Diana Biggs
Partner at 1kx
Zurich, Zurich
Overview
Work Experience
Partner
2022 - Current
Partner at global venture firm 1kx. Working hands-on with founders and C-level teams to drive growth, scale infrastructure, and navigate strategic milestones. Leading key initiatives across GTM, capital markets, hiring, and ecosystem positioning for a global portfolio of 90+ companies.
Associate Fellow
2024
Re-elected as Associate Fellow with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Guest lecturer on digital assets and blockchain technology for the MBA and EMBA programs.
Board Observer
2024
Board Member
2021
Board Member of HIVE's Swiss entity.
Associate Fellow
2020 - 2024
Guest lecturer, MBA & EMBA Fintech Electives, 2017 - Present Mentor, Creative Destruction Lab Oxford, Fintech stream, 2021 - Present Head Tutor, Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme, 2018 - 2020 Mentor and judge for the Oxford Fintech Lab
Group Chief Strategy Officer
2021 - 2022
Chief Strategy Officer of Valour parent company DeFi Technologies (NEO: DEFI) (GR: RMJR) (OTCQB: DEFTF), a publicly traded technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and digital assets, following its acquisition of Valour, the exchange-traded product business where I was CEO, in 2021.
CEO
2020 - 2021
Valour is an issuer of exchange-listed financial products that enable retail and institutional investors to access investment in disruptive innovations, such as digital assets, in a simple and secure way. Led the company as CEO from launch to acquisition by publicly traded company DeFi Technologies, now Valour.
Global Head of Innovation, Private Banking
2019 - 2020
Responsible for the innovation function for HSBC's Private Bank globally, leading on fintech partnerships, piloting the use of emerging technologies and driving internal and external engagement activities to embed innovation and digital understanding throughout the business.
Head of Digital Innovation, UK & Europe, Retail Banking and Wealth Management
2017 - 2019
Leading digital innovation projects including the development of new potential products and services, both in-house and through partnerships, in areas such as digital identity, open banking, conversational banking, and financial wellness. Projects include Artha by First Direct, Winner of the 2018 Celent Model Bank Award for Most Promising Proof of Concept
Oversees relationships with the venture capital community and connects their portfolio companies to the right people at HSBC.
Board Member
2018 - 2019
Open Identity Exchange (OIX) is a non-profit, technology agnostic, collaborative cross sector membership organisation with the purpose of accelerating the adoption of digital identity services based on open standards.
Fellow: Inclusive Finance & Blockchain Technologies
2016 - 2017
Anthemis is an investment and advisory firm focused on reinventing financial services for the 21st century. As a Fellow, I explored the potential for social impact models using blockchain technology, commercially via Proof of Purpose, and as an advisor and researcher in the space working with startups, NGOs and academia.
Vice President, Head of Growth & Partnerships, UK & EMEA
2015 - 2016
Drove partnership development and growth for blockchain-based digital money platform, Uphold.com, including strategic analysis, operational design and management of programs.
Uphold’s technology enables individuals and businesses to invest, exchange, spend and transfer currencies, commodities, equities, and more.
Raised $74,900,000.00 from Ruttenberg Gordon Investments, Coil, Hard Yaka and Rosemoor Capital Management.