Curt Shi hires Shaun Gladwell as an Artist in Residence for his funds
At a time when AI dominates headlines, venture capitalist Curt Shi, known for his early-stage investments in lifestyle trend-setting startups, is hiring Australian Shaun Gladwell as an Artist in Residence across his VC funds Imprint Capital Partners (a Fund of Funds) and Welinder & Shi Capital (which is focused on lifestyle tech).
The collaboration breaks with data-driven VC conventions by working with an acclaimed artist and departs from the popular belief that technology and AI will render humans irrelevant in many areas, including investing.
Curt Shi, a venture capital veteran, has a unique perspective on the role of lifestyle and community in successful investments. "Our approach to lifestyle startups is different. We focus on identity, cultural resonance, and community building," Shi explains. "This helps us predict or shape consumer trends and create powerful brands that unite people around them."
The VC is an early investor in several successful startups across multiple verticals, including web3. He is one of the first investors in StepN, a blockchain app that incentivises users to run with cryptocurrency rewards. At its peak, the app generated a 1600x return for investors within six months.
Shi's partnership with Shaun Gladwell, an artist renowned for integrating technology into his art, is a testament to the VC’s belief that technology alone isn't enough. "Finding incredible opportunities is often an art as much as a science," Shi emphasises. "Intuition, creativity, and human connection are as important as data and analysis."
Gladwell, who shares a deep connection with Shi rooted in their passions for skate culture, art, and the transformative power of technology, sees this collaboration as a natural fit. "As an artist, my work has often involved the intersection of art and technology. The position as an Artist in Residence aligns with my belief that art and technology can help not only anticipate but also shape the future," Gladwell states.
Shi and Gladwell's collaboration is a pioneering approach in the industry. It embraces their diversity of views and ideas to discover innovation. "By integrating an artistic perspective into a world that usually focuses on numbers and data, we are challenging conventional wisdom and opening new possibilities," Gladwell explains.
The partnership with Gladwell is part of Shi's philosophy of partnering with diverse, often unconventional individuals to bring fresh perspectives. "This approach sets our firm apart and leads to unexpected, successful collaborations," Shi concludes.
As the venture capital world navigates the AI era, Curt Shi and Shaun Gladwell's collaboration is a bold statement that the future of investing lies not just in technology but in the fusion of art, lifestyle, and innovation.
About Curt Shi
Curt Shi is an experienced venture capitalist with a track record of founding and investing in game-changing technologies. He is a founding partner at Imprint Capital Partners, Welinder & Shi Capital, ProDigital Future Fund, and Follow the Seed. He has also been an earlier investor in companies such as Qian8ao, Catapult Sports (ASX: CAT), Jayride (ASX: JAY), Sezzle (ASX: SZL), Airtasker (ASX: ART) and STEPN. With operations in China, the US, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Israel, Shi's investments have a global reach.
About Shaun Gladwell
Shaun Gladwell is an Australian artist who has gained critical acclaim for his unique exploration of the intersection between technology, images, and art. He is well-known for his innovative use of emerging technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, in his work. Gladwell was the first video and new media artist to be selected as the Australian War Memorial's official war artist, and he worked in Afghanistan. He has extensively exhibited his work in Australia, Asia, the United States, and Europe, participating in numerous international biennials and triennials.
