Mason Um
Always building.
Co-Founder | Oct 2021 - Sep 2024
Clone Protocol
In June 2021, I embarked on an exhilarating journey as a co-founder of an ambitious startup that set out to revolutionize the DeFi landscape within the Solana Network.With a clear vision to make assets and tokens easily tradable and usable across the Solana ecosystem, and a mission to unlock greater liquidity and accessibility, we raised $2 million in seed funding and built a smart contract system that seamlessly integrated with dual frontends. Our product took off, attracting over 10k users in just five months and hitting a remarkable $20 million in trading volume. Along the way, we crafted a captivating launch campaign, with our launch video racking up over 100k views on X.com within 24 hours. From building partnerships with industry-leading projects like Jupiter and Pyth to ensuring our technology was rock-solid with Halborn's audit, every step was a thrilling adventure. As the co-founder responsible for Product, Design, and Business Development, I led the vision for our user-centric product, driving its seamless design and functionality. I worked closely with our engineering team to ensure product excellence, while simultaneously building strategic partnerships and expanding our business footprint. Additionally, I oversaw compliance efforts to align our growth with the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.Though the startup's journey concluded in September 2024, the experience was a wild ride of innovation, growth, and unforgettable achievements.
Founder | Oct 2020 - Sep 2021
Bravv Exchange
In October 2020, I founded Bravv Exchange with a mission to democratize global securities trading by building a Robinhood-like app.Our goal was to solve the challenge of accessing and trading foreign securities from the U.S., where high costs and limited accessibility had long been a barrier. Starting from scratch, I built a team of three engineers and bootstrapped our MVP, focusing on making foreign assets as easy to trade as local stocks. We aimed to create a seamless, low-cost experience, but the complexities of cross-border regulations and the capital-intensive nature of the project posed significant challenges. By September 2021, I decided to put Bravv Exchange on pause. Recognizing the hurdles ahead, I pivoted to Clone Protocol, a new venture in the DeFi space.While Bravv Exchange didn’t fully materialize, the lessons learned were invaluable, laying the foundation for my next venture.
BD Intern | May 2019 - Sep 2019
Coinone
In my first foray into the world of cryptocurrency, I joined one of Korea's leading crypto exchanges as a business development intern.As the first intern hire, I had the opportunity to take on significant responsibilities early on, spearheading the exploration of growth opportunities in the global remittance market. This experience allowed me to dive deep into the complexities of cross-border payments and identify how blockchain technology could offer faster, more cost-efficient solutions. Working for the third-largest crypto exchange in Korea, I was exposed to the rapidly evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulations, particularly in the areas of AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance. Navigating these global regulations was critical to our expansion plans, especially as we explored blockchain-based remittance solutions through Ripple's technology.This role not only gave me a front-row seat to the intersection of fintech and compliance but also ignited my interest in the transformative potential of cryptocurrencies in global finance.
BS. Industrial and Systems Engineering
Sep 2018 - May 2022
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Aug 2020 | College of Engineering Scholarship
Feb 2020 | Intuit Innovation Challenge – 1st Place
Aug 2019 | Martha Helen (Bergland) and George Walker Dollmeyer Scholarship
Feb 2019 | Accenture Leadership Center Case Competition – 1st Place