Rob Sebastian

Co-Principal Investigator

2024

Investigating the complex intersections of technology and humanity across the digital age, from AI ethics and safety to digital mortality and metaverse behaviors. Advising on AI pre-training frameworks, digital rights at end of life, corporate governance, digital sociopathy, LLM development bias, cybersecurity and policymaking.

Member Of The Board

2020

Member Board Of Directors

2020

Hickory Farms, established in 1951, evolved from selling handcrafted cheese to a large leading food supplier and retailer. Now headquartered in Chicago, they specialize in curated gift baskets and boxes. While shifting from traditional mall stores, they maintain a strong presence and growth through e-commerce and seasonal pop-ups, focusing on providing premium food gifting solutions for both individual and corporate clients.

Investor. Partner.

2016

Digital Platform Designer and Tech Architect, Sponsorship, and Strategy - Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment https://www.xixentertainment.com/. JV partnership with SAP Current and Recent Work: > Beach House Group (Funding, eCommerce and Digital Strategy) > Moon Brand (Kendall Jenner), Beis Travel (Shay Mitchell) > Florence by Mills Brand (Millie Bobbi Brown) > SAP (D2C Platform Development, Now United) > FC Bayern Munich > Arbonne International Corporation > GirlStarter (TLC Show) > Accenture > GDP Ventures > Henkel A.G. > Former Consultant Perfect Corporation (YouCam Perfect Mobile) > Former Advisor to Publisher, Meredith Corporation > Former Advisor to CEO, Sears Holding Corporation > Former Advisor to Board, Pulse Evolution Virtual Reality > Former Consultant Daimler Mercedes-Benz > Former Consultant, Sephora

Investor and Founding Partner

2014

A socially-conscious women's fashion company w a strong focus on charities that support women in conflict regions. Started by actor/activist Robin Wright, designer Karen Fowler, and business executive Rob Sebastian to use their passion to initially help women in the Congo. Raised seed round financing through a successful crowdfunding pre-sales campaign online. PLFdreams.com The Company is now distributed in major luxe retailers around the world including Nordstrom, Neiman-Marcus, Browns, Selfridges, Hudson Bay, and many others.

Board Director

2002

Company is North America's largest independent video game and application development and publishing studios. > Member of the Board of Directors > Co-financing and production - worked with banks on financing deals > Entertainment liaison with media companies: Disney, Viacom, Fox, WB, Universal, Sony, Paramount > Strategy and implementation of new business initiatives > Audit committee member > Created Gamification Agency focusing on consumer markets, training and education > M&A on a Latin American based development studio owned by Universal Games.

Managing Director

2017 - 2023

Cathexis Holdings, LP is a private equity, single member family office based in Houston, TX with global investments in seed stage venture capital, network operating and data centers, energy, real estate and technology. Board director and board advisor to several portfolio companies.

Co-Founder and Principal

2017 - 2022

Co-founded and led a venture capital firm investing in socially responsible consumer brands, focusing on underrepresented entrepreneurs in beauty and wellness.

Founder and CEO

2015 - 2018

Acquired by Highlight Communications, AG With offices in Berlin Germany, Basel Switzerland and Los Angeles California, RSB focuses on the strategy, development and design of engagement programs for multi-national corporations, professional sports teams, and celebrity talent using game design methodology and data-analysis.

Member Of The Board Of Advisors and Investor

2013 - 2017

- ACQUIRED BY AIRBNB 2017 - Crowdtilt is a red-hot startup based in San Francisco, CA and the fastest growing crowdfunding company in the world - Raised $34 MM from investors including Marc Andreessen, SV Angel, Sean Parker, Y Combinator, - Recently listed as “one of best new startups” by TechCrunch