Riz Virk
Bio:
Rizwan “Riz” Virk is a notable figure in the realms of entrepreneurship, investment, futurism, and the gaming industry. An alumnus of MIT with a B.S. in Computer Science, he furthered his education with an M.S. in Management from Stanford’s GSB. Virk is presently pursuing a PhD at ASU’s College of Global Futures, focusing on metaverse and virtual worlds. He is also imparting knowledge as a Faculty Associate at the Fulton School of Engineering, specializing in entrepreneurship and the Metaverse.
Riz’s entrepreneurial journey began at MIT’s Play Labs, a startup accelerator he founded. He currently oversees Bayview Labs and contributes as a venture partner at Griffin Gaming Partners, one of the largest gaming VC funds. His advisory roles extend to startups, VC firms, educational institutions, blockchain organizations, and private foundations.
A prolific angel investor in Silicon Valley, Riz’s portfolio includes significant investments in companies like Tapjoy, Telltale Games, Discord, and many more. In the gaming world, he is known for games such as Tap Fish and Penny Dreadful: Demimonde. His influence also extends to the indie film industry, producing movies like Thrive and Knights of Badassdom.
Riz has authored books like “Startup Myths & Models,” “The Simulation Hypothesis,” and “Zen Entrepreneurship.” His insights have been featured in Inc. Magazine, Tech Crunch, and NBC News.com, among others. He has also appeared on various media platforms, from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to Fox News.
With expertise spanning startups, the VC industry, video games, blockchain, and more, Riz also explores topics like meditation, consciousness, and simulation theory. His podcast, The Simulated Universe, delves into these cutting-edge issues.
Social Media:
Website:
Visit Riz Virk’s Official Website
Books:
Explore the works of Riz Virk, including “The Simulation Hypothesis” and “Zen Entrepreneurship.”