{"id":"sungmo-park","title":"SungMo Park","content":"**SungMo Park** is the Partner and Head of APAC Go-to-Market for [a16z crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/a16z-crypto). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI) He is primarily known for leading the firm's strategic expansion into Asia, a move marked by the December 2025 opening of its first Asian office in Seoul, South Korea. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-aFfOLhXoncWBgh90) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-OZRDDZHHk5F9MhVS) Park's career has been focused on business development, go-to-market strategy, and ecosystem growth within the Asia-Pacific technology and [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) sectors, with previous leadership roles at the [Monad](https://iq.wiki/wiki/monad) Foundation and [Polygon](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polygon) Labs. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-jUidqOZSoDovvJ0t)​\n\n## Education\n\nPark attended Seoul National University, where his studies focused on International Relations and Entrepreneurship. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-h4qIzw5Khvfpg3rI) He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Keio University in Japan, which he attended from 2007 to 2011. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI) His academic background provides a foundation for his career in international business development and technology strategy. He is fluent in multiple languages, including Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and English, skills that support his role in the diverse Asia-Pacific market. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI)\n\n## Career\n\nPark's career demonstrates a consistent focus on leading business development and market expansion for major technology and [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) companies across the Asia-Pacific region. He has held roles in traditional technology and gaming conglomerates as well as at high-growth [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) protocols before joining [a16z crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/a16z-crypto). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI)​\n\n### a16z crypto\n\nOn December 10, 2025, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz announced that its crypto arm, [a16z crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/a16z-crypto), was opening its first physical office in Asia, located in Seoul, South Korea. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-aFfOLhXoncWBgh90) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-OZRDDZHHk5F9MhVS) Concurrently, the firm announced the appointment of SungMo Park to lead this initiative as Partner and Head of APAC Go-to-Market. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) This marked a16z crypto's first office in Asia and its first international base outside of the US and UK. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-oIewG8fypbbFxr8A)​\n\nIn his role, Park is responsible for leading the firm's expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. His duties include developing go-to-market strategies for [a16z's ](https://iq.wiki/wiki/andreessen-horowitz)portfolio companies, identifying new investment opportunities, and building relationships with crypto projects, developers, and enterprises across Asia. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) The firm stated that Park's objective is to serve as a bridge for its portfolio founders, using his network and experience to provide the regional context necessary to scale their operations in Asia. [\\[8\\]](#cite-id-EsWKczVyvI7xa2ri)​\n\nUpon his appointment, Park stated, \"I am thrilled to join [a16z crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/a16z-crypto) and lead their efforts in Asia, a region I am deeply passionate about. There's an incredible amount of talent and energy here, and with a16z's resources, we can help build the next era of the internet.\" [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-AVzKt4NsNaEbdN4w)​\n\nThe decision to establish the office in Seoul's Gangnam district was a strategic one for [a16z crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/a16z-crypto). [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-oIewG8fypbbFxr8A) Firm leadership, including founder [Chris Dixon](https://iq.wiki/wiki/chris-dixon) and General Partner Arianna Simpson, highlighted several key factors for choosing the city. These included South Korea's highly sophisticated and engaged domestic crypto market, its status as a global hub for gaming and entertainment, a deep pool of skilled developer talent, and a government perceived as embracing the potential of crypto. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-aFfOLhXoncWBgh90) [\\[8\\]](#cite-id-EsWKczVyvI7xa2ri) Chris Dixon noted, \"South Korea is a strategic hub for innovation with a vibrant crypto community...SungMo’s deep expertise and network are exactly what we need to support the next generation of founders in the region.\" [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-AVzKt4NsNaEbdN4w)​\n\n### Web3 and Blockchain Leadership\n\nPrior to joining [a16z crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/a16z-crypto), Park held several leadership positions within the [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) ecosystem, where he specialized in spearheading Asia-Pacific growth for major [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) protocols. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-jUidqOZSoDovvJ0t)​\n\nFrom May 2024 to December 2025, Park served as the APAC Lead for the [Monad](https://iq.wiki/wiki/monad) Foundation. In this role, he was responsible for developing and executing go-to-market and ecosystem growth strategies across key Asian markets, including East Asia, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and India. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI)​\n\nBefore his time at [Monad](https://iq.wiki/wiki/monad), Park was the Head of Business Development for APAC at Polygon Labs from August 2022 to May 2024. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI) At [Polygon](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polygon), he led enterprise partnerships and initiatives for collaborations with emerging crypto projects, helping to establish the protocol's footprint across the Asia-Pacific region. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ)​\n\nPark also has direct entrepreneurial experience in the [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) space, having co-founded and helped build an [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) marketplace. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ)​\n\n### Early Career in Technology and Gaming\n\nPark's early career was in business development roles at major technology and gaming companies in South Korea and Japan. From January 2019 to August 2022, he was the Head of Business Development at Kakao Entertainment. Prior to that, he served as a Global Business Development Manager at the parent company, Kakao, from 2017 to 2019. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI)​\n\nHe previously worked as a Product Planner on the search ads team at NAVER, South Korea's leading technology conglomerate. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ) Before that, he was a Business Development Manager at game developer Nexon and held a global business development position at Konami in Tokyo. His career began at NHN, the former parent company of Naver, in 2012. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI)​\n\n## Angel Investing\n\nPark is also an active angel investor in the crypto and [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) space. Sources have identified different projects within his personal investment portfolio. According to investment tracking platform [CryptoRank](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptorank), Park's angel investments include LootGO and a Series B investment in a company named Exclusive. [\\[10\\]](#cite-id-t2dvbmxxkaBNOqkx) Other sources have reported his personal portfolio includes prominent projects such as [dYdX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dydx), [Aptos](https://iq.wiki/wiki/aptos), BreederDAO, [Mysten Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/mysten-labs), [LayerZero](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layerzero), and Lighthouse. [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-AVzKt4NsNaEbdN4w)","summary":"SungMo Park, partner and Head of APAC Go-to-Market for a16z crypto, leads the firm’s Asia expansion from Seoul, having previously led APAC efforts for Monad Foundation and Polygon Labs.","images":[{"id":"QmTwvAAuFsy2YGAeNpuj5okiWDDGqjHFzqvq9zQEe3ummX","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"Speakers"}],"media":[{"id":"QmTVYZFLTwjbTSPZWFFujwTTbmmeCeQq2q7Uz18HzG2aTL","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmXsUeyS2dp3XzcWpEyro4rcMm9b6MUdThRRHqXyYVbeoM","name":"1764922295988.png","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmXsUeyS2dp3XzcWpEyro4rcMm9b6MUdThRRHqXyYVbeoM","source":"IPFS_IMG"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[\n  {\n    \"id\": \"6W1lZfJTS0BnGxmQ\",\n    \"url\": \"https://a16zcrypto.com/team/sungmo-park/\",\n    \"description\": \"a16z crypto team page for SungMo Park\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"dKK0A4peLpcp2DgI\",\n    \"url\": \"https://fintechnews.hk/36817/fintechkorea/a16z-crypto-seoul-office-expansion/\",\n    \"description\": \"Fintech News on a16z Crypto's Seoul Office Expansion\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"aFfOLhXoncWBgh90\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/12/10/a16z-crypto-to-open-seoul-office-hire-sungmo-park-to-lead-asia-efforts\",\n    \"description\": \"CoinDesk report on a16z Crypto's Seoul office and SungMo Park\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"OZRDDZHHk5F9MhVS\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.theblock.co/post/382147/a16z-crypto-south-korea-office\",\n    \"description\": \"The Block on a16z Crypto's South Korea office launch\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"jUidqOZSoDovvJ0t\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/news/a16z-crypto-opens-south-korea-office-names-new-leader-2045\",\n    \"description\": \"Coherent Market Insights report on new a16z Crypto leader\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"h4qIzw5Khvfpg3rI\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.linkedin.com/in/smp0910/\",\n    \"description\": \"SungMo Park's LinkedIn Profile\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"oIewG8fypbbFxr8A\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.techinasia.com/news/a16z-crypto-to-open-first-asia-office-in-seoul\",\n    \"description\": \"Tech in Asia on a16z crypto's first Asia office\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"EsWKczVyvI7xa2ri\",\n    \"url\": \"https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/a16z-opens-seoul-office-targeting-asian-crypto-hub\",\n    \"description\": \"CoinMarketCap on Sungmo Park's role at a16z\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"AVzKt4NsNaEbdN4w\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.binance.com/sv/square/post/33552049904241\",\n    \"description\": \"Binance Square post on a16z Seoul office\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"t2dvbmxxkaBNOqkx\",\n    \"url\": \"https://cryptorank.io/funds/sungmo-park\",\n    \"description\": \"CryptoRank profile for SungMo Park\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1774756521101\n  }\n]"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/smp0910/"},{"id":"website","value":"https://a16zcrypto.com/team/sungmo-park/"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Added wiki page for SungMo Park\""}],"events":[{"id":"61fb1b18-0681-4707-b9db-cd513a8eeae2","date":"2019-01","title":"Graduated from Seoul National University","type":"DEFAULT","description":"SungMo Park graduated from Seoul National University. Sources mention his studies in International Relations and Entrepreneurship, or Business Administration.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"ebc230dd-a188-4776-aa96-23dc18f97841","date":"2022-08","title":"Became Head of Business Development, APAC at Polygon Labs","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Park led enterprise partnerships and initiatives with emerging crypto projects as the Head of Business Development, APAC for Polygon Labs.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"b36ba1af-4458-4a88-9efa-ac5d2d2b93a4","date":"2024-05","title":"Became APAC Lead at Monad Foundation","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Park served as the APAC Lead for the Monad Foundation, developing and executing go-to-market and ecosystem growth strategies across key Asian markets.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"93c6d770-048d-4b5d-825d-cbff7e49391e","date":"2025-12","title":"Joined a16z crypto as Head of APAC GTM","type":"DEFAULT","description":"SungMo Park was appointed as Partner and Head of APAC Go-to-Market for a16z crypto, leading the firm's first international office in Seoul, South Korea.","link":"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/12/10/a16z-crypto-to-open-seoul-office-hire-sungmo-park-to-lead-asia-efforts","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"operator":{"id":"0xd5893989b9952c6568a99F854795AcC5Ae480D56"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]}}