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The Rollup
The Rollup combines a global podcast network with a 75-startup seed portfolio, co-founded in 2020 by Andy and Rob.
The Rollup
The Rollup launched in 2020, originally branded DeFi Slate, when co-founders Andy and Rob combined their backgrounds in online poker, digital marketing, and a previous University of Florida math-and-philosophy education to build a media outlet covering decentralized finance. The firm operates from a distributed network spanning Singapore, San Francisco, London, and more than a dozen other global hubs, reflecting its posture as an always-on node in the international blockchain conference circuit — the founders have spoken or moderated at Digital Asset Summit, DC Blockchain Summit, SmartCon, EthCC, and EthDenver. The firm’s investment model is built around a content-to-capital flywheel. The Rollup produces a weekly podcast and research posts on topics ranging from stablecoin banking architecture to the intersection of AI and zero-knowledge privacy stacks, which generates proprietary deal flow. It then deploys capital through The Rollup Ventures vehicle, focusing on seed-stage direct investments. Its publicly stated activity spans blockchain infrastructure, digital assets, and the privacy-tech stack, with recent podcast coverage surfacing projects such as NEAR Protocol, Zcash, HYPE, Venice, Grass, Warden Labs, and Kraken’s institutional-grade financial layer. The firm’s partnership list includes dozens of top digital asset and fintech brands, complementing an angel portfolio that exceeds 75 startups. With 15 team members distributed across 16 cities and a library of over 1,000 podcast episodes recorded, The Rollup functions as a hybrid: part media company, part early-stage venture syndicate. The co-founders have personally invested in more than 50 companies alongside the firm's broader portfolio. Their operational footprint now spans live event hosting, founder advisory engagements, and a research output that regularly surfaces underdiscussed corners of the onchain economy — such as RWA perpetuals and full-reserve stablecoin models. No dedicated philanthropic or LP-structured vehicle is disclosed; the firm maintains a lean, founder-capitalized posture. The firm’s structural distinction lies in its media-native origination engine. Rather than raising a blind pool or charging management fees, The Rollup uses conference-stage credibility and weekly content production to access allocation in early rounds before institutional capital arrives. This architecture makes it a price-discovery mechanism for seed-stage protocols disguised as a podcast network — a model that sits between traditional angel syndicates and venture studios, with no direct peers among regulated fund managers.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2020
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Asia
Country
Singapore
City
Singapore
Corporate office
Singapore
Additional offices
London · Ho Chi Minh City · Munich · Accra · San Francisco · Hong Kong · Dubai · Vancouver · Tel Aviv · Amsterdam · Gibraltar · Bengaluru · Berlin · Fort Lauderdale · Beijing · San Mateo
Principals
Andy (co-founder)
Co-founder
Rob (co-founder)
Co-founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How does The Rollup source its deal flow?
Deal flow is sourced primarily through the firm's media and conference footprint. The co-founders record weekly podcasts with founders and builders, speak at flagship conferences like EthCC and Digital Asset Summit, and publish research on onchain infrastructure. These activities generate direct relationships that convert into early-stage allocation before projects undertake broader institutional raises.
Does The Rollup manage outside capital or operate as a fund?
The Rollup does not publicly disclose a structured fund vehicle. Its investments appear to be made through The Rollup Ventures and the co-founders' personal capital, functioning more like an angel syndicate and advisory network than a regulated fund manager. No fee structure or LP commitments are publicly reported.
What investment stages and sectors does The Rollup target?
The firm focuses on seed-stage startups across the blockchain stack. Core themes include decentralized finance, zero-knowledge privacy infrastructure, AI-meets-crypto convergence, stablecoin architecture, and real-world asset tokenization. Publicly referenced projects include NEAR Protocol, Zcash, Grass, Venice, Warden Labs, and Kraken's onchain financial layer.
Who makes investment decisions at The Rollup?
Decision-making sits with the two co-founders, Andy and Rob. Andy's background combines mathematics, philosophy, and extensive conference speaking; Rob brings digital marketing and business scaling experience. Both have personally invested in 50+ companies in addition to the firm's broader portfolio, and they jointly conduct hundreds of founder conversations annually.
Where does the name 'The Rollup' come from?
The name directly references the rollup scaling technology used in Ethereum layer-2 networks, signaling the firm's technical orientation. The firm originally operated under the name DeFi Slate before rebranding, aligning its identity with a deeper infrastructure thesis rather than purely the decentralized finance application layer.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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