Ken Nguyen
Head of Web3 & AI at Diagram Ventures
Los Angeles, California
Overview
Work Experience
Cofounder, Managing Partner
2025 - Current
AI and web3 venture building
General Partner (non-operating)
2020
Value investments in blockchain companies & digital assets
A cryptocurrency and blockchain based assets investment fund.
Partner, Head of Web3 & AI
2022 - 2024
► Built the web3 & AI team and oversaw the venture creation process end-to-end, including ideation, validation, founder search, and fundraising ► Served on the board of all portfolio companies launched ► Member of investment committee for Diagram Ventures Fund III (early stage) and Diagram Opportunities Fund (growth stage) investing in both incubated companies and external deals Ventures built and launched: Helika (Series A): Web3 gaming analytics infrastructure Conduit (Seed Ext): Stablecoin payments infrastructure in emerging markets (Board role only) Axle Automation (Seed): GenAI enabled work flow automation for compliance teams Katara (Seed): GenAI powered workflow tools for DevX teams Stealth (Preseed): Embedded B2B lending for SMEs Stealth (Preseed): GenAI workflow automation for freight management
Advisor
2022 - 2022
Digital asset focused multi-family office
Founder, Managing Partner
2021 - 2022
Independent investment and advisory focused on blockchain, digital assets, and generative AI applications. ► Advise blockchain companies on capital raising, GTM strategy, strategic partnerships, token economics (e.g. Wave Financial, Cub3, Phlote, Collateral Velocity) ► Advise blockchain funds on capital raising, investment strategy, portfolio construction, deal sourcing (e.g. Dialectic, Symbolic Capital, Off the Chain Capital, Sustany Capital) ► Invest in companies (Angel, Seed), cryptoassets (private, public), and selectively in funds (GP, LP stakes)
Advisor
2022 - 2022
Blockchain VC fund Cofounded by Sandeep Nailwal (Polygon) and Kenzi Wang (Cere Network)
Advisor
2021 - 2022
Digital asset management firm with $1.5B+ AUM
Wave Digital Assets is a digital asset management company that combines venture capital, funds, and wealth management.
Advisor
2021 - 2021
Blockchain VC Fund
Sustany Capital is a technology venture fund headquartered in Newport Beach, California.
Managing Director, Investments
2015 - 2020
► Led investment team and served as senior strategist at multi-B family office; entrepreneurial focus at tech intersection of sports, media, entertainment, financial services, and real estate ► Led thematic research, sourcing, execution, and management of control and strategic minority investments ► Led investment underwriting, strategy, business planning, and token modeling for incubated blockchain ventures ► Served as senior strategist for $1B global portfolio of companies, funds, JVs, and special projects ► Built network of over 200 high AUM family offices to source unique deal flow and capital Blockchain Incubations: Project Liberty (full stack Web3 social project including the Frequency parachain on Polkadot and decentralized social network protocol); Project Liberty Labs (Dapps and tooling); blockchain ticketing for sports (discontinued) Blockchain Investments / Acquisitions: Undisclosed cryptoasset analytics and trading company; NAX (New Asset Exchange) Group Sports Tech / Real Estate Tech: Overwatch League - Paris Eternal; Dugout; Full Stack Modular Infrastructure: Incubated Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies in LA (https://www.laart.la/) to connect Union Station to Dodger Stadium. JVs / Funds: Seed investment for MGG Investment Group (special situations direct lending fund); McCourt Partners - Launched $1B investment JV Sports: Olympique de Marseille Football Club; Global Champions; Conqur Endurance Group Commercial Real Estate: Portfolio with 5M developable sq. ft. in LA, Hudson Yards, Miami, London, St. Tropez
McCourt an investment firm that creates partnerships to discover new opportunities and innovative ideas.
Vice President, Restructuring and Special Situations
2007 - 2015
►Joined at inception of global financial crisis after developing a convicted thesis on looming credit market issues at Wharton ►Specialized in deal structuring, negotiation, and analysis in complex special situations as advisor to companies and investors ►Led execution of 16 transactions ($47B in deal value); $38B debt restructured at 14 companies, $4.6B in M&A (4 distressed sales; 2 buy side), and $4B in capital raised across 5 debt financings ►Expertise in providing strategic recommendations to C-suites, Boards, and investors involving business / strategic plans, valuation, investment strategy, capital structure, and liquidity Deals Representing Companies: ► $2.3B record sale and restructuring of the Los Angeles Dodgers; $10B cross-border restructuring of pulp and paper manufacturer AbitibiBowater (IFR Restructuring of Year, 2011); $1.6B exchange offer / refinancing and strategic review for Toys "R" Us; restructuring of General Motors Acceptance Corporation re: Residential Capital ($9B in liabilities); Hawkeye Renewables; Natural Products Group; Pacific Lumber; Global Champions. Deals Representing Private Equity Sponsors, Hedge Funds, Banks, Pensions: ► Sears; Kaupthing; (largest bank in Iceland); Foxwoods Resort Casino; A123 Systems; Indiana Downs; Vitro America; Asian Art Museum