1. What is NEAR?

NEAR Protocol is a type of token based on blockchain technology, adopting a decentralized peer-to-peer payment mechanism. Here are some basic information about NEAR Protocol:

1. Technical Foundation: NEAR Protocol uses blockchain technology to provide a decentralized distributed ledger database that can record transaction information in real-time, transparently, and without omissions.

2. Consensus Mechanism: NEAR Protocol uses a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm, which means the network's security and validation are achieved by holders staking their tokens.

3. Application Scenarios: NEAR Protocol aims to provide a high-performance, scalable blockchain platform that supports the development and deployment of various decentralized applications (dApps).

4. Security: NEAR Protocol ensures the security and immutability of transactions through its decentralized design and cryptographic algorithms.

5. Community and Ecosystem: NEAR Protocol has an active community and ecosystem, including developers, users, and investors, who together drive the project's development and application.

Detailed information about NEAR Protocol can be found on its official website and related technical documentation.

2. Who founded NEAR?

Based on the provided information, it is not possible to directly determine the founders of Tokens NEER (MNet Pioneer). The relevant information mainly introduces the characteristics and functions of NEER, but does not explicitly mention its founders. If you need to know about the founders of NEER, you may need to visit its official website or white paper for more information.

3. Which venture capital firms invested in NEAR?

According to the provided information, the following venture capital firms invested in token-related projects, but there is no direct mention of investment in the token "NEER" (which may refer to NEAR Protocol):

1. a16z: Invested in NEAR Protocol, leading a $21.6 million investment.
2. Other institutions investing in NEAR Protocol: Including Pantera Capital, Electric, Libertus, Blockchange, Animal Ventures, and others.

If you are referring to NEAR Protocol and not "NEER," then the above information should be relevant. NEER may refer to an abbreviation or a misspelling of NEAR Protocol.

4. How does NEAR operate?

NEER tokens and NEAR protocol are two different concepts. The NEER tokens mentioned in your query actually refer to MNet Pioneer (NEER), while the NEAR protocol is another type of token and blockchain platform. Here is a brief introduction to both:

NEAR Protocol

1. NEAR Protocol is a blockchain that supports the operation of decentralized applications (dApps), using smart contracts and enabling cross-chain interoperability.
2. Sharding Technology: NEAR Protocol utilizes sharding technology to divide the blockchain into smaller, more manageable pieces (shards), with each shard responsible for processing its own set of transactions, significantly increasing the overall capacity of the network.
3. Nightshade Consensus Mechanism: NEAR uses a PoS (Proof of Stake) consensus mechanism known as Nightshade, which allows the distributed network to maintain a high level of security and decentralization while processing network transactions faster and more efficiently.
4. NEAR Token: NEAR is the native token of the NEAR Protocol, used for paying transaction fees and data storage costs. NEAR token holders can also use the NEAR wallet to stake tokens for rewards or vote on governance proposals with their tokens.

MNet Pioneer (NEER)

1. MNet Pioneer (NEER) is a token based on blockchain technology, characterized by decentralization, transparency, and high security.
2. Cross-Chain Capability: NEER has cross-chain capabilities, enabling interoperability with other blockchains for greater connectivity and flexibility.
3. Application Scenarios: NEER supports the construction and development of applications for the metaverse, providing a programmable smart contract and decentralized application development platform.

In summary, NEER tokens and NEAR protocol are two distinct concepts, each with its own features and application scenarios.