Roham Gharegozlou

Roham Gharegozlou is a prominent figure in the Web3 and blockchain industry, widely recognized as the founder and CEO of Dapper Labs, the company behind groundbreaking projects like CryptoKitties, NBA Top Shot, and the Flow blockchain. Based in San Francisco, Gharegozlou initially founded Axiom Zen, an award-winning venture studio, from which Dapper Labs spun out. His entrepreneurial journey has consistently focused on leveraging emerging technologies to create novel digital experiences and foster new forms of ownership, establishing him as a visionary leader in the decentralized future.

Under Gharegozlou's leadership, Dapper Labs has achieved remarkable success, pioneering the non-fungible token (NFT) market. CryptoKitties, launched in 2017, was one of the earliest and most popular blockchain games, demonstrating the potential of digital collectibles. This was followed by NBA Top Shot, which brought NFTs to mainstream sports fans, generating hundreds of millions in sales. The company's success attracted significant investor interest, with Dapper Labs raising over $600 million in total funding from a diverse group of investors, including venture capitalists and celebrities. This culminated in a valuation of $7.6 billion in September 2021, underscoring the immense impact of his ventures.

As an angel investor, Gharegozlou strategically deploys capital into early-stage companies that align with his core expertise and vision for the Web3 ecosystem. His investment thesis centers on supporting innovative teams building foundational infrastructure, compelling applications, or new economic models within blockchain, gaming, and decentralized finance. He often seeks out ventures that can leverage the Flow blockchain or contribute to the broader Dapper Labs ecosystem, providing not just financial backing but also invaluable strategic guidance, industry connections, and technical insights.

While specific personal check sizes are not always publicly disclosed, his investments typically range from pre-seed to seed rounds, reflecting his preference for engaging with companies at their formative stages. Given his stature and the significant capital he has raised and managed, his angel checks are substantial enough to provide meaningful runway for nascent startups. His involvement is highly sought after by founders looking to navigate the complexities and capitalize on the opportunities within the rapidly evolving decentralized web.