In this episode of the BlockFuel podcast, Avi Mash sits down with Augie Ilag, an investment partner at CMT Digital. They discuss Augie’s diverse career journey from McKinsey to Sequoia and CMT Digital, and how his experience in both traditional consulting and venture capital has shaped his approach to the blockchain industry. Augie shares insights on the early-stage investment landscape, founder-market fit, and the unique challenges of assessing startups in the fast-evolving crypto space.

They also dive into how CMT Digital stands out among other VCs, exploring global market dynamics, the importance of on-the-ground experience, and how their trading-oriented heritage gives them an edge in supporting blockchain founders.

Chapters:

📍 Introduction & Career Overview
Augie Ilag talks about his transition from McKinsey to Sequoia and CMT Digital, and how these experiences influence his perspective on blockchain investing.

📍 Life in Asia and Global Market Expertise
Augie shares stories of moving to the Philippines, working in Southeast Asia, and how understanding cultural nuances in these regions benefits his work in crypto venture capital.

📍 Early-Stage Venture Capital & Investment Philosophy
Exploring how CMT Digital simplifies early-stage investment decisions with a focus on founder-market fit, team dynamics, and market opportunities.

📍 Crypto Market Cycles & Global Regulatory Impact
A look into how market cycles and policies across different regions shape investment strategies in the blockchain space.

📍 Founder Insights & Motivation
Discussing the importance of founder motivation, outlier characteristics, and the role storytelling plays in the success of early-stage blockchain startups.

📍 Institutional Adoption & Real-World Assets (RWA)
The rise of institutional interest in crypto and the potential of real-world asset tokenization as a game-changer in the blockchain space.

📍 Gaming and Consumer Applications in Asia
Augie delves into the gaming industry in Asia, discussing key trends, innovations, and why consumer applications are a big focus for blockchain investors in the region.

📍 CMT Digital’s Differentiator
Augie wraps up by highlighting what makes CMT Digital unique among other venture firms and how they support founders with their global and trading-focused approach.