The Pioneers

Without innovation, we remain stuck in the past. ZIG invests in the companies bringing humanity into the future.

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3474,8 km

16,7 km/h

27 Day

Meet our Pioneers

Patri Friedman
Expedition Leader

Patri Friedman received a BS in math from Harvey Mudd College and an MS in computer science from Stanford University. While in school he experimented with technology startups, ran a small consulting business, and co-founded two intentional communities. In 2008, he left Google and founded The Seasteading Institute with funding from PayPal founder Peter Thiel.

Patri has deep interest in entrepreneurship and venture capital, and made his first angel investment in 2001. He co-founded Zarco Investment Group with Dr. Germano in 2011, and is currently the sole General Partner at Pronomos Capital, the world’s first charter city investment fund. He moved to Austin, Texas in 2023 after 29 years in California, and can be reached as patri at zigfund dot com.

João Germano
Expedition Leader
João Germano graduated from the Catholic University of Lisbon with a degree in law. He completed his post-graduate studies in corporate management. For 15 years, he practiced business law and founded JPG & Associates, headquartered in Lisbon. During this period, he founded companies in the fields of engineering, software development, and real estate investment. João currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of Exergia, a multi-national engineering, architecture, and urban planning organization.
 
In the spirit of continued entrepreneurship, João co-founded Zarco Investment Group. Joao is the co-author of several patents, including a patent for measuring electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones, which enables controlling the degree of exposure to this type of radiation. He can be reached as j.germano at zigfund dot com.

Daniel Kleinmann
Pioneer

In addition to ZIG, Daniel is a Partner and co-founder of Balerion Space Ventures, a VC fund focused on the new space economy. Prior to joining Balerion, he was a founding principal at Explorer 1 Fund, LLP. He began his career managing a single family office out of Dallas, TX. From 2018 – 2021, Daniel was responsible for building out a direct early stage venture capital strategy. Daniel holds an MBA from Tel Aviv University and New York University and an Honors in Business Administration from Western University.

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