UVC: Aly Madhavji from Blockchain Founders Fund on the similarities and differences of investing in Web3 startups when compared to SaaS startups, risks of tokenisation and the influence of VCs on Web3
Understanding VC is a deep dive into how venture capitalists work. In this episode, I speak to Aly Madhavji, the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund. Aly begins the podcast by discussing his interest in Web3 and the reasons for starting a VC fund focused on blockchain and other emerging techs. He talks about the differences and similarities of investing in Web3 startups and SaaS startups & the risks of tokenisation. In the later part of the episode, Aly shared his thoughts on whether DAO could offer a better model than the current VC partnership model and the transparency issues in Web3 startups. Towards the end of the episode, he shares his perspective on the statement made by Jack Dorsey: ‘VCs control Web3’.
In this episode you will learn:
- Why did Aly start a VC fund focussed on Web3 and other emerging techs
- What are some of the differences and similarities of investing in Web3 companies when compared to SAAS companies?
- What are the risks of tokenisation?
- “If you have a good social media presence or an audience, Web3 startups would want your money.” How true is this statement?
- What are some of the transparency issues in web3 startups?
- Can venture capital move away from the current partnership model to a DAO model in the future?
- Is Jack Dorsey right when he says VCs control Web3?
About
Aly Madhavji 穆亚霖 is the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund which invests in and venture builds top-tier startups. He is a Limited Partner on Loyal VC and Draper Goren Holm. Aly consults organizations on emerging technologies such as INSEAD and the UN on solutions to help alleviate poverty. He is a Senior Blockchain Fellow at INSEAD and was recognized as a “Blockchain 100” Global Leader by Lattice80.
He is an internationally acclaimed author, publishing three books and a monthly columnist for the leading blockchain magazine. Aly serves as a board member of CryptoStar Corp. (TSXV: CSTR), Soluna Holdings (NASDAQ: SLNH) and has served on various advisory boards including the University of Toronto’s Governing Council, which manages a $2.5B budget. He is a mentor with Chinaccelerator, an elite accelerator program operated by the venture fund SOSV with $1.1B+ AUM and the Mobile Only Accelerator (MOX).
Aly holds a Master of Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University (清华大学), a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD (Singapore and France), and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Toronto.
Aly Madhavji 穆亚霖
Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund and LP at Loyal VC & Draper Goren Holm
Aly Madhavji 穆亚霖 is the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund which invests in and venture builds top-tier startups. He is a Limited Partner on Loyal VC and Draper Goren Holm. Aly consults organizations on emerging technologies such as INSEAD and the UN on solutions to help alleviate poverty. He is a Senior Blockchain Fellow at INSEAD and was recognized as a “Blockchain 100” Global Leader by Lattice80.
He is an internationally acclaimed author, publishing three books and a monthly columnist for the leading blockchain magazine. Aly serves as a board member of CryptoStar Corp. (TSXV: CSTR), Soluna Holdings (NASDAQ: SLNH) and has served on various advisory boards including the University of Toronto’s Governing Council, which manages a $2.5B budget. He is a mentor with Chinaccelerator, an elite accelerator program operated by the venture fund SOSV with $1.1B+ AUM and the Mobile Only Accelerator (MOX).
Aly holds a Master of Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University (清华大学), a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD (Singapore and France), and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Toronto.
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