DAO-recognized Name: TCook
Individual or Organization?: Individual
Time Zone (For Coordination Purposes): UTC+2
Relevant Background and Skills:
-
Trad-Fi Experience/ BD Capability/ Institutional Network
With a robust background as a fixed-income derivatives sales trader at a bulge bracket investment bank, I cultivated expertise in partnerships by managing high-value relationships with institutional players like BlackRock, Citadel, etc., demonstrating my ability to negotiate and maintain strategic alliances that drive mutual growth. This experience honed my growth and business development skills, as I consistently identified opportunities to expand client portfolios and deliver tailored solutions under tight market conditions, a capability directly applicable to scaling Velora’s ecosystem presence. -
DeFi Acumen/ Deep Product Knowledge
Over the past two years in DeFi, I’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of DeFi strategies, mastering protocols and techniques such as plain LP, staking, lending, leveraged LP, LP-hedging, leveraged lending, cross-DEX arbitrage, market making, and cross-DEX basis trading. This expertise enables me to contribute to product development by refining Velora’s aggregator capabilities and ideating innovative offerings that attract institutional and retail users. -
Governance Experience
As an active delegate in DAOs including Arbitrum, Optimism, Morpho, Euler, and Fluid, I’ve demonstrated growth and community engagement expertise by authoring governance proposals, rallying community support, and fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring I remain a trusted voice in DeFi ecosystems. -
DeFi Protocol Connection
My current role as a Business Development Advisor at Imagine Creation Combinator, a Singapore-based VC/incubator, underscores my partnerships and growth expertise, as I lead deal sourcing, engage daily with DeFi protocols, and coordinate with VCs for co-investments, building bridges that amplify project visibility and adoption.
Contributions to the Velora Growth Committee
I am eager to take ownership of the following areas to advance Velora’s growth:
- Partnerships and Integrations: Leverage my institutional network and DAO connections to secure DAO-to-DAO collaborations, onboard DeFi protocols, LST providers, and L2 ecosystems, and negotiate co-marketing/incentive programs.
- Business Development: Drive Velora’s expansion into intent-based products and cross-chain trading, using my deal-sourcing expertise to identify high-impact opportunities.
- Product Innovation: Apply my DeFi strategy knowledge to enhance Velora’s aggregator capabilities and propose features that attract institutional and retail users, ensuring alignment with Foundation and Laita.
Motivation for Applying
My exceptional experience using ParaSwap, surpassing other DEX aggregators, fuels my belief in Velora’s untapped potential to lead the DeFi market. I am eager to join the Velora Growth Committee to drive strategic partnerships and business development, scaling Velora’s adoption and market share. This opportunity excites me as it aligns with my passion for advancing innovative DeFi solutions and fostering ecosystem growth.
Association with Velora Protocol or DAO
While I have not yet had the opportunity to participate directly in Velora/ParaSwap’s governance, my active involvement in the Uniswap and Fluid DAOs has equipped me with valuable governance experience, including contributing to proposals and engaging in community discussions to drive protocol growth. These experiences provide me with transferable insights into effective DAO coordination and community-driven initiatives, which I am eager to apply to help Velora expand its ecosystem and adoption.
Other DAO Roles or Working Groups:
I have actively contributed to several prominent DeFi and Layer 2 DAOs, including Arbitrum, Optimism, Morpho, Euler, Uniswap, and Fluid, where I’ve engaged in governance and community initiatives to drive protocol growth. In Uniswap and Fluid, I participated in governance discussions, co-authored proposals to optimize protocol parameters, and rallied community support for strategic upgrades, enhancing ecosystem adoption. Similarly, in Arbitrum, Optimism, Morpho, and Euler, I’ve contributed to forum discussions, provided feedback on governance proposals, and collaborated with stakeholders to align initiatives with community goals, demonstrating my ability to foster consensus and growth. These experiences have honed my skills in DAO coordination, strategic communication, and community engagement, which I aim to leverage to advance Velora’s objectives.
Conflict of Interest Declaration:
I actively participate in the governance of Uniswap and Fluid, contributing to discussions and proposals as a community member. I have no current or prior engagements with other DEX aggregators, intent-based trading platforms, or protocols that could conflict with Velora’s mission. I am committed to full transparency and ensuring my contributions to Velora remain impartial and aligned with its growth objectives.