Contact Information
Name: Jason Atkins
Role: Co-Founder and President
Company: Cake Equity
Location: Santa Monica, CA, USA
Professional Background
Career and Experience
Jason Atkins is the visionary co-founder and President of Cake Equity, an innovative platform designed to simplify and enhance equity management for startups. Cake Equity turns equity from a complex and illiquid paper asset into a simpler, more liquid real-world asset. With a mission to help startups raise more often, hire better teams, and drive an increase in innovation, Cake aims to make the world a better place through its services.
Prior to founding Cake, Jason accumulated extensive experience in finance and innovation. Starting his career in 2009, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Awesome Group and has held various financial management and leadership roles in SMEs, multinational corporations, and family offices across Australia and Europe. Jason's professional journey has also involved significant travel, contributing to a broad and versatile business acumen.
Education
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance, Griffith University
- Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), Australia
Initiatives and Mentorship
Jason has authored numerous blogs, guides, and toolkits on equity management, capital raising, and related topics. He is an active participant in accelerator programs, having taken Cake through the Startmate accelerator and undertaken angel investor training with AirTree Ventures. Additionally, he founded Palm Beach Ventures, a small angel investor network, and mentors in various programs such as Startmate, River City Labs, and LuminaX.
Professional Interests and Contributions
Jason is passionate about aiding the tech community in maximizing their equity potential. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in solving societal challenges and believes employee equity schemes are crucial for successful tech companies. Through his work, Jason has simplified the understanding and management of equity for both founders and employees, making the process more accessible and transparent.
Speaking Engagements and Publications
Jason regularly presents on topics including:
- Maximizing equity
- Equity plans
- Capital raising
- Founder health and journey
- Cap table management
His speaking engagements span globally, covering regions such as Australia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Southeast Asia, and the United Kingdom.
Personal Attributes and Interests
Jason grew up in Gold Coast, Australia. He prioritizes health and mental wellness, balancing his professional life with personal interests such as:
- Surfing
- Running
- Gym workouts
- Yoga
- Spending quality time with family and friends
His consistent investment in these activities underscores his holistic approach to life and work.
Testimonials
Dren Xërxa, Program Director @ Cohort Innovation Hub:
"Capital raising has become much easier and accessible because of the invaluable contribution that Jason and his team at Cake have given to the startup community."
Alex Millar, Co-founder and CEO @ Hudled:
"Jason and the Cake team are playing an important role in the startup ecosystem. Equity and specifically options are tricky to understand! By simplifying this process, it's made it so much easier for both founders and employees to understand exactly what they are receiving or giving away. Really excited to see where this product goes."
Ben Howe, Director @ CoSpaces:
"Over the past four years, I’ve witnessed first-hand Jason tirelessly sharing his time, knowledge, and experience to help founders and investors across Australia, and the world. He epitomizes the ‘give first’ mentality and has made an immense impact in the city we live in. He contributes greatly to LuminaX, our HealthTech Accelerator as a regular coach."
Online Presence and Links
- LinkedIn: [Jason Atkins - Cake Equity](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasona-cake)
- Company Website: [Jason Atkins Bio](https://www.cakeequity.com/jason-atkins)
Conclusion
Jason Atkins stands out as a pivotal leader in the startup and equity management space. His deep expertise in finance, combined with a strong commitment to innovation and community mentorship, positions him as a significant influencer and supporter of the tech ecosystem. His work at Cake Equity reflects a blend of strategic foresight and operational excellence, making him a valuable contact for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of equity management and capital raising.