David Yu

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Class of 2024, New Zealand
CEO of VeVe

Share the joy of David Yu’s winning moment at Entrepreneur Of The Year™ New Zealand.

David Yu leveraged NFTs to power digital collectibles for users worldwide.

Through his brainchild, VeVe, David Yu has revolutionized the licensed digital collectibles field using blockchain and augmented reality technology. VeVe allows collectors to collect, trade, own and showcase their favorite characters, artwork, comic books and memorabilia from iconic franchises via non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

In 2017, when David ventured into the nascent digital collectibles industry, he faced significant risks. The NFT sector was emerging, devoid of an established market or clear demand for the products he envisioned. Backed by 25 years of experience in the games and collectibles realm, however, David launched a product he wholeheartedly believed would be the next big thing.

Over the past three years, VeVe has solidified its position as a market leader in the premium digital collectibles field, boasting an innovative app-based platform, robust user base and more than 8 million NFTs sold. The company partners with some of the largest entertainment and consumer products brands to create collectibles, and it has a global customer base with 35% in the US and 40% in the UK and Europe. Now, the app is set to explore untapped markets in China and Japan, further expanding its global presence.

“The global community of VeVe collectors fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie among enthusiasts,” David says. “By connecting with like-minded individuals, collectors can share their passion for their favorite franchises.”

VeVe is also at the forefront of championing sustainable industry practices. The platform is dedicated to leveraging sustainable solutions, adopting eco-friendly practices and employing alternative technologies to achieve carbon neutrality. The company is also preparing to launch VeVeVerse, a metaverse product poised to shape the future of digital collectibles.