Do I Qualify?
Zain Jaffer's avatarPerson

Zain Jaffer

CEOZain Ventures

San Francisco, CA

Member Since December 2022

Skills

Entrepreneurship
Start-Ups
Social Networking

About

Zain Jaffer is a successful entrepreneur and investor with a diverse range of business ventures. He has a passion for using technology to solve problems and create value, and has spent his career finding innovative ways to do so. Jaffer's first major startup was Vungle, a company that provided in-app video ads on mobile phones. Founded in 2011, when the mobile app industry was in its early stages, Vungle was able to scale and reach over 1 billion people per month across 100,000 mobile apps. The company's revenues eventually grew to over $400 million and it became profitable. In 2019, Vungle was acquired by private equity giant Blackstone for $780M, marking a major milestone in Jaffer's career. In addition to his work with Vungle, Jaffer is also a partner at Blue Field Capital, a US real estate investment firm. At Blue Field Capital, he works with other real estate investors and manages the Bluefield Strategic Fund, a venture capital fund that has invested in over 20 companies. Jaffer is also a board member for several of the fund's portfolio companies, including Visual Feeder, Canopy Analytics, and Basking.io. Alongside his work with the Bluefield Strategic Fund, Jaffer is also involved in a range of commercial real estate ventures, including multifamily, hospitality, senior care, and construction. Expanding on his work in the tech and real estate industries, Jaffer also runs a family office called Zain Ventures. This company allows him to invest across a range of different asset classes and has currently appointed over 100 fund managers. Through Zain Ventures, Jaffer is able to support and encourage visionary entrepreneurs who are looking to shake up industries and create new ones. In addition to his business endeavors, Jaffer is also actively involved in philanthropy and giving back to the community. He runs a private foundation that supports causes all over the world, such as climate change documentaries about India, funding clean water infrastructure in Africa, and supporting organizations like Moms Against Poverty. Jaffer believes in using his success and resources to make a positive impact on the world and has supported numerous charitable causes over the years.

Published content

20 ways to prioritize professional development for maximum impact

expert panel

Feeling overwhelmed by all of your options for professional development? Here's how to select the most impactful business events, conferences, and training programs. Staying ahead in any industry requires continuous networking and education, but with countless options available, making the right choices can be challenging. It's important for you to focus on the events and programs that will provide the most value for your time and investment.  To help you navigate this decision-making process effectively, Fast Company Executive Board members share insights into determining the best bang for your buck when it comes to staying ahead. These tips can help you evaluate and select the best business events, conferences, and training programs to ensure you’re investing wisely in your professional development.

What 18 business leaders are most grateful for in 2024

expert panel

No matter the type of year your business has had, there's always something to be grateful for. When running a business, each year comes with its fair share of successes and challenges. While looking back on difficult times can be a helpful learning tool, dwelling on hardships can foster a negative mindset. To counter this, it's important to take a step back, celebrate the wins, and appreciate the positive aspects of your business. In the spirit of the season, 18 Fast Company Executive Board members share what they're most grateful for in 2024.

Biz blogging 101: 18 tips to keep your newsletter fresh and exciting

expert panel

To blog or not to blog—if you're leaning toward the former, follow these tips to maximize your content's impact. Many businesses use blogs to share their insights, boost SEO, and connect with their target audience. Similarly, newsletters—which often include links and information from blog content—can put businesses top-of-inbox and top-of-mind for readers. However, simply publishing a blog or newsletter won't guarantee success; you'll need to carefully consider your content and overall approach. Below, the members of Fast Company Executive Board share the top benefits of business blogs and newsletters. They also discuss tried-and-true strategies for keeping your content fresh and interesting over time, ensuring your blog and/or newsletter continues to make its intended impact week after week.

Grasping market trends: The role of generational perspectives

article

Leaders who stay adaptable and embrace new ideas help set their organizations up for continued success.

17 strategies for business owners facing big challenges in tough markets

expert panel

If your loyal customer base isn't enough to keep your doors open in a challenging market, here are a few strategies to change your luck. Running a business is no easy feat, especially when faced with factors outside of an owner's control—such as high rents, supply chain challenges, and stiff competition. Despite your loyal customer base and quality service, you may still struggle to keep your business afloat. For business owners facing these tough realities, Fast Company Executive Board members share practical advice and creative strategies that can offer new paths forward. Read on to find helpful tips to weather obstacles and find new ways to sustain your vision in the community.

9 effective DIY website builders for businesses on a budget

expert panel

Building your own sophisticated, modern business website is both possible and affordable with these top-recommended DIY tools. Every business needs a well-designed, functional website to engage prospective customers and showcase their products or services. Hiring a professional web designer isn't always in the budget for small business owners, so they need to rely on "do-it-yourself" tools to create their own sites. When it comes to choosing a DIY website builder, it's important to strike the right balance between features and affordability. Here, the members of Fast Company Executive Board share their top recommendations for business owners who want all the bells and whistles to create their dream website without breaking the bank.

Company details

Zain Ventures

Company bio

Zain Ventures is a family office founded by entrepreneur and investor Zain Jaffer. With a diverse portfolio of real estate, startups, and other assets, Zain Ventures is committed to supporting and encouraging visionary entrepreneurs who are looking to shake up industries and create new ones. The company's investment approach is simple: place strategic capital with the right fund managers and partner with or invest directly in intra-industry visionaries. To execute this carefully developed investment management strategy, Zain Ventures engages over 100 highly respected and industry-leading fund managers across the fields of public equities, fixed income, and alternatives. These fund managers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, and are carefully selected for their ability to deliver strong returns for the company's portfolio. At Zain Ventures, the team is committed to investing in innovation, industry disruption, and breakthrough thinking. The company holds a diverse portfolio of assets and is able to invest freely across a variety of asset classes, geographies, return profiles, timelines, and strategies. All investments and funds under management belong to the personal estate of Zain Jaffer, affording the Zain Ventures team the unique capacity to make investment decisions without external constraints. As a lifelong entrepreneur and investor, Zain Jaffer has a wealth of experience in the tech and real estate industries. He has dealt with external angel venture capitalists and investors in various capacities, including as a founder, CEO, board member, shareholder, sponsor, co-investor, and a limited partner. This experience has given him a unique perspective on the world of investing and has allowed him to develop a successful and effective investment strategy for Zain Ventures. Overall, Zain Ventures is a company that is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world through its investments and partnerships. Whether it's supporting visionary entrepreneurs or investing in innovative technologies, Zain Ventures is committed to making a difference in the world.

Industry

Technology

Area of focus

Venture Capital
Stock Exchanges
Angel Investment

Company size

2 - 10