One thing's for sure: the world of crypto venture capital is changing. And it's not just the investors who are leading the charge—there are some new stars in the mix, too.
A lot of these names you'll likely recognize—Zac Prince and Gokul Rajaram, to name a few—and there are some real up-and-comers you may not have heard of yet. Here are 14 crypto VCs making waves in the world of venture capital, according to industry commentators and VCs themselves:
Maya Zehavi: Founding Partner at Tachyon Ventures.
Rohit Kulkani: Co-Founder and Operating Partner at Dragonfly Capital.
Nick Shalek: Founding Partner at Ribbit Capital.
Elizabeth Ralston: General Partner at Outline Ventures.
Toby Shorin: Co-founder & Senior Partner at DoubleNova Group.
Cheryl Cheng: General Partner at K2VC.
Charles Hudson: Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures.
Ann Li: Managing Director & Co-Founder of Ceyuan Ventures USA Ltd., also an investor in USABizGo Inc.
Hannah Yang: Managing Director & Founding Partner of DFund USA, also an investor in ComplyAdvantage, Basis Protocol, etc.
Chris McCann: Investor at Greylock Partners, also an investor in Coinbase, RippleX, etc.
Richard Liu: Investor at Susquehanna International Group LLP (SIG), also an investor in dYdX Protocol, MakerDAO (Maker), etc.
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The Technical Evaluators: Experience in Blockchain Development
The technical evaluators know a lot about blockchain and cryptocurrency. They have the experience and wisdom to understand the various applications of emerging technology, as well as the challenges associated with it. The technical evaluators understand how to identify projects that have true potential, and then work with each team to ensure the project succeeds.
These venture capitalists have a wealth of knowledge in blockchain development, ranging from ICOs and smart contracts to distributed ledger technologies like Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric. They can also identify opportunities for leveraging new technology for industry-specific use cases such as digital identity, supply chain management, and enterprise asset management.
Ultimately, these technical evaluators seek out projects that build applications that solve real-world problems. They structure deals that are beneficial to both the investor and the company, while recognizing potential regulatory pitfalls before they arise.
Here are some of the top rising stars in crypto venture capital.
The Global Crypto Investors: Beyond Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley may be a hotbed of venture capitalists and tech investors, but the crypto investor landscape is multiplying far beyond American shores.
Here's a deeper look into some of the global crypto investors that have been making a name for themselves this year:
Beijing-Based ZhenFund
Led by experienced venture capitalists Xu Xiaoping and Sequoia Capital's Zhang Ying, ZhenFund is one of China's longest-standing investment firms. Especially in the past five years, they have increased their focus on crypto investments, having participated in more than 120 deals this year alone.
Hong Kong's Infinity Ventures
Founded by Japanese entrepreneur Takashi Sano in 2016, Infinity Ventures has consistently invested in innovative blockchain projects throughout Asia since its inception, having made more than 50 investments over the past 4 years.
Berlin-based Outlier Ventures
Founded by Jamie Burke in 2014, Outlier Ventures has become one of Europe’s most prolific early stage investors for blockchain, DLT and Web 3.0 technologies. The team has been involved in more than 60 investments since inception, many of which have become some of the industry’s greatest success stories.
Female VCs Blazing a Trail in Crypto
Female VCs are blazing a trail in the crypto space, as more and more talented women enter the industry. Some of the top rising stars in crypto venture capital today include:
Jessie Wang - China Growth Capital
Jessie Wang has been at China Growth Capital since 2018, taking on a lead role in investments in blockchain and digital currency companies. She has done deals with some of the top projects in the blockchain space, such as Tether, Dash Core Group and 0x.
Annabelle Huang - Collinstar Ventures
Annabelle Huang joined Collinstar Ventures as an Investment Partner early this year. Huang's tenure with the company has already seen it make a number of successful investments in blockchain and cryptocurrency startups, including BlockFi, Digital Asset Exchange (DAEX) and Harmony.
Eileen Lowry - Wavemaker Genesis
Eileen Lowry is an Investor at Wavemaker Genesis, where she leads investments into early-stage cryptocurrency and blockchain technology-focused startups. She previously worked at Bain & Company before joining Wavemaker Genesis, so her deep experience within corporate finance and strategy makes her a valuable asset for any startup looking to get into the world of crypto venture capital investment.
These are just three of many inspiring women setting new standards within the world of crypto venture capital and inspiring others to follow suit. Whether you're looking for investment advice or networking opportunities within this rapidly growing space, be sure to keep an eye on these women – they could be the next big thing in crypto venture capital!
Conclusion
As the cryptocurrency industry continues to grow and evolve, having an experienced crypto venture capitalist to guide your investments is essential. From tech startups to established corporations, there are a plethora of opportunities for investors to take advantage of. But, with so many investors vying for a piece of the pie, it can be hard to stand out—that's why it's vital to know who the rising stars are in the industry.
The 14 investors we featured in this article are the cream of the crop and are primed to make a massive impact in the crypto industry in the years to come. With their diverse backgrounds, ranging from tech to finance to entrepreneurship, these investors have what it takes to help you and your business succeed in the digital economy. It's time to take things to the next level, and these powerful crypto venture capitalists are the ones to take you there.