Who is behind NEAR Protocol?

Who exactly is the mastermind behind the NEAR Protocol? Could you elaborate on the individuals or teams responsible for its creation and development? What are their backgrounds and qualifications that make them suitable for such a groundbreaking project? I'm also curious about their vision and mission for NEAR Protocol. What do they hope to achieve with this technology, and how do they plan to execute their strategies? Additionally, I'm interested in knowing if there are any notable investors or partners supporting NEAR Protocol and what their role is in its growth and success.