Ash Arora

Partner at LocalGlobe

Youngest partner at LocalGlobe, a leading seed-stage venture capital firm in London, Ash Arora joined us to discuss the evolving landscape of Web3 and AI investments. She has quickly risen to prominence in the venture capital space, leading LocalGlobe's blockchain and B2B AI initiatives. Before joining LocalGlobe in 2022, Ash was the Investments Lead at Polygon, where she managed a $100 million venture fund that focused on early-stage Web3 startups backed by major investors like Sequoia and SoftBank.

Arora's journey into venture capital began after she transitioned from banking at Citibank to the crypto sector. Her deep interest in blockchain technology was sparked when she invested in Bitcoin in 2017, and since then, she has remained an advocate for the sector's potential despite regulatory hurdles. In addition to her current role, she has been recognized for her insights on how AI's growth is impacting venture capital and the Web3 ecosystem, noting that the focus on AI has surged dramatically in recent years.

Biography

Ash Arora's academic background includes a degree in economics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women in India. She made a bold career shift from traditional banking to blockchain, quickly establishing herself as a key player in the sector. Her leadership experience extends beyond venture capital, having worked with philanthropic organizations on tech-related social impact projects.

Thought Leadership

Arora emphasizes that venture capital must adapt to emerging technologies, advocating for founder-driven investments and flexible funding strategies. She continues to influence the blockchain space, particularly in terms of how AI and Web3 intersect, and remains a prominent voice on the regulatory challenges facing crypto.

For more information, you can explore her story at LocalGlobe and her views on the future of blockchain funding at platforms like Metaschool and Oxford Gen AI Summit.