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Zak Cole

Founder

Founder at Slingshot

Nashville, Tennessee

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

FoundedSlingshot

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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 · 11

Andreessen HorowitzMenlo Park · $500K – $50M checks · since 2025Coinbase VenturesSan Francisco · $100K – $10M checksD1 VenturesSan Francisco · $100K – $1M checksDigital Currency GroupNew YorkElectric CapitalPalo Alto · $1M – $20M checksForerunner 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).

Founder mafias

Otis College of Art and Design mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Vincent HarkiewiczBFAFounded Grownetics

Pellissippi State Community College mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Travis HowertonASFounded Regscale

Same school

Also attended Pellissippi State Community College1

Travis HowertonCo-Founder & CEO at Regscale

Shared employers

Also worked at ICON Foundation1

Daeki LeeInvestor at TransLink Capital