Fundraising Fox

Zak Cole

Founder

Founder at Slingshot

Nashville, Tennessee

Writes $5K – $50K checks · typically $25K

FoundedSlingshot

About

Zak Cole is co-founder and CEO of Number Group, a venture studio focused on building products across emerging technology. A former U.S. Marine Corps cyber network engineer who deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-08, he has since founded and exited four companies spanning web hosting, ad tech, cybersecurity, and DeFi, including Slingshot, Code4rena, Whiteblock, and Haste Hosting. He has also contributed to Ethereum core research, working on ETH2's peer-to-peer networking layer and authoring EIP-6968.

Founder at Slingshot

Intro paths

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In turn, Zak can intro founders to Slingshot's investors below.

Slingshot's investors · 10

Andreessen HorowitzMenlo Park · $500K – $50M checks · since 2025Coinbase VenturesStamford · $100K – $10M checksD1 VenturesSan Francisco · $100K – $1M checksDigital Currency GroupNew YorkForerunner VenturesSan Francisco · $1M – $20M checks · since 2025Mantis CapitalSanta Monica · $100K – $1M checksNascentSan FranciscoRadical VenturesToronto · $1M – $25M checks · since 2025VOLT CAPITALNew York · $100K – $1M checksWinklevoss CapitalNew York · $100K – $5M checks

Experience

  1. NUMBER GROUPCo-Founder/CEOcurrent2023 — presentNashville, TN
  2. 0xbowCo-Foundercurrent2023 — present
  3. Code4renaCo-Founder (ACQUIRED)2021 — 2024
  4. Slingshot FinanceCo-Founder/CTO (ACQUIRED)2020 — 2023
  5. DeFi PulseTechnical Advisor2021 — 2022
  6. Syscoin PlatformTechnical Advisor2020 — 2022
  7. WhiteblockFounder/CEO (ACQUIRED)2019 — 2022Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
  8. WhiteblockChief Technology Officer2018 — 2019
  9. Enterprise Ethereum AllianceChairman, Testing Working group2018 — 2021
  10. Apposite TechnologiesTechnical Product Manager2017 — 2018Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
  11. ICON FoundationCommunity Lead2017 — 2018Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
  12. Haste HostingCo-Founder (ACQUIRED)2016 — 2018Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
  13. Cole Cyber TechFounder2016 — 2017Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
  14. Beattie Cole Digital Marketing AgencyCo-Founder2015 — 2017Los Angeles, CA
  15. DZR1Web Developer2015 — 2016Los Angeles
  16. United States Marine Corps Forces Central CommandCommunications Engineer2006 — 2011Okinawa, Okinawa, Japan

Skills & more

Blockchain14Cloud Computing9Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)2Digital Marketing57Web Design43Graphic Design50Web Development24User Experience Design12SEO35Video Production20Brand Development9Product Management4
+12 moreTechnical WritingTCP/IPAgile MethodologiesScrumSystem ArchitectureNode.jsGitGoogle AdwordsTeam BuildingGoCryptographyCryptocurrency

Languages English · German · Spanish

  • Google Video Advertising — Google
  • Google Display Advertising — Google
  • Google Search Advertising — Google
  • Google Analytics IQ — Google
  • Google AdWords Fundamentals — Google
  • Hootsuite Social Marketing — Hootsuite
  • Twitter Flightschool — Twitter
  • Facebook Blueprint — Meta

From Zak's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Zak Cole?
Zak Cole is co-founder and CEO of Number Group, a venture studio focused on building products across emerging technology. A former U.S. Marine Corps cyber network engineer who deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-08, he has since founded and exited four companies spanning web hosting, ad tech, cybersecurity, and DeFi, including Slingshot, Code4rena, Whiteblock, and Haste Hosting. He has also contributed to Ethereum core research, working on ETH2's peer-to-peer networking layer and authoring EIP-6968.
Where does Zak Cole work?
Zak Cole is Founder of Slingshot.
What check size does Zak Cole write?
Zak Cole typically writes checks of $5K – $50K.
What companies did Zak Cole found?
Zak Cole founded Slingshot.
Where did Zak Cole go to school?
Zak Cole studied at Otis College of Art and Design; Liberty University (Associates of Science in Information Technology, Web & Mobile Development); Pellissippi State Community College (Associate of Arts (A.A.), Philosophy).

Same school

Also attended Otis College of Art and Design2

Karen MoonInvestor at Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)Stephanie TreinenCreative Director at Boosted Commerce

Also attended Pellissippi State Community College2

Nick WallerInvestor at Enzo VenturesTravis HowertonCo-Founder & CEO at Regscale

Also attended University of Maryland Global Campus27

Mark NjamaExecutive Assistant at Plum Alley InvestmentsAnthony CruzVenture Partner at IronGate Capital AdvisorsJessica SammonsAccountant at Red Cell IncubationAnne-Marie PackwoodVP of Finance and Operations at Siddhi CapitalFrank McAnallyChief Financial Officer at APXJason CahillManaging Partner at Carbon Ventures

+ 21 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Enterprise Ethereum Alliance1

Nikolas C.Strategic Advisor & Board Member at Iron Key Capital

Also worked at ICON Foundation1

Golan RazFounder at Deeto