Matthew Le Merle

Matthew Le Merle is a business executive, investor, and author with about four decades of experience in private equity and venture capital investments. 

He is the Managing Partner and CEO of Blockchain Coinvestors, an investment management firm specialising in blockchain technology. 

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blockchain Coinvestors has a global presence investing in 40 blockchain ventures worldwide, supporting a portfolio of 750+ blockchain companies and projects, including over 75 unicorns in the blockchain sector.  

Aside from his role at Blockchain Coinvestors, Matthew is also the Managing Partner of Keiretsu, a prominent early-stage venture investor backing more than 300 companies annually.

He is also the Managing Partner of the Fifth Era LLC. The Fifth Era Office invests globally in private equity and venture funds, in addition to direct investments in operating companies and other private opportunities, including real estate.

He is also a member of Bank of Angels, the first high-tech angel investment group in the USA with millions of dollars of annual investment into 20+ startups each year. He is also the Chairman of Securitize in Europe and Vice Chairman of SFOX.

Matthew has been advising Fortune 500 CEOs and boards with McKinsey & Company, later leading practices at A.T. Kearney and Monitor Group on the West Coast. He also held senior executive roles at Gap Inc., including SVP of Strategy and Corporate Development, and SVP of Global Marketing.

Matthew has also served as Chairman or Non-Executive Director on boards of 15 public and private companies. He holds active Advisory Board roles in high-growth firms across sectors such as digital content, eCommerce, fintech/blockchain, business services, consumer, and retail.

Matthew has also delivered keynotes at Durham University UK (Build Your Fortune), Oxford University UK (Oxford Inspires 2015, 2016), Oxford University SAID Business School UK (Entrepreneurship), Stanford Graduate School of Business USA (Entrepreneurship), Stanford University USA (China Innovation), amongst many others.

Matthew is also a bestselling author of several books, including ‘The Intelligent Investor – Silicon Valley’, ‘Blockchain Competitive Advantage’, ‘Corporate Innovation in the Fifth Era’, ‘Build your Fortune in the Fifth Era’, and novels like ‘The Ministry of Bitcoin’, and ‘Second Chance’. 

Educated at Christ Church, where he earned a B.A. (Double First) and a Master’s degree, Matthew also holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Matthew C. Le Merle is a highly accomplished figure in the fields of global business strategy, investment management, and corporate governance. Throughout his career, through various sectors and continents, Matthew has made significant contributions as a strategy advisor, corporate executive, and venture capital investor.

Matthew’s academic journey began with a solid foundation in education. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Christ Church, Oxford, achieving a BA with Double First-class Honours. Continuing his academic pursuits, Matthew earned a Master’s degree from the same institution, further developing his knowledge base in geography and scholarly pursuits.

Upon completing his education at Oxford, Matthew entered into the world of business strategy and management consulting. He achieved a successful career at McKinsey & Company, a renowned global management consulting firm. During his tenure there, Matthew provided strategic guidance to Fortune 500 companies, advising CEOs, boards, and executive teams on critical business decisions.

Matthew further honed his expertise in corporate strategy and operations as a practice leader at A.T. Kearney and Monitor Group. His leadership roles within these firms extended to overseeing their West Coast operations, where he played a pivotal role in shaping strategic initiatives for clients across various industries.

In his corporate journey, Matthew held senior executive positions at Gap Inc., a prominent global retailer. He served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development, as well as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing. His contributions at Gap Inc. were to growth strategies and enhancing market positioning in the competitive retail landscape.

Beyond his corporate roles, Matthew has been deeply engaged in the investment and entrepreneurial ecosystem. He co-founded Blockchain Coinvestors in 2014 and currently serves as its Managing Partner and CEO. Headquartered in San Francisco, Blockchain Coinvestors focuses on alternative investments in blockchain technology, supporting a portfolio of over 750 blockchain companies and projects globally.

Matthew’s impact extends to his role as Managing Partner at Keiretsu, a leading early-stage venture capital firm. Keiretsu is renowned for its proactive approach in backing innovative startups across diverse sectors, under Matthew’s strategic leadership.

In addition to his executive roles, Matthew is a prolific author and sought-after speaker. He has authored several bestselling books, including "The Intelligent Investor – Silicon Valley," "Blockchain Competitive Advantage," "Corporate Innovation in the Fifth Era," and "Build Your Fortune in the Fifth Era." These publications reflect his deep insights into investment strategies, digital transformation, and the evolving landscape of business innovation.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Matthew is actively involved in various cultural and academic institutions. He holds memberships in prestigious organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society, Royal Geographical Society, and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, reflecting his commitment to environmental stewardship and scholarly pursuits.

Matthew C. Le Merle envisions a future where digital currencies, commodities, and assets are integral to global financial infrastructure. As the Managing Partner and CEO of Blockchain Coinvestors, he leads investments that support emerging blockchain companies and projects worldwide. His vision, rooted in extensive experience in corporate strategy and venture capital, centres on the inevitable integration of blockchain technology into mainstream financial systems. Matthew believes in the transformative potential of blockchain to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in financial transactions. Through Blockchain Coinvestors, he aims to improve innovation and growth in the blockchain ecosystem and support partnerships and investments that operate technological advancement. Matthew's strategic leadership extends beyond investment management; he advocates for the large adoption of blockchain solutions across industries, imagining a future where digital assets play an important role in shaping global economic landscapes.