Who is backing NEAR Protocol?

Who exactly is backing the NEAR Protocol? This is a question that has been floating around the minds of many cryptocurrency enthusiasts and financiers alike. NEAR Protocol, as a blockchain technology, has been gaining quite a bit of traction in the recent past, but who are the key players behind its success? Are there any major financial institutions or high-profile investors who have thrown their weight behind this innovative project? Or is it primarily a community-driven effort, with a diverse group of supporters from various backgrounds? As we delve deeper into the world of NEAR Protocol, it's important to understand the forces that are propelling it forward and the entities that are backing it up.