GM, web3! This is part of a new mini series, featuring profiles of people who have left Web2 for Web3 and exploring why they made the leap. If you have ideas for people to feature (including self-nominations!) reach out to us @Sarah or @Vedika.

Today, we’re excited to profile Katie Chiou, investor at Coinbase Ventures.

First, some context: what did you used to do, and what are you doing now?

I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2020, prepared to go back to investment banking -- instead I joined FirstMark, a New York VC firm, to help lead content and community. While I was very interested in startups in college, FirstMark was my first formal intro to the VC/startup ecosystem. I am currently an investor at Coinbase Ventures.

What was your first exposure to crypto/web3?

My first exposure to crypto/web3 was through my own friends/community. I remember vividly having roundtable discussions around crypto (notably one about Positive Sum Worlds: Remaking Public Goods s/o Other Internet), as well as helping a few crypto founder friends navigate fundraising and roadmaps. 

I'd say my first "formal"/large scale exposure to crypto was through joining Gitcoin's KERNEL fellowship (s/o KB4), where I met more incredible thinkers/leaders in the space.

What was your “aha” moment / why did you decide to go FT into web3?

My silly answer is that I saw a tweet that said "DAOs are just Model UN for adults" and then I was instantly cryptopilled. At a higher level, I think we are at a transformative moment in time where society's most intellectually curious and community-minded individuals are working together to build new worlds (s/o https://pluriverse.world/), and I'd be remiss to not contribute in any way I can.

Most surprising thing about entering web3 full-time?

No one has all the answers. The nascency, fluidity, and freedom of crypto are all its strong points, but they also make it incredibly difficult to create shared norms and build in the space.

Any learnings from the process?

Your community is everything, and you find community by asking intentional questions and following those answers down the rabbithole. :)