We continue “Deep Dives” on Fintech, here with fund managers. ParaFi focuses on blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi). Irongate focuses on Cyber Security. The summary agenda is below and here is the preliminary
Keynote Ben Forman: Managing Partner of ParaFi Capital, an investment firm focused on blockchain and decentralized finance with $100mm+ AUM backed by Galaxy Digital, Bain Capital Ventures and Henry Kravis, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of KKR. Ben was previously an executive at private equity firms KKR and TPG, and holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. ParaFi began investing in DeFi in 2018, deploying capital behind leading protocols such as Compound (lending and interest accrual), Aave (asset borrowing), Uniswap (automated liquidity provision), and Synthetix (synthetic asset trading). In addition to investing in DeFi protocols, ParaFi actively supports its portfolio as a power user, liquidity provider, and governance participant.
Keynote Hamlet Yousef: Managing Partner of Irongate Capital, which invests in early-stage companies and venture funds focused on defense, national security, and dual-use applications of advanced technologies. IronGate is composed of a multidisciplinary team with decades of experience in national security, defense, technology and finance. Hamlet has 10+ years of intelligence community service, 10+ years of vetting and analysis of disruptive technologies and trends, 20+ years of government Fortune 100 sales, marketing, and management. He earned his MBA at Pepperdine.