From the Ethereum Foundation to BR Capital: Vlad Martynov’s Blockchain Odyssey
Vladislav Martynov, a seasoned high-tech entrepreneur and blockchain pioneer, has had a remarkable journey from co-founding a startup with Vitalik Buterin’s parents to his current role as managing partner at BR Capital.
Beginning with Ethereum
In the late 1990s, Martynov co-founded a startup with Dmitry and Maia Buterin, Vitalik Buterin’s parents, focused on selling an innovative Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. After leaving the venture, he went on to pioneer the development of one of the first SaaS-based CRM and membership management solutions in the early cloud era. Martynov’s interest in disruptive technologies grew, especially after Dmitry introduced him to Bitcoin in 2012 and then, in 2014, shared his son Vitalik’s vision for Ethereum – a decentralized, permissionless platform.
Contributing to the blockchain community
Martynov later joined the Ethereum Foundation’s Advisory Board to promote blockchain education and developer development. He also co-founded BlockGeeks and the Ethereum Competency Center. During the ICO boom of 2016–2017, Martynov advised several startups exploring tokenization and stablecoins, although most failed due to immature technology and markets. This inspired him to found BR Capital, a managed fund focused on DeFi and Web3, where he now serves as a managing partner to support startups and attract global capital with confidence and security.
Investment and Technology Insights
At BR Capital, Martynov combines venture capital insights with hands-on building, such as their algorithmic trading platform from 2017. He sees the investment climate for blockchain startups as more attractive than in previous cycles, with regulatory acceptance and institutional adoption outpacing retail growth. Martynov stresses the importance of startups prioritizing product, leveraging Web3 business models while focusing on fundamentals such as product-market fit, solid user experience, and sound financial management.
Looking Forward
Martynov is also interested in technologies such as AI-enhanced security, abstracted accounts, and Zero Knowledge Proofs, as well as initiatives that bridge Web2 and Web3. He believes that traditional financial institutions are adapting to DeFi, and that regulation will play a key role in shaping competitiveness. With the change in policy and regulatory environment, Martynov predicts a bright future for blockchain and cryptocurrencies, with increasing adoption from both institutions and individuals.
