About
An early Bitcoin investor since 2013 and creator of the first Opportunity Zone venture capital fund in the U.S., ranked by Forbes among the top 10 OZ fund managers. Over a 30-year career he served on founding teams of startups (two IPOs, two acquisitions), raised over $33M as a founding CEO, and advised major institutions and universities.
Experience
- The Pearl FundsCEO & Chief Investment Officercurrent2018 — presentUSA
- Walmart FoundationAdvisory Board Member2014 — 2016
- Columbia University in the City of New YorkExecutive in Residence2013 — 2015Greater New York City Area
- Goldman SachsGlobal Entrepreneurship Advisor2010 — 2012New York, New York, United States
- TechnoServeGlobal Entrepreneurship Director2010 — 2012New York City
- Academic Venture Exchange (AVX)Member of the Executive Advisors Network (XAN)2008 — 2010Greater New York City Area
- Zurich VenturesManaging Partner2001 — 2009New York, NY
- Tonic Software (now Symantec: SYMC)CEO & Co- Founder1999 — 2001
- IBMDirector, Global Sales, Internet Management Division1997 — 2000
- Information Technologies IncCEO & Founder1985 — 1989
- Ernst & YoungRegional Manager, Consulting1983 — 1985
Education
- Oklahoma State UniversityBachelor's degree, Computer Science
Skills & more
Software as a Service (SaaS)Enterprise Software2Bitcoin2Business-to-Business (B2B)Bitcoin Mining2InvestmentsCryptocurrencyEntrepreneurship47Social Networking1Early-stage Startups1Business Strategy27Global Business Development1
+12 more
FundraisingVenture CapitalSalesInnovationInternational DevelopmentHumanitarianPhilanthropyBoard of Director experienceTurnaround ExperienceThink TankStart-upsStrategyFrom Brian's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended Oklahoma State University18
David WoodsCo-Founder and Strategic Partner at Cortado VenturesTracy PooleInvestor at FortySix Venture CapitalGarrettInvestor at FortySix Venture CapitalCliff CoppersmithBoard Member at Maryland TEDCOJacob DeZarnInvestment Team at Capital Midwest FundTom McNeightOperating Partner at TechOperators Venture Capital
+ 12 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Goldman Sachs1,186
Josh KushnerFounder & CEO of Thrive CapitalFred EhrsamCo-founder and Senior Advisor at Paradigm; founder of NudgeMatt HuangCo-founder and Managing Partner at ParadigmNiki PezeshkiGeneral Partner at Felicis VenturesChris BischoffInvestment Team at General CatalystDamir BecirovicInvestor at Index Ventures
.jpg)
+ 1,180 more
Also worked at TechnoServe29
Kanika MayarPartner, Investment & ESG Officer at Vertex Ventures Sea Management Pte. Ltd.David RodriguezInvestor at Draft Ventures LlcPiruze SabuncuPartner at Square Peg CapitalCJ ArmbrustPrincipal at American Family VenturesRiccardo BasileCEO and Co-Founder at Agora at PICUS CAPITALSanna BediInnovation Specialist at UNICEF Innovation Fund
:format(webp)/f/174198/3860x2650/2526f5efbb/steel-blue-kanika.png)
+ 23 more
Also worked at Tonic Software (now Symantec: SYMC)70
AyshaAdvisor at Clear VenturesSteve SinghManaging Director at Madrona Venture GroupSaket SrivastavaInvestor at Foundation CapitalGeyer JonesFormer Chief Strategy Officer at RSA Security at Scale Venture PartnersDoug NealManaging Director at eLab VenturesTed SchleinGeneral Partner at Ballistic Ventures
+ 64 more
