WelinderShi Capital

Per Welinder co-founded Birdhouse Skateboards with Tony Hawk, scaling the brand and its distribution platforms to a peak annual revenue of over $35 million, following a career in professional skateboarding. He later worked as a venture capital partner, with investments including Sezzle Inc., which listed on the Nasdaq. He currently operates independently as an interim CEO/COO and operating partner, providing embedded operational leadership to lifestyle enterprises preparing for capital raises or exits.

A veteran venture capital investor with a global track record across Australia, Israel, the US, and China, and notable blockchain/web3 wins including STEPN. He is also founding partner of Follow [The] Seed, Imprint Capital Partners, and Welinder & Shi Capital.

James Kieckhafer is a founding partner at Kieckhafer Schiffer LLP, an accounting firm based in Orange County, California, where he has worked in accounting for over 35 years. His practice focuses on tax, audit, and business advisory services, with concentrations in strategic and financial planning for closely held businesses, partnership taxation, private placements, acquisitions and dispositions, estate planning, and succession planning. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 65 registrations, a California life insurance license, and the AICPA's Personal Financial Specialist designation.

Sandrine Zerbib is the founder of ZW Conseil, where she advises brands on entering or expanding in the Chinese market and supports Chinese companies expanding into Europe. She spent 13 years launching and growing Adidas in China, founded the Shanghai-based firm Full Jet in 2013, and served as President of Baozun Brand Management after Baozun acquired Full Jet in 2021. She co-authored the 2022 book Dragon Tactics with Aldo Spaanjaars and works with luxury brands, business students, and business schools on topics related to China.

Will Kassoy is an entertainment and gaming executive with experience at Activision-Blizzard and Disney. He has led marketing efforts for major video game franchises and managed scaling operations at digital advertising and marketing startups through growth funding and exits. Kassoy currently serves as Chair at Those Beyond and maintains board and consulting roles in digital media, e-commerce, and community management.