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Sector 06 · Digital asset infrastructure
Digital finance is one part of our story. Joaquim has built, launched and backed companies in this market across three market cycles. Today we back the infrastructure that lets institutions and real businesses issue, settle and hold assets on modern rails.
The thesis
This market has moved from speculation to plumbing. Digital dollars settle real payments, tokenized funds hold real value, and institutions that once dismissed it are now building on it.
Much of our record was earned here. Joaquim co-founded MLG Blockchain, a fintech consultancy, and scaled it from 4 to 120 employees in 9 months with zero external funding. He co-founded TrustSwap, a fintech platform for escrow and capital formation, as CMO; it reached a $400M+ market cap and users in 75+ countries. He also led Alpaca Network to a $1.2M community round in 2 weeks.
Three cycles taught us one thing: what lasts is real utility and real users, not price momentum. We back teams building utility, distribution and compliance that outlast a cycle.
Themes
Bringing funds, credit, real estate and commodities onto digital rails, with real legal and operational structures.
Settlement, treasury and cross-border payments built on digital dollars and other currencies.
Custody, compliance, trading and data for institutional participation.
Launch strategy, incentive design and distribution for networks that grow with their users.
Studio companies here
A fintech platform for escrow and capital formation that reached a $400M+ market cap, with users in 75+ countries.
20164→120 in 9 monthsA fintech consultancy scaled from 4 to 120 people in nine months with zero outside funding.
2024$1.2M in 2 weeksAI infrastructure. Raised $1.2M in its community round in two weeks.
What we look for
How the studio helps
Every service below comes from a role Joaquim has actually held. We picked the ones founders in this sector ask for most.
Launch strategy, pricing, channels and community-led growth, including launches in regulated fintech markets.
Experience · Co-founded TrustSwap ($400M+ market cap, users in 75+ countries). Alpaca Network’s community round raised $1.2M in 2 weeks.
Communities, memberships, retreats and events that turn customers into advocates.
Experience · Co-founded Remote Work Villas’ retreats. Built the user communities at TrustSwap and Alpaca Network.
Positioning, brand, messaging and a plan tied to revenue, from the first campaign to a full marketing function.
Experience · Led an 8-figure brand launch at L’Oréal Canada. CMO at TrustSwap. Youngest person ever on the Canadian Marketing Association’s Martech Council.
Fundraising readiness, investor mapping and warm introductions to angels, funds and family offices. Plus help structuring the round.
Experience · Backed 70+ companies as a founding partner of GDA Capital, including 2 seed-to-unicorn outcomes. Alpaca Network raised $1.2M in 2 weeks. LP at Holt Xchange.
Partnerships, corporate development and positioning: the relationships that open markets and doors.
Experience · Founding Partner of GDA Capital. Mentor and advisor at Techstars, Founder Institute, Outlier Ventures and FounderFuel.
Organic growth through content, search and editorial. An audience you own instead of rent.
Experience · Built The Alternative Ways to 1M+ monthly views through SEO.
Press, speaking and a clear point of view that make you easier to find and to trust.
Experience · Featured in the Financial Post, BNN Bloomberg and Authority Magazine. Speaks on scaling, fintech and AI.
Distributed teams that work: an async cadence, clear tooling, written documentation and a culture that survives distance.
Experience · Has built and run companies from 75+ countries, including a fintech consultancy that grew to 120 people fully remote.
Digital asset infrastructure is one of our eight sectors. It is also where we carry the most scar tissue: three market cycles of launches, communities and capital formation.
Other sectors
Profitable, community-anchored businesses that we help grow with patient capital and modern tools.
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04Automating the physical economy with AI, software and machines: manufacturing, logistics, construction and agriculture.
05The space economy after the launch revolution: data, communications, in-orbit services and the software that ties them together.
06Payments, capital-markets technology and financial services rebuilt for global, remote-first customers.
07AI agents, applied AI and agentic autonomous organizations (AAOs): companies where humans and AI agents share the work under one rulebook.
Work with the studio
Tell us what you’re building and what you need. We read every application, and every founder gets an answer.
