Gengmo Qi, also known as GM, is a partner at the venture capital firm Dragonfly, where he focuses on early-stage investments within the blockchain and technology sectors. He is a computer scientist with a background in consensus algorithm research, software engineering, and traditional finance, holding a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell University. ^[4]

Education

Qi earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science from Cornell University, graduating in 2024. During his time at Cornell from 2019 to 2021, he served as a graduate researcher and was an active contributor to the Initiative for Cryptocurrencies & Contracts (IC3). In this capacity, he engaged in blockchain-related research, contributing to the academic exploration of cryptocurrencies and smart contracts. ^[1]​

Career

Qi began his career in traditional finance with a role as a summer analyst at Credit Suisse in 2017. During this time, he worked with structured funds and equity derivatives. He transitioned into the cryptocurrency space in 2018, joining ThunderCore as a research engineer. At ThunderCore, a role he held until 2019, his work centered on the research and development of consensus algorithms, which are fundamental to the operation and security of blockchain networks.

In 2021, Qi applied his technical expertise as a software engineer at Chainlink Labs. His contributions focused on the development of transaction-ordering systems. Such systems are critical components in blockchain infrastructure, designed to ensure that transactions are processed in a fair and predictable sequence, which is a significant challenge in decentralized networks.

In December 2021, Qi joined Dragonfly as a partner. In his current role, he specializes in identifying and supporting promising early-stage startups in the blockchain and technology industries. His background in both deep technical research and practical software development informs his investment focus. ^{[2] [1]}

Panels

VC View on Defi

During a panel discussion at Aptos DeFi Days featuring Qi, Henrique Centiero (Hashkey Capital), Edward Tan (Hashed), and moderated by Neil Harounian (Aptos Labs), the participants reflected on their backgrounds and experiences in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. The conversation began with personal anecdotes, such as how the panelists transitioned from their initial careers in traditional venture capital to focusing on crypto and DeFi. They discussed current market trends, identifying areas where competition may lead to consolidation among decentralized exchanges, and debated the viability of under-collateralized lending in DeFi. Each panelist shared their views on successful fundraising strategies for startups, emphasizing the importance of careful partner selection and maintaining manageable equity stakes. Collectively, they offered insights on building strong cap tables, the significance of community support, and the advantages of aligning with well-established funds to navigate the evolving landscape of crypto investment. ^[3]