What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The November 15, 2021 funding headline referred to Irreverent Labs, a Seattle-area blockchain game studio founded by gaming entrepreneur Rahul Sood. Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto team led the startup’s $5 million seed round, which was intended to fund MechaFightClub—a proposed game of AI-powered robotic chickens, NFT ownership and player-driven competition.
What was announced?
Irreverent Labs said it had raised $5 million in a seed financing led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z Crypto). The other named participants were Mantis VC, Keen Crypto, Unlock Venture Partners and Advancit Capital. Rahul Sood said the round came together in about a week; he told GeekWire it took eight days, while GamesBeat described it as closing in less than a week.
The company was based in Seattle at the time. Contemporary coverage described a team of roughly 16 to 20 people, depending on the report and date. The headline’s reference to “Microsoft vets” should be read carefully: Sood’s Microsoft Ventures background is well documented, while the available reports only generally describe other former Microsoft leaders on the team.
Who is Rahul Sood?
Sood had already built a career across gaming, esports and technology investing. He founded VoodooPC, a gaming-PC company later acquired by HP, and co-founded Unikrn, an esports-betting business that was acquired by Entain. He also led Microsoft Ventures, now known as M12.
#1 Best Overall
- BUILD, CODE & DRIVE YOUR OWN ROBOT CAR: Turn coding, electronics and engineering into a working programmable robot car you can assemble, program and drive; ideal for weekend family projects, STEM classrooms, coding clubs, robotics lessons and maker challenges
- EXPLORE FPV, LINE TRACKING & OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE: Control the robot with the ELEGOO app or IR remote, view live FPV video through the onboard camera, follow black lines, avoid obstacles with the ultrasonic sensor and explore multiple interactive driving modes
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY BUILD WITH GUIDED WIRING: Keyed XH2.54 connectors help reduce wiring mistakes, while the illustrated tutorial and example programs guide beginners step by step from chassis assembly and module connection to programming and the first successful run
- GO BEYOND ASSEMBLY WITH CREATIVE CODING: Program with Arduino IDE to explore movement, sensors and control logic, then modify example code to create custom routes, reactions and robotics experiments that develop coding, problem-solving and engineering skills
- COMPLETE RECHARGEABLE STEM ROBOTICS KIT: Includes an ELEGOO UNO R3 controller board, ESP32-WROVER-based camera and Wi-Fi module, line-tracking and ultrasonic sensors, motors, IR remote and a 2000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery; recommended for ages 8+ with adult guidance for first-time builders
Irreverent Labs represented Sood’s return to game development after Unikrn. That background helped explain why a16z viewed the startup as more than a speculative token project: its founder had experience building gaming businesses, operating in esports and working inside a major technology company.
What was MechaFightClub?
The studio’s first announced project was MechaFightClub. Its characters were robotic roosters and hens designed to be collected, trained, bred and sent into combat. The company described machine-learning or AI systems that could give characters differing fighting styles, abilities and preferences.
The planned player loop was broadly:
- Acquire or receive a robotic bird character.
- Train it and develop its abilities.
- Fight other characters or enter tournaments.
- Breed characters to create new combinations and traits.
- Earn, spend or trade rewards within the game economy.
- Watch competitions and participate in a wider fictional universe.
a16z framed the project as a persistent universe of interconnected stories and unique AI-controlled characters. The company used “metaverse” language for that expandable world and anticipated participation from creators and the community.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRank #2
- 35+ Guided Electronics Projects: Progress from LEDs and buttons to RFID access, real-time clocks, motion and distance sensing, environmental monitoring, motor control and interactive displays for STEM learning, coding clubs and maker projects
- More I/O and Memory for Larger Builds: The MEGA 2560 R3 provides 54 digital I/O pins, including 15 PWM outputs, 16 analog inputs, 4 hardware serial ports and 256 KB flash for projects that combine more sensors, controls and displays
- 200+ Components for Prototyping: Includes LCD1602, RC522 RFID, RTC, DHT11, HC-SR501 PIR, ultrasonic and water-level sensors, GY-521, MAX7219, keypad, joystick, rotary encoder, relay, SG90 servo, stepper motor, DC motor, breadboard and more
- Learn, Modify and Create: Follow 35+ guided lessons with example code, then adjust sensor thresholds, timing, display text, motor behavior and control logic to turn structured exercises into access systems, monitors, alarms and interactive projects
- Organized for Repeatable Learning: Pre-soldered modules, a solderless breadboard, storage case and small-parts box reduce setup time and keep sensors, LEDs, ICs, wires and other components easy to find between projects
These descriptions were a product vision, not proof that every proposed feature was available in a completed commercial release. The November announcement described a forthcoming game, with additional details expected later.
How were NFTs and Solana supposed to fit?
The characters were intended to be represented as NFTs on Solana. In the pitch, that would let players hold a blockchain-recorded asset, trade it and participate in an economy outside the game’s ordinary database. Ownership histories, breeding results and character traits could become part of a collectible’s identity.
That model offered potential benefits:
- Tradable digital characters with verifiable transaction histories.
- Persistent collectibles that could retain histories across transactions.
- New reward and creator-participation mechanisms.
- AI-generated variation between otherwise similar characters.
It also had important limits. An NFT does not automatically provide permanent access to a game, control of the underlying artwork or intellectual property, guaranteed value, or compatibility with unrelated games. Players would still depend on the studio’s servers, software and rules, as well as wallets, marketplaces and the Solana network.
Rank #3
- 🎁Ideal Gift for Kids & Teens: Celebrate child’s growing skills and important milestones with this 5-in-1 Programmable robot set. Whether for birthdays, holidays, or achievements, it’s the perfect gift that encourages learning and hands-on fun—a gift that grows with them
- ✨STEM Educational Toys: The robot set for kids ages 8+ combines the fun of STEM learning. It encourages hands-on learning and early programming as they build, which can spark creativity and imagination and provide hours of screen-free play
- 📱Flexible Dual Control Modes: Control the Robotic kit with the intuitive app (Bluetooth) or remote. Enjoy fun features like basic programming, path, and precise movement, exploring endless interactive play
- 🔄 5-in-1 Buildable with Varying Difficulty: The Robot Kit with Progressive Difficulty! From simple robots to complex models, kids can build a robot, dinosaur, car, tank, and more. Adjustable head, arms, and tail allow for fun, playful poses. Perfect for kids 8-12 to develop skills step by step and ignite creativity
- 🛠️Clear & Detailed Build Instructions: This robot kit includes 488 pieces, with clear, colorful step-by-step instructions to make assembly easy. Kids can build their own robots independently or with family, enjoying quality time together and a confidence-boosting building experience
Why did a16z invest?
In its investment announcement, a16z highlighted the founders’ gaming and technical experience, the project’s unusual humor, AI-controlled characters and the possibility of a persistent world that could expand through community and creator contributions.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The deal also fit the investment climate of late 2021. NFTs, play-to-earn games, metaverse products and blockchain-based digital ownership were attracting substantial venture capital. GeekWire noted that a16z had announced a $2.2 billion crypto-focused fund that year. That context helps explain the speed of Irreverent Labs’ fundraising, but venture backing was not evidence that MechaFightClub would achieve product-market fit or mainstream adoption.
Compared with a traditional game, the proposal placed unusual weight on the economy around the game. The intended incentives could attract collectors, competitors, spectators and creators, but they could also make speculation more important than gameplay.
Rank #4
- 🎁 Ideal Gift for Kids & Teens: This STEM solar robot kit celebrates child’s growing skills and important milestones. Whether for birthdays, holidays, it’s the perfect gift that grows with them and offers screen-free fun
- 📚 STEM Educational Toy: This solar educational toy brings science to life! The fun DIY building experience sparks children's curiosity in engineering and renewable energy, while nurturing their problem-solving skills
- ☀️ Powered by the Sun: Enjoy outdoor play with solar power or switch to a strong artificial light source indoors, such as a flashlight, ensuring uninterrupted play for children. This solar build bot toy encourages kids to have fun while exploring renewable energy
- ⚡ Upgraded Larger Solar Panel: Features a large sun-catching surface to harvest more sunlight and deliver stronger power output. Kids discover renewable energy principles through play - a fun educational toy for ages 8+
- 🤖 12-in-1 Buildable with Increasing Challenge: With 190 parts, kids can build 12 models like robots, cars, and more. From simple beginners to advanced builds, the varying difficulty levels allow it to grow with your child’s skills. Each robot sparks children’s creativity
The business model’s trade-offs
A player-owned economy can create new ways to monetize characters and reward participation. It can also introduce risks that ordinary games do not face to the same degree:
- Volatility: Token and collectible prices can change sharply.
- Speculation: Players may buy assets for expected resale value rather than enjoyment.
- Friction: Wallet setup, transaction fees and marketplace steps can deter players.
- Economic sustainability: Play-to-earn systems can become dependent on continuous new-user demand.
- Shutdown risk: An on-chain token can remain visible even if the game itself stops operating.
- Regulation: Rules for tokens, rewards and digital assets vary by jurisdiction.
The comparison sometimes made at the time was Zed Run, a blockchain horse-racing ecosystem built around collectible and breedable NFT horses. The analogy helps explain the appeal of scarce, evolving digital competitors, but it does not mean the two products had identical mechanics or business models.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What happened after the seed round?
Irreverent Labs later announced a $40 million Series A in May 2022. a16z again said it was leading the financing, Solana Ventures joined the investor group, and the company said its original seed investors participated again. The follow-on round demonstrated continued investor support, but it did not by itself establish user numbers, revenue, valuation or commercial success.
Best Value
- Build your own awesome, wearable mechanical hand that you operate with your own fingers.
- No motors, no batteries — just the power of air pressure, water, and your own hands!
- Hydraulic pistons enable the mechanical fingers to open and close and grip objects with enough force to lift them. Every finger joint can be adjusted to different angles for precision movement.
- Three configurations: right hand, left hand, and claw-like; adjustable to fit virtually any human hand.
- Learn how pneumatic and hydraulic systems are used in industrial robots such as automobile components..2021 The Toy Association's STEAM Toy Of The Year Winner
That financing should remain separate from the November 2021 seed round: the first was $5 million, while the later Series A was $40 million. The company’s own account of the Series A is available through its announcement.
Where does Irreverent Labs stand now?
As of August 2026, Irreverent Labs’ public website presents the business primarily as a “synthetic intelligence” company and lists several projects, including Boktoshi, Supermodel.ai, Fight/Deck and MechaFightClub.
That site confirms a continuing public presence and that MechaFightClub remains listed, but it does not establish whether the game is actively operating as a commercial product, has been transformed into a technology project or has been discontinued. The reviewed sources also do not establish current revenue, active-user numbers or market performance.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBottom line
The 2021 announcement was a notable venture bet on the convergence of gaming, AI, NFTs and blockchain economies. Irreverent Labs and Rahul Sood proposed a distinctive game in which robotic characters could learn, fight, breed and circulate as Solana-based digital assets. a16z’s $5 million seed investment—and the $40 million Series A that followed—showed strong investor conviction. They should not, however, be confused with proof that the proposed game became a successful mainstream product.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
