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Key people at Futurism.
Futurism was founded in 2017 by Alexander Klokus (Co-Founder and CEO (Acquired by Singularity University)).
Futurism is a New York City-based digital media company that publishes independent news reporting and feature articles focused on cutting-edge technology, scientific discoveries, and future global innovations. The publication reaches a global audience of millions of monthly readers who track market-moving developments from industry titans and the societal impacts of emergent technologies. Initially supported by an early financial grant from the Knight Foundation, the platform operates a free digital content business model under the editorial direction of Foster Kamer. The media property underwent a series of strategic corporate transitions to scale its operations, first being acquired by the educational organization Singularity University in 2019. Following that transaction, the publication was subsequently sold to the digital media portfolio company Recurrent Ventures in July 2021. Futurism was originally founded in 2017 by Alex Klokus and Jordan Lejuwaan.
Futurism was founded in 2017 by Alexander Klokus (Co-Founder and CEO (Acquired by Singularity University)).
Key people at Futurism.
Futurism Markets, later rebranded as Parallel Markets, was a fintech company founded in 2018 that provided technological infrastructure and data solutions for capital raising, secondary transactions, mergers, and acquisitions in the financial services sector.[1] It offered compliance tools like risk intelligence, AML monitoring, investor verification, and accreditation to streamline onboarding for banks, funds, and institutions, addressing regulatory and due diligence challenges for high-value clients.[1] The company raised $12.04M before being acquired by iCapital Network in January 2025, marking its growth trajectory in the capital markets space.[1]
A separate entity, Futurism (futurism.finance), is a South Korean blockchain investment solution provider established around 2022, focusing on data tools to enable quick, informed crypto investing decisions.[2] It serves crypto investors by delivering accessible data insights, with early momentum from seed funding in 2023 and selections into accelerator programs like TIPS and Seoul Fintech Lab.[2] Note: Search results also reference Futurism Technologies (a digital transformation firm) and unrelated media like Futurism.com, but the query aligns most closely with these two finance-focused "Futurism" entities; Parallel Markets fits a U.S.-based startup profile with acquisition exit.[1][2]
Futurism Markets originated in 2018 in New York, New York, as a provider of financial compliance and investor onboarding solutions, later evolving into Parallel Markets before its acquisition by iCapital Network in January 2025.[1] Specific founders are not detailed in available data, but it emerged amid growing needs for tech-enabled capital markets infrastructure, competing with platforms like Stonehaven and Weild & Co. in facilitating transactions across private equity, venture capital, and real estate.[1] Its pivot to Parallel Markets reflected expansion in compliance tech for institutions.
Futurism (futurism.finance) was incorporated in April 2022 in South Korea, with CEO BK Lee bringing expertise from Hanwha AM (multi-asset), Kiwoom Sec. (research), and Dayone AM (AI team leader).[2] The idea stemmed from bridging data gaps in crypto investing; early traction included MOU with PlavV (crypto social trading) in December 2022, selection as a Seoul Fintech Lab tenant, and seed-round funding from Infobank, Blockcrafters, and 100&100 Ventures in February 2023.[2] Pivotal moments: TIPS program selection (August 2023), KORFIN membership (December 2023), and FTRSM Ltd. establishment (March 2024).[2]
Parallel Markets rode the wave of fintech democratization in capital markets, addressing post-2018 regulatory pressures (e.g., SEC rules on private placements) with tech that connected intermediaries like Ashland Securities and Stonehaven.[1] Timing was ideal amid rising private market volumes in PE/VC, where manual compliance slowed deals; its acquisition by iCapital underscores consolidation trends, influencing ecosystem efficiency for funds handling trillions in AUM.[1]
Futurism.finance taps the crypto bull cycles and data explosion post-2022, aligning with South Korea's fintech boom (e.g., KORFIN integration) and global demand for on-chain analytics amid ETF approvals and AI-blockchain convergence.[2] Market forces like retail crypto adoption and regulatory clarity favor it, as it influences the ecosystem by educating on "three pillars" of investing (mindset, money management, methods) and partnering with platforms to lower entry barriers.[2]
Parallel Markets, post-acquisition, will likely integrate deeper into iCapital's platform, scaling compliance tools amid projected $20T+ private markets growth by 2030, potentially influencing AI-enhanced due diligence trends.[1] Futurism.finance eyes expansion via its 2024 entity setup and content momentum, shaped by crypto regulations, AI analytics, and Web3 adoption—positioning it to capture Korea's $10B+ crypto market share.[2]
Both exemplify fintech's shift from niche tools to ecosystem enablers, with Parallel's exit validating infrastructure plays and Futurism's trajectory highlighting data's role in democratizing high-risk investing.
