Associate

David Baska is an Associate at Ikigai Asset Management, a L/S multi-strategy crypto asset hedge fund. At Ikigai, David is responsible for leading across Ikigai’s investment management practice and investor relations while overseeing the firm’s daily operations. His daily roles include fund administration, daily performance, operational security, compliance, legal, marketing, and accounting. David is also responsible for executing and implementing the firm’s Investment and I.T. infrastructure build-out efforts.

Before joining Ikigai, David spent eight years on active duty in the Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain. During that time, David was a Program Manager, Staff Officer, and Space Operations Commander. As a Program Manager, he was responsible for program implementation of a classified $2B+ Secretary of Defense directed program leading 150-member satellite payload build, test, and systems integration effort; to deliver one of the most advanced communications capabilities ever fielded.

In 2019, David was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, and was hand-picked to oversee all operational reporting in the country. Working on the 4-Star General’s staff, he was responsible for the daily reporting to U.S. Central Command, synchronizing operations across air, land, and cyber domains.

From 2017 - 2019 David led a $578M satellite payload production effort to deliver a classified one-of-a-kind satellite while securing a $180M contract for next-generation R&D technology. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2013, David Commanded a bi-national Missle Warning Operations crew employing a $250M weapon system to track satellites and rockets launched from the U.S. and abroad.

David’s multidisciplinary detail-oriented background and entrepreneurial spirit naturally led to a primary focus on the management of this emerging asset class. In a space full of charlatans, swindlers, and scammers, bringing honesty, integrity, trust, and transparency is a core tenant of his leadership philosophy.

David is a proud recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and a proud husband to a loving wife and second-grade teacher, Lauren. He earned his B.S. in Humanities from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Business from The University of Southern California.