From Startup Founder to Venture Capitalist: Innovating Investment Strategies

Most founders want two things: to raise their next round and to exit. Few will say it out loud, but Brian Wong will.

In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Brian Wong, a prodigy who graduated from UBC’s Sauder School of Business at 18, raised more than $40 million in venture capital, and builtKkiip, one of the world’s largest mobile advertising platforms, before selling it in 2019. Now based in New York City, Brian leads Ascii Ventures, a next generation fund redefining what it means to be truly founder friendly.

Together, they explore what makes great founders fundable, how humility and curiosity strengthen leadership, and why the future of venture capital is being shaped by people who have lived the startup experience themselves.

Brian also shares how Ascii's founder focused model aligns incentives, creates a flywheel for liquidity, and helps early stage companies build culture, confidence, and sustainable growth. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of crypto and stablecoins, how mainstream adoption is already underway, and why this shift matters for leaders and investors alike.

If you have ever wondered how top founders think or how investors identify the qualities that predict success, this episode offers both insight and inspiration.

Episode Resources:

Brian Wong: LinkedIn

ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedIn

Sign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up