EPISODE · Oct 16, 2025 · 53 MIN
Xan Wood, Canvas Prime Investor on AI, Data & Application Startups
from Venture with Grace · host Grace Gong
Xan Wood joined Canvas in May 2024 as an Investor, focusing on artificial intelligence applications across healthcare and fintech. He brings unique insight into emerging AI technologies through his strong connections to UC Berkeley's AI ecosystem. As the writer of the weekly Built By Berkeley Newsletter, Xan has his finger on the pulse of what’s coming next. While getting his MBA at Berkeley Haas, Xan demonstrated his ability to identify and support promising technical founders by raising Courtyard Ventures, a $1M fund that has invested in 30 Berkeley-founded businesses. Prior to Canvas, Xan built an impressive track record in complex deal execution across multiple markets. He spent 7 years in Asia working in Private Equity at Development Finance Asia and Private Credit at TransAsia Private Capital, where he led nearly $1B of transactions across 19 countries. Notable deals included serving as interim CFO at a Mongolian logistics business after leading its acquisition, and incubating Myanmar's largest motorcycle leasing platform. At TransAsia Private Capital, he led the multijurisdictional restructuring of a $225M loan facility to a Hong Kong-listed company, involving taking control of a power plant in India and a mine in Indonesia.Topics: The Next Wave of AI-Native StartupsThe Future of Vertical AIBuilt by Berkeley#VentureCapital #AIStartups #HealthcareInnovation #Fintech #BerkeleyFounders
What this episode covers
Xan Wood joined Canvas in May 2024 as an Investor, focusing on artificial intelligence applications across healthcare and fintech. He brings unique insight into emerging AI technologies through his strong connections to UC Berkeley's AI ecosystem. As the writer of the weekly Built By Berkeley Newsletter, Xan has his finger on the pulse of what’s coming next. While getting his MBA at Berkeley Haas, Xan demonstrated his ability to identify and support promising technical founders by raising Courtyard Ventures, a $1M fund that has invested in 30 Berkeley-founded businesses. Prior to Canvas, Xan built an impressive track record in complex deal execution across multiple markets. He spent 7 years in Asia working in Private Equity at Development Finance Asia and Private Credit at TransAsia Private Capital, where he led nearly $1B of transactions across 19 countries. Notable deals included serving as interim CFO at a Mongolian logistics business after leading its acquisition, and incubating Myanmar's largest motorcycle leasing platform. At TransAsia Private Capital, he led the multijurisdictional restructuring of a $225M loan facility to a Hong Kong-listed company, involving taking control of a power plant in India and a mine in Indonesia.Topics: The Next Wave of AI-Native StartupsThe Future of Vertical AIBuilt by Berkeley#VentureCapital #AIStartups #HealthcareInnovation #Fintech #BerkeleyFounders
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Xan Wood, Canvas Prime Investor on AI, Data & Application Startups
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