About Rafe

Rafe Furst is an entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author and World Series of Poker Champion. With a background in artificial intelligence and cognitive science, Rafe’s expertise spans a wide range of fields, including venture capital, blockchain, complex adaptive systems, and game theory. His success in both business and poker is rooted in his ability to make strategic decisions under uncertainty—an ability he has honed over decades of experience.

 

Rafe holds a master’s degree in Computer Science and a bachelor’s degree in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University. He co-founded his first company, Pick’em Sports, in 1996, which he later sold to a public company. Since then, he has co-founded several startups, helped launch multiple venture funds, and advised over 200 founders. He has helped raise over $40 million in charitable donations and investment capital and has helped generate over $450 million in liquidity for investors.

 

Rafe’s unique perspective on risk, decision-making, and strategy has made him a sought-after advisor and speaker. His ability to connect the worlds of poker, business, and life has helped countless individuals and companies achieve success by applying the principles he teaches. Whether through his investment strategies, his coaching, or his workshops, Rafe’s insights offer a fresh and transformative approach to navigating uncertainty and risk in all aspects of life.

 

Rafe’s book The Future of Venture Capital (foreword by Tim Draper) hit #1 on Amazon in 2025 in Venture Capital, Private Equity and Portfolio Management.

 

Rafe is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of The Crypto Company (OTCID:CRCW).​