Chicago's Rumi Morales Joins London Blockchain VC Firm

Rumi Morales, a well-known figure in Chicago's fintech and startup scene, has joined a London-based venture capital firm focused on blockchain technology.

Outlier Ventures announced Wednesday that it has named Morales as a partner, a move that allows the firm to have a stronger presence in North America. Morales will remain in Chicago and will be tasked with sourcing deals and working with Outlier's portfolio companies, half of which are based in North America.

In an interview, Morales said she and Outlier's team share a similar view on today's technology landscape---that technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence and the internet of things shouldn't be siloed, but should instead converge with one another.

"I came to believe that no technology belongs in isolation," Morales said. "(I discovered) there was a group called Outlier Ventures that had the same thesis ... When we were introduced it was love at first sight."

Outlier launched in 2014 and became one of the early European venture firms focused on blockchain technology. Its investments include businesses in blockchain, A.I., IoT, 3D printing and robotics. It doesn't have any Chicago portfolio companies, but it has backed IOTA, a German startup that chose last fall to scale its U.S. operations in Chicago.

Morales has been a leader in Chicago's fintech space and an early specialist in blockchain technology. She founded CME Ventures, the venture arm of the CME Group, and led investments in companies like Ripple and Digital Asset Holdings.

"Rumi's strong background in both early stage technology and working in senior investment roles for major financial institutions means she is an excellent fit for our growth strategy in a maturing crypto-assets market," Jamie Burke, CEO of Outlier, said in a statement. "As we ramp up our activities in investing for decentralised technologies in Web 3.0 and technology convergence, we couldn't hope to find more relevant leader to represent us in the US."