Gripnr

# High-Level Overview

Gripnr is a Web3 technology company that brings tabletop roleplaying games to the blockchain.[1] The company's mission is to maintain the magic of classic tabletop RPGs while expanding player capabilities onto blockchain infrastructure, creating an industry-standard protocol for 5E games and other TTRPGs looking to build on-chain.[1] Gripnr serves tabletop gaming enthusiasts, NFT collectors, game designers, and artists who want to participate in a Web3-enabled gaming ecosystem. The company solves the problem of bridging the analog tabletop gaming experience—which has thrived for 50 years—with modern blockchain technology, enabling new forms of ownership, community engagement, and monetization through NFTs and on-chain gameplay mechanics.

The company demonstrated early traction by securing $2.5M in seed funding in April 2022, with backing from investors including Humla Ventures, Sopris Capital, Abstraction Ventures, Voodoo Ventures, Better Angels, and Carl Sparks.[2] Gripnr launched its first game, *The Glimmering*, alongside a genesis NFT collection, establishing itself as a pioneer in blockchain-based tabletop gaming.

# Origin Story

Gripnr was founded by a team of successful innovators and creative professionals with deep expertise across technology, music, and design.[1] The founding team includes Patrick Comer, an entrepreneur whose research technology platform Lucid was acquired for over $1 billion; Brent McCrossen, CEO and music industry veteran; Kyle Mortensen, Creative Director with agency experience; and Justin Kamerer, a lead artist and rock poster designer.[1] The company emerged from a vision to honor the 50-year legacy of tabletop RPGs while leveraging Web3 technology to create new possibilities for players, game masters, artists, and designers. The team's diverse background—spanning venture-backed tech, creative direction, and music industry experience—positioned Gripnr to bridge the gap between traditional gaming culture and blockchain innovation.

# Core Differentiators

• Industry-standard protocol: Gripnr is establishing a foundational protocol specifically designed for tabletop RPGs on the blockchain, positioning itself as the infrastructure layer for future games in this category.[1]

• Community-first approach: The company explicitly focuses on building an "active, respectful, and super awesome community" of tabletop gaming fans and NFT collectors, emphasizing respect for the 50-year legacy of TTRPGs.[1]

• Experienced founding team: The team combines successful venture-backed tech founders, creative talent, and industry veterans—including a founder with a $1B+ acquisition exit—bringing credibility and execution capability.[1]

• Integrated platform: Gripnr provides both the gameplay design, on-chain gaming platform, and NFT infrastructure, creating a complete ecosystem rather than a single-point solution.

# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Gripnr operates at the intersection of two significant trends: the maturation of Web3 gaming and the cultural resurgence of tabletop RPGs. The tabletop gaming community has experienced sustained growth over the past decade, driven by streaming platforms like Twitch and cultural phenomena like *Stranger Things*. By bringing this analog experience on-chain, Gripnr addresses the growing intersection of gaming culture and blockchain adoption, particularly among communities already comfortable with digital ownership (NFT collectors) and decentralized gaming mechanics.

The company's focus on establishing an industry standard is particularly significant—it positions Gripnr not just as a game publisher but as infrastructure for an entire category. This mirrors successful Web3 plays where the protocol layer captures more value than individual applications. The New Orleans location also signals an effort to build Web3 innovation outside traditional tech hubs, contributing to geographic diversification in the blockchain ecosystem.

# Quick Take & Future Outlook

Gripnr's success will depend on execution across three fronts: delivering compelling gameplay that honors traditional TTRPG mechanics, building genuine community engagement beyond NFT speculation, and establishing its protocol as the standard for blockchain-based tabletop games. The company's experienced founding team and substantial seed funding provide a strong foundation, but the broader Web3 gaming space remains volatile and unproven at scale.

The timing is favorable—tabletop gaming is culturally ascendant, and Web3 infrastructure has matured enough to support complex gaming mechanics. However, Gripnr must navigate skepticism from traditional TTRPG communities about blockchain integration and prove that on-chain mechanics enhance rather than complicate the core gaming experience. If successful, Gripnr could establish itself as the foundational layer for a new category of gaming, similar to how Ethereum became infrastructure for decentralized finance. The company's ability to attract both hardcore gamers and Web3 natives will ultimately determine whether it becomes a seminal product or a niche experiment.