Company Info for dreamdao.xyz | IcebreakerMembers
Josh is a New York-based serial entrepreneur and investor with over 15 years of experience across the ed tech, venture capital, impact investing, and blockchain industries. He specializes in working with early stage companies and in forging public-private partnerships.
He founded and launched Civics Unplugged, which has become the largest and most effective democracy building movement in the world. Recently, Civics Unplugged launched the Dream DAO, which Coinbase highlighted as a DAO that has the potential to rewire the world as it relates to philanthropy and impact.
He is also a partner at AeraVC, an early-growth fund that since 2016 has been investing in deep tech ventures that accelerate the world towards a sustainable future. Recently, in partnership with Gotham Labs, of which Josh is a Co-Founder, and Aera VC they launched Aera Force, which is a DAO made up of climate investors, founders, scientists and civic leaders investing in accelerating us toward a regenerative world through web3.
Josh was a Venture Partner at Human Ventures, an incubator with a reputation for one of the most authentic and disruptive models in New York. While at Human Ventures, Josh founded and launched Onward Labs, a venture studio that uses emerging and distributed technologies to tackle the worldās most pressing issues.
Josh spent much of his career in American politics and in 2017, he became the youngest candidate for Mayor that New York City has seen in over 135 years. Homelessness is a key issue that Josh has always campaigned for; in 2018, he pioneered a blockchain powered system that empowers recipients of aid to verify the impact of the products and services they receive from nonprofit / government organizations.
Josh has a knack for relationship-building and fundraising and has helped raise over $300M+ for non-profit organizations and political campaigns as well as $15M+ for seed-stage startups. Josh remains an active investor to-date and is always on the lookout for opportunities in the climate, carbon, and blockchain spaces. 
I'm a passionate entrepreneur and fintech enthusiast, currently building Leasease ā a platform redefining how India pays rent by offering a dedicated credit line for rent payments, making rent more manageable for tenants while ensuring timely payments for landlords.
With a strong foundation in finance, Iāve cleared CFA Level 1, deepening my understanding of investment management, credit systems, and financial analysis.
š What Drives Me
I have a knack for spotting market inefficiencies, especially in personal finance and fintech. My mission is to create intuitive, scalable solutions that make financial management more seamless and accessible. Whether itās through credit innovation or AI-backed tools, I aim to simplify the complex.
š¼ Professional Highlights
Built and scaled Nayan, a growing optical retail chain in Indore
Currently building Leasease, a rent credit platform offering a more flexible and rewarding way to pay rent
Cleared CFA Level 1, and certified in NISM XV and NISM 8, building strong domain expertise in finance and securities markets
Exploring the quant finance and algorithmic trading space, with aspirations of breaking into elite quant firms like Jane Street
š¤ Interests
Iām drawn to the intersection of AI, data science, and finance, especially in areas like dynamic pricing, credit modeling, and automated trading. Iām actively sharpening my coding and quantitative skills to build disruptive tools for the financial markets.
šāāļø Outside Work
When Iām not building or coding, Iām training for endurance races, organizing basketball tournaments, or experimenting with sports nutrition. I thrive on pushing my limits ā mentally and physically.
š Letās Connect
Iām always open to connecting with VCs, fintech operators, or anyone passionate about transforming finance. Letās build the future of financial infrastructure ā together. 
