Entirely self-made, Dr Najam Kidwai is the founder and chairman of Crypto 1, the world’s first Crypto special purpose acquisition company which listed on the Nasdaq in December 2021 and raised $230 Million.
Najam is also the founder of the world’s largest digital assets focused secondaries fund, where he raised $500M and CEO of C1 30, the world’s first Digital Assets focused closed end fund which will list on NYSE later this year and was a
co-founder of companies such as Atomic Tangerine, a Stanford Research International Company where companies such a Nuance Communications were founded and Real Time Content.
An active investor in technology globally, he studied Technology Management at Staffordshire University’s Stafford campus from 1988 to 1992.
He has more than 30 years of experience of leading product and business development, investment and operational management in technology, e-commerce and financial services.
He is also a co-founder and executive committee member of EQUIAM, a leading, private-markets-focused venture capital fund. Through EQUIAM he has invested in technology companies including Coinbase, Stipe, Space X, Instacart, Calm and Robinhood.
Najam has also been investing in digital assets, crypto and blockchain since 2016, including companies such as Fusion.org, TransFi and Chainge Finance.
He has also served as an independent advisor, board member, and/or investor in technology companies including ForgeGlobal, Neurable, Cleartrip, InMobi, Servify, ToTheNew Ventures and Asia Innovations.
Now living in Dubai, Najam had what he calls a ‘working class and humble’ upbringing in Bradford.
He says his years at Staffordshire University were transformative and helped to set him on the path to success.
The Award of Honorary Doctor of Technology is bestowed upon Najam in recognition of his fearless, entrepreneurial nature which has seen him work in several influential roles ranging from a CEO and venture capitalist to a board director and a private equity investor.
An accomplished investor he took risks in the digital space acquiring digital assets/crypto/blockchain and several technology companies which paid huge dividends and positioned him as an internationally respected, remarkable figure, notably as the founder and chairman of Crypto 1, the world’s first Crypto special purpose acquisition company.
As an alum of Staffordshire University who came from humble beginnings he is a role model and inspiration to the next generation of students not to mention budding entrepreneurs everywhere.