My caution: I worked for a $megacorp that had retained numerous outside counsel firms and had over a floor in the HQ skyscraper dedicated to in-house lawyers.

If they felt like making an example of a person, they could (and likely would) litigate you into the ground. I honestly don't know if your present/past employers would or wouldn't do that, but it's a nontrivial risk and if it occurred you would be in one heck of a tough spot.

I'm not sure what I'd do, tbh. Without a really good story ("My relative had an exotic disease named after her and I needed to raise cash for an experimental treatment only available in Gstaad during a full moon."), you not just risk legal action, but also risk leaving a bad taste in someone important's mouth ("Will hashxyz two-time me/my investment, as well?").

Is it possible to find someone else to be the point person, while you hang back for the initial phase(s)? If it comes out after you've already got momentum, things may turn out alright. However, as you know, it's a dice roll.