly into messaging apps, eliminating the need for separate downloads or lengthy onboarding. As demand for accessible, socially connected gaming continues to climb, Acid Labs is positioning itself to capture a significant share of this emerging market.
