Your First Agent, On Us | ZhenFund Token Grant

We've been thinking lately: in the AI era, what do the next generation of founders need most when they set out?

Ideas? Of course.

Courage? Of course.

A sense of mission? That'll carry you further down the road.

But unlike in the past, what many AI founders lack today isn't necessarily a team, an office, or a first paycheck.

Today, one person is a company of one, and one agent is the seed of a venture.

So for this new generation of AI founders, what they're more often missing is the model and compute resources needed to quickly turn an idea into a first version, plus enough chances to iterate and fail.

And behind all of that is real, actual token consumption.

Today, ZhenFund and Crossing are launching the Token Grant: RMB 50,000 in token credits for each selected project, supporting you from the very beginning to build the next generation of AI-native products.

It started from a share by ZhenFund investment director Zhong Tianjie on "the relationship between humans and agents." We realized that in the age of agents, many things are changing — including the path of entrepreneurship.

On the journey of exploration, you need tokens, and you need companions.

The ZhenFund investment team and investment partner Koji will be involved throughout. We'll discuss demos with you, iterate together, listen to what you're most driven to build, and support you along the way.

You don't need to be a company. As long as your idea is up and running, that's enough.

Scan the QR code below to apply.

We look forward to seeing your first version.

Q: What is the ZhenFund Token Grant?

A: The Token Grant is a program launched by ZhenFund and Crossing, aimed at founders who have already built a first version of their product and are exploring new possibilities with AI. We provide selected projects with RMB 50,000 in token and compute support. Apply by scanning the QR code or through the "Read More" link.

Q: Do I need to use a specific vendor's models?

A: No. We care more about what you're building, how you're building it, and whether it's actually running. We'll also do our best to connect you with frontier models and developer resources, introducing you to more excellent builders. We believe good builders will actively choose the tools that fit them best.

Q: What's the application process?

A: We'll reply by email within one week of receiving your application. If your project advances to the next stage, we'll invite you to speak further with the ZhenFund team about your product and ideas, and make a final decision from there.

Q: I'm not ready to fundraise — I just want to build the product first. Is this for me?

A: Yes. The Token Grant is not a fundraising readiness test, nor is it an advance judgment of whether you're "fundable." It's a program to support early exploration, for founders and super-individuals who have already started building and are turning ideas into a first version.

Q: If I've already raised funding, can I still apply for the Token Grant?

A: You can apply. However, the Token Grant will prioritize founders and small teams who haven't yet completed institutional fundraising and are still in the early product exploration stage. We especially hope to find projects that are polishing their first version and iterating rapidly. If you have already raised funding, you're still welcome to submit an application; we'll make a holistic assessment based on your stage, resource needs, and product progress to determine fit for this program.