Member Since 2022
Zain Jaffer
Zain Ventures
San Francisco Bay Area
Zain Jaffer is an entrepreneur and investor with a diverse portfolio of real estate, startups, crypto, and other assets. He is the founder of Zain Ventures, a family office that is dedicated to supporting and encouraging visionary entrepreneurs who are looking to shake up industries and create new ones. Zain Jaffer founded his first major startup, Vungle, in 2011 when the mobile app industry was in its infancy. Vungle provided in-app video ads on mobile phones and eventually scaled to reach 1B+ people per month across 100,000 mobile apps. The company's revenues eventually grew to in excess of $400M and the company was profitable. In 2019, Vungle was acquired by private equity giant Blackstone for $780M. Since then, Jaffer has turned his attention to the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors, making a number of investments in promising startups through Zain Ventures, Blue Field Capital VC Fund and 44.Capital, a VC fund that he advises. Some of his notable investments in these sectors include Digibuild, Lofty.ai, Akru, QuantmRE, Fabrica, Robinland, and HoneyBricks. Jaffer's background in the tech and real estate industries gives him a unique perspective on the world of investing. He has dealt with external angel venture capitalists and investors in various capacities, including as a founder, CEO, board member, shareholder, sponsor, co-investor, and a limited partner. This wealth of experience has allowed him to develop a successful and effective investment strategy for Zain Ventures.
SKILLS
- Venture Capital
- Startup Founder
- Monetization
RECENT CONTENT
May 9th, 2023
12 factors VCs should focus on when vetting crypto and blockchain companies
Due diligence when vetting crypto and blockchain companies comprises considering both traditional business factors and unique imperatives.
May 5th, 2023
Should crypto be rebranded?
What people need to realize is that the technology of blockchain, and the shenanigans that some people pull, are two totally different things.
May 2nd, 2023
17 factors to consider when evaluating a potential Web3 partnership
Proper vetting of potential Web3 partners includes looking both at traditional business fundamentals and industry-specific USPs.
April 27th, 2023
11 industry leaders discuss effective ways to ensure compliant staking
Staking protocols are subject to evolving and varying regulations, so be prepared to monitor and meet new legal requirements.
April 11th, 2023
11 tips for companies considering blockchain to manage logistics
While blockchain can be impactful, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s important to consider your unique situation and needs.
April 11th, 2023
Europe and Asia — not the US — will lead in blockchain
With this move to try and kill crypto, the US is potentially ceding what could be its lead to other countries.
April 6th, 2023
15 ways crypto companies can manage costs in the current economy
Balancing cost-cutting efforts with smart efficiency strategies can help crypto companies weather current macroeconomic conditions.
March 16th, 2023
Is crypto a commodity or a security?
This case goes beyond the survival of Ripple and XRP. It actually lays the predicate for the SEC to charge many of the other cryptos as securities.
March 14th, 2023
10 important social media ‘don’ts’ for crypto and blockchain companies
Bad social media habits can do damage not only to your project and company’s reputation, but also to the burgeoning crypto industry as a whole.
March 9th, 2023
10 ways communities can attract Web3 businesses to set up shop
Attracting Web3 businesses will take a blend of traditional strategies and a commitment to helping the industry develop a firm foundation.
February 28th, 2023
13 tips for using Twitter to build and grow your company’s community
The crypto and blockchain industry grew up with Twitter, and the platform remains a vital networking tool.
February 23rd, 2023
16 ways crypto leaders can help bridge the gap between Web3 and TradFi
To persuade TradFi firms and Web2 users to think outside the box, Web3 pioneers first have to do so themselves.
February 8th, 2023
The war among blockchains should stop to speed up adoption
Sometimes we are so engrossed in internecine warfare among the chains and tokens that we fail to realize the regular folks who have no idea what we are talking about.
February 7th, 2023
12 tips to help crypto and blockchain companies win VC funding
In a time when VC funding is hard to come by, crypto companies seeking to attract investors must focus on value, not hype.
January 24th, 2023
7 ways to address the dev talent shortage in the crypto industry
The crypto industry isn’t unique in facing a developer shortage, but it can develop some unique solutions to the problem.
January 17th, 2023
10 practices crypto can borrow from TradFi to better protect customers
The crypto industry would be wise to learn from and adopt the proven principles and processes TradFi relies on to protect consumers.
January 12th, 2023
15 ways crypto companies can be more transparent with customers
Full transparency around transactions, projects and technologies is the only way crypto can grow as an industry.
December 27th, 2022
Crypto self-custody faces hurdles before widespread adoption
The recent crash of centralized crypto exchange behemoth FTX has again brought the original intent of Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto to the fore.
December 22nd, 2022
10 crypto leaders on ways devs can increase the security of bridge protocols
For effective, consistent results, enhancing the security of bridge protocols must begin with smart practices by developers.
December 15th, 2022
16 industry leaders on practical ways to boost crypto’s reputation
Changing negative perceptions of the crypto industry entails a combination of education and consistent, smart SOPs.
December 13th, 2022
15 things crypto leaders should focus on as interest rates rise
While rising interest rates can entail increased risk for the crypto industry, they may also bring new opportunities.
COMPANY INFO
Zain Ventures
Zain Jaffer, a successful entrepreneur and investor, created Zain Ventures as a family office to support and encourage those seeking to disrupt industries and create new ones. The company has a diverse portfolio that includes real estate, startups, cryptocurrencies, security tokens, and more. Its investment approach is simple: invest directly in or partner with intra-industry innovators and place strategic capital with the best fund managers. To execute this well-thought-out investment management strategy, Zain Ventures works with over 100 highly respected and industry-leading fund managers in the fields of public equities, fixed income, and alternative investments. These fund managers are chosen based on their ability to generate strong returns for the company's portfolio and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Zain Ventures holds a varied portfolio of assets and has the freedom to invest across a range of asset classes, geographies, return profiles, timelines, and strategies. All investments and funds under management belong to the personal estate of Zain Jaffer, which allows the company to make investment decisions independently. With a significant amount of experience in the tech and real estate industries, Jaffer has served in various roles including as a founder, CEO, board member, shareholder, sponsor, co-investor, and limited partner. This has given him a unique perspective on the world of investing and enabled him to develop a successful investment strategy for Zain Ventures. Overall, Zain Ventures is committed to making a positive impact through its investments and partnerships. Whether supporting visionary entrepreneurs or investing in innovative technologies, the company aims to make a difference in the world.
AREA OF FOCUS
- Angel Investment
- Real Estate Investment
- Commercial Real Estate
INDUSTRY
Investment Management