Rahul Sood
Founder of Irreverent Labs
Rahul Sood
Founder of Irreverent Labs
Bellevue, Washington
Overview
Work Experience
Co-Founder and El Presidente
2021 - Current
At Irreverent Labs were building a novel foundation model that allows our users to generate photorealistic video from AI.
Investor and Advisor
2019
Serve as early investor and strategic advisor to VH, creators of ZED.RUN, the digital blockchain NFT horse racing game --- one of most popular play to earn NFT games in the world. Helped to facilitate first 2 seed funding rounds prior to Series A, which was led by The Chernin Group and a16z.
Investor and Chairman of the Board
2014
Counsel leadership on product strategy, branding, and product development for company developing technology gear and high-end personal computers. Facilitate industry connections with venture capitalists and other strategic partners.
Co-Founder and CEO (2014–2020); Board of Directors (2021)
2014 - 2021
Launched and grew world’s largest industry-leading regulated esports and video games wagering entertainment company. Develop and effectively communicate strategic vision, building enthusiasm for emerging opportunities and assembling expert teams to execute strategic plans. Enabled leadership to acquire and maintain necessary gambling licensure and legal opinions to launch across multiple countries in complex and inconsistently regulated industry. Recognized and supported by well-known industry investors and large operators. Established multiple esports partnerships to drive awareness and enhance user experience. Launched first platform token in 2015 and grew cryptocurrency revenue by building blockchain payment system and customer wallets. Became definitive global leader in esports and video games wagering by 2019. Met with CEO of Entain (formerly GVC, which is one of the largest regulated entertainment companies in the world) to surface the idea of Unikrn and Entain coming together in the form of an acquisition, made introductions to my partner who then handled the negotiations and strategic plans which led to Unikrn’s late-2021 acquisition by Entain. Unikrn will remain one of Entain’s key global roll-out brands and enable significant revenue growth.
Co-Owner
2020 - 2021
Provide strategic leadership supporting investment, brand, community, and go-to-market planning for professional cricket team in newly formed Lanka Premier League. Develop brand strategy and story, leveraging excellent communication skills to build awareness, community engagement, and enthusiasm. Promote national economic advancement, expand educational development to include STEM competencies in partnership with Code.org, and build community following decades-long civil war. Build and nurture US-based investment consortium with well-known Pacific Northwest (PNW) tech executives supporting player and sport development. Established positive team reputation that attracts players and is embraced by fans nationwide. Developed skilled team that won league’s first championship in inaugural 2020 tournament and attained viewership of 130M for final match.
Advisor to the Board of Directors
2013 - 2019
Served as strategic advisor supporting product development of gaming accessories and laptop computers. Established and sustained enduring industry relationships. Contributed significantly to specification and design of first Razer notebook successfully launched globally.
Investor and Advisor
2012 - 2017
Recruited to consult on emerging product blending augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies into one of most advanced AR VR headgears ever created. Influenced leadership to change and revitalize company name, branding, and overall strategy. Increased company valuation and connected leaders with venture capitalists, investors, and large technology corporations, leading to acquisition by Apple Inc. in 2017.
GM/Partner, MS Ventures (2013-14); GM/Partner, Bing Fund (2012–14); GM, Entertainment (2010–12)
2010 - 2014
Recruited to lead Xbox Experience in Interactive Entertainment Business before creating first seed fund and startup investment program at Microsoft. Developed Bing Fund program, leveraging technology and resources of both Bing and Microsoft to benefit start-ups and entrepreneurs, drive innovation, and build relationships. Expanded Bing Fund into Microsoft Ventures incubator program, connecting start-up organizations with venture capitalists, funding, and large Microsoft customers. Pioneered new venture capital division, Microsoft Ventures, still operating today as M12, focusing on early investment in technology start-ups. Launched and managed 7 start-up accelerators and outreach organizations worldwide, enabling connections to investors and partners.
Chief Technology Officer, Global Gaming
2006 - 2010
Led computing performance business following acquisition of VoodooPC. Executed Hewlett-Packard (HP) leadership vision of integrating VoodooPC operational components into HP machines on accelerated timelines to optimize capabilities of full HP product line. Developed and launched one of HP’s most successful computer models, HP Blackbird 002 with Voodoo DNA. Shifted focus of HP leadership teams to quality assurance, customer experience, and community engagement.
Founding Partner
2005 - 2010
Co-founded online collaboration platform still in operation to date, enabling medical and dental professionals to securely share HIPAA-compliant case information, driving global knowledge, education, and alliances.