Sam Thapaliya

Sam Thapaliya is a Nepal-born serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and technology founder best known as the founder of Zebec Protocol and co-founder of ASMI. Passionate about building products that solve real-world problems, he is focused on transforming global financial infrastructure by combining blockchain technology with practical, scalable payment solutions.

Raised in Bharatpur, Nepal, Sam developed an interest in programming and entrepreneurship at an early age. After moving to Silicon Valley to study at Menlo College, he co-founded ASMI, an AI-powered advertising technology company that earned the Menlo College Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award and received a U.S. patent for its augmented reality commerce technology. His entrepreneurial journey has always been driven by a commitment to solving meaningful problems through technology.

In 2021, Sam founded Zebec Protocol, a blockchain-based financial infrastructure platform built on the Solana blockchain. Under his leadership, Zebec has raised more than $35 million from leading investors and expanded into one of the most recognized Web3 ecosystems, delivering real-time payroll, treasury management, payments, and digital financial infrastructure for businesses and users around the world. Today, Zebec continues to build products that bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology and improve how money moves globally.

Beyond Zebec Protocol, Sam is an active angel investor and advisor, supporting founders building innovative companies across Web3, artificial intelligence, fintech, and emerging technologies. He regularly shares insights on entrepreneurship, fundraising, leadership, blockchain adoption, and the future of financial innovation.

His long-term vision extends beyond building successful companies. Sam is committed to helping the next generation of entrepreneurs, supporting innovation in Nepal, and creating opportunities for founders who are building technology with real-world impact. His mission is to make financial systems more accessible, programmable, and efficient while empowering innovators to solve meaningful global challenges.