Founders
Michael Chen
Founder | Principal
Michael Chen is a serial entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience serving as CEO and Managing Partner for high-growth startups.
Michael Chen is currently Co-Founder, Board Member and President at Beyond Restaurant Group (dba Pokeworks), a fast growing and nationally recognized fast casual restaurant brand. Pokeworks has won numerous industry awards including Hot Concepts Award by Nation’s Restaurant News, #2 Top 100 Movers and Shakers by Fast Casual, and #7 Top Asian Food Franchises by Entrepreneur.com.
Prior to Pokeworks, Michael co-founded and served as CEO of Beyond Vape, ranked #5 on Los Angeles Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Private Companies in Los Angeles in 2016. Michael also co-founded and served as CEO of Nexus Brands Group, ranking on Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies list for three straight years. In 2015, NBG was sold to private equity where Michael remains a shareholder and adviser.
Michael is an active member of the Pasadena Chapter of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Michael began his career as a software engineer and holds degrees in computer science and engineering from UCLA and Cornell.
Billy Chen
Founder | Principal
Billy is currently a Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer for Nexus Brands Group which is the umbrella company for the world’s largest tattoo supply and pet grooming supply group. Responsible for over 80 trademarks and patents, Billy is focused on brand building and leading teams to create innovative products.
Billy has held titles of Managing Partner, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Creative Officer in his 20 years of entrepreneurship since starting his first business while being a student at UCI.
Billy co-founded Pokeworks (the largest Poke restaurant chain in the world), IP Shark (a tech IP protection company), RVL Wheels (an innovative lifestyle aftermarket wheel brand), Beyond Vape (a global e-cig brand), and Visionshock (a successful nightlife event group focused in the Hollywood, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego markets).
Billy is an active member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), an exclusive global leadership community for today’s business leaders.
Billy’s road to entrepreneurship began when Billy first picked up graphic design as a hobby which led to the inception of his first creative agency during his last year of college.
Wen Wei
Founder | Principal
Wen Wei is an experienced Real Estate and Private Equity investor with over 12 years of experience. Wen is also a serial entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience serving as CFO, CTO and Managing Partner for high-growth startups. Wen has deep experience with Private Equity transactions, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Corporate Structuring.
Wen Wei is currently the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Grow Scale LLC and CCW Capital focused on Real Estate and Private Equity investments.
Prior to his current role, Wen Co-Founded and served as CFO for Beyond Restaurant Group (dba Pokeworks), a fast growing and nationally recognized fast casual restaurant brand. Co-Founded and served as CTO for IP Shark, a tech startup providing a SaaS solution to help enforce patent and trademark infringements online. Co-Founded and served as CFO for Nexus Brands Group, ranking on Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies list for three straight years. In 2015, NBG was sold to private equity.
Wen began his career as a software engineer and holds degrees in computer science and engineering from UCLA and Cornell.
