The former CEO in Asia for Jefferies Group LLC[1], a major global investment banking firm, has joined as head of EOS[2]’ $1 billion venture capital arm effective Thursday, July 5. The news has been revealed in an official announcement[3] from EOS creator Block.one[4].
After serving almost eight years in his former post, Michael Alexander will be based in Hong Kong and serve as a member of the Block.one Executive Committee.
As the new CEO of EOS’ VC unit, Alexander will manage both direct venture investments and EOS VC partnerships, with a focus on sourcing and investing in projects that build on the EOSIO ecosystem.
Block.one has major plans[5] to invest over $1 billion in EOSIO ecosystem projects through its venture arm, and has already allocated approximately $700 million through VC partnerships in the United States, Europe and Asia, according to today’s statement.
These notably include a partnership[6] for a $325 million EOSIO Ecosystem Fund with Mike Novogratz[7]’s cryptocurrency merchant bank Galaxy Digital LP, as well as $50 million[8] secured in funding from blockchain investment firm SVK Crypto.
Alexander is quoted in today’s statement as saying he believes that:
“Block.one is shaping the next generation of technology and the internet. The vision of its founders has resulted in it being one of the fastest-growing organizations in the world...The company’s unique position as the publisher of the EOSIO open-source code means that it is poised to lead the way in investments related to the burgeoning platform.”
Alexander joins Rob Jesudason, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Australia[9]’s Commonwealth Bank (CBA), who left[10] the bank to work for Block.one back in May.
