The world is evolving exponentially.
At 7th Floor we advise and invest in technology leaders of the future.
Artificial Intelligence
Capital Markets
Anti Financial Crime
Sustainable Finance
Web3
Services
We advise boards, C-suite executives and management teams with:
Speaking Engagements
Michael is a celebrated speaker with 15+ years of speaking experience and is available for keynotes and panel discussions. Explore his past work here and book him for your next conference.
Michael Karbouris
Founder
With more than two decades of experience, Michael stands out as a seasoned expert with deep knowledge in growth and corporate strategy, VC & M&A, and profound expertise in capital markets and Anti Financial Crime technology, AI and Web3.
As Head of Strategy, Michael played a pivotal role in transforming Nasdaq's Anti Financial Crime technology division, including leading the strategic $2.75 billion acquisition of Verafin in 2021. His leadership was instrumental in establishing Nasdaq as a recognized authority in Anti Financial Crime technology. Under his tenure the division's revenue saw more than 5x growth and Nasdaq evolved from a single point solution to an undisputed leader in Anti Financial Crime, closing in on $1bn in annual recurring revenues.
Prior to Nasdaq, Michael was a key member of Australian start-up turned global leader in market surveillance and supervision, SMARTS, and led the firm to grow more than 10x in just 3 years. In this period Michael established the SMARTS Headquarters in Asia and then New York, leading to an acquisition by Nasdaq in 2010.
Michael is renowned for his capacity to demystify complex challenges in the evolving landscape of financial markets, earning him a reputation as a thought leader in his field. He continues to influence the industry through his roles as a speaker, advisor, and investor.
Selected engagements and articles of interest:
David Chen
Advisor
David currently serves as Executive Board Director for Asia Innovation Hub's partnership with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. With over 30 years of experience in capital markets, his career has spanned leadership roles across securities and futures exchanges, brokerage firms, and VC.
From 2011 to 2024, David led Nasdaq Fintech's operations in Greater China, where he played a key role in advancing the company’s index, data, and IPO businesses. His areas of expertise include green finance, carbon marketplaces, artificial intelligence (AI) & AI data centers (AIDC), and the development of the semiconductor industry across Asia.
David brings a wealth of resources and a deep, well-established network of senior technology and finance executives across Greater China, making him a key facilitator of high-level partnerships in the region. His extensive relationships span influential leaders in fintech, capital markets, and the broader technology ecosystem, allowing him to bridge connections between emerging startups, established corporations, and regulatory bodies. This powerful network positions David as a trusted advisor to drive innovation in industries such as AI, green finance, carbon trading, and semiconductor technology.
Venture
7th Floor Ventures focuses primarily on early stage funding, with Michael involved with portfolio companies in a strategic capacity.
If you have interest exploring seed funding or as an LP, please contact us.
We have interest and are working with projects in the following areas:
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