From Finance To Fine Art: Sho Kim-Wechsler's XVERSO Journey

Sho-Joung Kim-Wechsler is anything but a typical finance professional. After years in the corporate world, holding finance roles at PwC, Deloitte, Fortress Investment Group, 1stdibs and Artsy, she took a bold step in 2021 by founding XVERSO - a premium digital art marketplace designed for artists and collectors to discover, collect, and experience exceptional digital artworks from around the world.

Sho-Joung (Sho) and I connected to talk about her inspiring journey from finance to founder, her experience scaling art marketplaces, the value of learning from failure, the lessons she carries from her finance career, and the future of digital art.

A Lifelong Passion for Art

"Growing up in Germany, Kim-Wechsler was captivated by art from an early age. While her classmates played outside, she found herself drawn to a poster of Picasso’s Child with a Dove, mesmerized by its colors, textures, and light. Looking back, she realizes that was her first true connection to art. Yet, her passion didn’t immediately translate into a career. Instead, she pursued business and economics, eventually landing a role at Deloitte in New York. Reflecting on that time, she shares, “I always joke that I wish Deloitte had fired me in my first year—I would have become an entrepreneur much sooner!” She adds, “I sometimes wonder—if they had let me go, would I have found my way back to art faster?”

A Finance Career That Led to Art

Kim-Wechsler’s journey back to the art world was anything but straightforward. After roles at Deloitte, PwC, and Fortress Investment Group, she transitioned into the art and antiques market, serving as Controller and Director of Finance at 1stdibs—an online marketplace connecting buyers with antique dealers specializing in vintage furniture, jewelry, fashion, and art.

As the Head of Finance at Artsy, a leading contemporary art platform, she gained firsthand experience in scaling digital art marketplaces, further fueling her passion for blending technology and art.

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Today, as the founder of XVERSO, she is pioneering a new standard for digital art – where collectors don’t just buy art but experience it as an immersive part of their lives.

“Digital art is still new to many,” she explains. “People are curious but often unfamiliar with it. XVERSO is a premium, curated digital art marketplace where collectors can discover extraordinary artists and purchase exclusive works. We also offer installation services, creating immersive digital experiences for offices, private, and public spaces. Our goal is to merge digital and physical spaces seamlessly.

Bringing Art to Silicon Valley’s Tech-Driven World

Kim-Wechsler’s move to Silicon Valley was an eye-opener. Having lived in New York, she was used to an environment rich in arts and culture. In contrast, Silicon Valley’s tech visionaries—who are reshaping the world—often lack meaningful exposure to art in their daily lives. Yet many are eager to engage with it, which presents a unique opportunity for digital art to bridge this gap.

“There are so many artists who, even if they come from a traditional background, have embraced technology as a medium,” she says. “Technology-driven art isn’t new—it has evolved alongside technological advancements. But it has always been a niche within a niche. Now, digital tools allow artists to create experiences that go beyond what’s possible with traditional media like acrylic or oil paint.”

Beyond individual collectors, XVERSO has also placed artworks in corporate and private collections. One standout project was a collaboration with SK hynix, transforming their headquarters with digital art experiences featuring works from XVERSO’s exclusive roster. “It’s exciting to see companies embracing digital art not just as decoration, but as a way to create dynamic, engaging environments that reflect their innovation and vision,” says Kim-Wechsler.

She believes that even historical artists would have embraced today’s innovations. “Visionary artists have always pushed boundaries. If Da Vinci were working today, his experiments would likely include digital mediums—just as Hockney did with his iPad paintings.”

Blockchain: A Game Changer for Artists

As digital art gains momentum, blockchain technology has emerged as a crucial tool, ensuring provenance and authenticity. XVERSO leverages this technology to provide collectors with verified, immutable ownership—solving long-standing issues in the art world. “Provenance has always been a challenge in the art world,” Kim-Wechsler explains. “Certificates on paper can be lost or damaged over time, but blockchain ensures that provenance is permanently recorded and verifiable. It’s a game-changer—an indestructible record that protects both artists and collectors as long as the technology continues to exist.” Beyond authenticity, blockchain also enables artists to receive royalties on resales, a benefit historically absent from the traditional art market. “For too long, artists would sell their early works for modest sums, only to see them auctioned for millions later, without earning a cent. By embedding royalties into blockchain transactions, XVERSO ensures that artists not only gain recognition but also continue to earn as their works appreciate – something the traditional art market has not provided in the past.”

A Founder’s Mindset

Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Kim-Wechsler sees strong parallels between artists and startup founders. Artists and startup founders share a common journey—both refine their vision and push forward despite skepticism and obstacles. “You spend a lot of time alone, believing in something before others see it,” Kim-Wechsler says. “Both paths demand resilience, conviction, and unwavering belief in your work.”

The Future of Digital Art

Looking ahead, Kim-Wechsler envisions a future where digital art is seamlessly integrated into everyday life—from homes and offices to public spaces and beyond. “The future of art is changing, and it’s an exciting time to be part of that evolution,” she says. “We’re at the forefront of a movement where digital art is not just an emerging category, but a vital and immersive form of cultural expression.”

For finance professionals—or anyone considering a leap into a new field—Kim-Wechsler offers straightforward advice: “You don’t have to have everything figured out, but trust that the journey will teach you what you need to know. Starting XVERSO has been an incredible learning experience—one that has allowed me to contribute to the growing intersection of art and technology. With XVERSO at the forefront, digital art is no longer an emerging category – it’s an essential force shaping the future of cultural expression.”