James Bernard

Founder, CEO & Operator | Building Next-Gen Tech | AI & Quantum | Board Member | RWA Tokenization & Digital IP | Economic Zone Leader | Ex Commodities Trader

📍 United Arab Emirates🔄 Updated September 2026💼 9 investments📅 5 years investing🗓 Last invested Feb 2025
VC🌍 United Arab Emirates
9
Total investments
6
Early stage
1
Mid stage
0
Late stage
5y
Years active

Portfolio

9 investments · sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Board Member
Feb 2025
AAVA is not another streaming startup. It’s a clean break from how video has always worked and a new protocol for how it should. Today’s internet pushes content at you. It assumes everyone is the same, that every device is fast and that the rules of access are someone else’s problem. That model doesn’t scale. It can’t reach the next two billion users and it can’t enforce trust in an AI-native world. AAVA flips that. Instead of broadcasting to the crowd, it renders media for the individual, one session at a time, based on who you are, where you are and what you’re allowed to see. Every stream starts with verification. Every pixel is optimized. Nothing plays unless the rules say it can. It’s streamed with you, not just to you. No cloud. No DRM. No bandwidth waste. Just real-time delivery, executed on your device, logged on-chain and governed by code, not platforms. We’re not layering features onto broken infrastructure. We’re building something different, from the protocol up. AAVA is built in Abu Dhabi and governed from the heart of ADGM. But its reach is global, from telcos and creators to educators and governments. If Stripe rewrote payments and Dolby rewrote sound, AAVA is rewriting how video behaves. Not a better stream. A smarter one.
Investor Advisor
Mar 2024
Quranium is the worlds first Quantum Proof Distributed Ledger Technology platform merging the robust security of Proof of Work (PoW) Blockchain with the dynamic scalability and fairness of a novel Proof of Respect (PoR) BlockDAG architecture. Quranium is designed for the new age, providing a secure and scalable foundation for both human and machine connectivity.
Board Member
Dec 2023
Advisor Investor
Oct 2023
Artfi is a fine art company on mission to democratize the $1.7 trillion art market. By harnessing the power of NFTs and blockchain technology, Artfi makes it possible for anyone to own a fraction of world’s most sought-after works of art. Visit our website below to learn more about how Artfi is redefining art collecting and investing for the digital age.
Investor Advisor
Nov 2022
Expectations of assets for future generations have changed fundamentally. It is no longer price alone that matters, but value. So, entrepreneurs, artists and creators have found new ways to participate. Today they decide together with the audience and the community what is in demand, what develops "value" and keeps "value". The blockchain has made this transformation possible. Property can be documented on the internet via non-fungible tokens. Thus, a new idea of togetherness has emerged on the internet and we are reinterpreting communities in a new way. We break down barriers, that every one can participate from the market!
Advisor Investor
Oct 2022
Buy, sell, store and earn cryptocurrencies with ease. Invest with the trust of an established financial services provider with 40 years of group history. ✓ Fast and easy setup. Open an account and start buying, selling, and storing digital assets in minutes. ✓ Transparent pricing. No trading or hidden settlement/deposit fees and no minimum account size. ✓ One relationship. Serves all your digital asset needs via 24/7 online platform and dedicated relationship manager. ✓ Safety and Security. Global institutional background combined with next generation technology. Your assets are insured with no private keys to manage.
Partner Board Member
Jan 2022
At UrbanGo, were on a mission to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change with a strong sense of purpose and profitability. Our vision extends beyond mere sustainability; were dedicated to shaping a future where environmental responsibility is seamlessly integrated into every facet of business and daily life. Through our AI-driven digital solutions and groundbreaking "Proof of Sustainability" technology, protected by patents, were at the forefront of tracking, analyzing, and promoting sustainable behavior change. By leveraging a wealth of behavioral data, we craft tailored sustainability personas for individuals, empowering them to make impactful choices. Collaborating closely with brands and cities, UrbanGo serves as a strategic partner in their journey towards achieving sustainability goals. Our approach isnt just about offering solutions; its about fostering meaningful change and driving tangible results. Join us at UrbanGo as we pioneer the way towards a future where sustainability isnt just a buzzword, but a fundamental pillar of business success and societal progress.
Advisor Investor
Jan 2021
Sheesha Finance (https://sheeshafinance.io/) is a Web3 tokenized Venture Studio dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and startups with the resources, expertise, and support they need to bring their innovative ideas to life.
Experience · 21 entries
All (21)
Investments (9)
Board (4)
2025
Board Member
Feb 2025
AAVA is not another streaming startup. It’s a clean break from how video has always worked and a new protocol for how it should. Today’s internet pushes content at you. It assumes everyone is the same, that every device is fast and that the rules of access are someone else’s problem. That model doesn’t scale. It can’t reach the next two billion users and it can’t enforce trust in an AI-native world. AAVA flips that. Instead of broadcasting to the crowd, it renders media for the individual, one session at a time, based on who you are, where you are and what you’re allowed to see. Every stream starts with verification. Every pixel is optimized. Nothing plays unless the rules say it can. It’s streamed with you, not just to you. No cloud. No DRM. No bandwidth waste. Just real-time delivery, executed on your device, logged on-chain and governed by code, not platforms. We’re not layering features onto broken infrastructure. We’re building something different, from the protocol up. AAVA is built in Abu Dhabi and governed from the heart of ADGM. But its reach is global, from telcos and creators to educators and governments. If Stripe rewrote payments and Dolby rewrote sound, AAVA is rewriting how video behaves. Not a better stream. A smarter one.
Founding Partner
2025
Deep Tech Innovation
2024
Show all 21 entries ↓
Investment activity
2021–2025 · 9 investments
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