Episoder
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Introduction:Host: Chris welcomes special guest Hrish Lutleka, Co-founder and CEO of SuperWorld.SuperWorld introduced as a virtual world in augmented reality, a digital twin of the existing world.Guest Background:Hrish's impressive background includes co-founding Rogue Initiative Studios and holding senior positions at renowned institutions.Educational background in political science and business.SuperWorld Mission:Empowers users to create, discover, and monetize content globally using augmented reality.Integration of web3 and virtual real estate as NFTs, dividing the world into 64 billion plots.Entrepreneurial Journey:Hrish's journey from management consulting to Wall Street and venture capital.Exploration of Eastern Europe and co-founding Rogue Initiative Studios.AR/VR Space Entry:Inspired by the success of Pokemon Go, Hrish delves into the AR/VR space.Life Philosophy:Discussion on Hrish's positive energy and life philosophy.Emphasis on pursuing passions and enjoying the entrepreneurial journey.SuperWorld Applications:Commercial ventures and social impact causes on the platform.Examples include virtual real estate, digital art creation in the Amazon jungle, and disaster relief initiatives.Web3 and NFT Integration:SuperWorld's early entry into web3 and NFTs, with a focus on real-world utility.Community engagement through stakeholder relationships and direct transactions.Time Capsule Concept:SuperWorld as a gateway to the metaverse, allowing users to visualize historical or future content in specific locations.Getting Started with SuperWorld:Accessible through the website or mobile app.Users can buy virtual real estate, create content for free, or mint NFTs in the NFT salon.SuperWorld's Impact:Positive response from users and alignment with the evolving understanding of concepts like NFTs and web3.Closing Statements:Invitation for listeners to explore SuperWorld and join in building the virtual world together.Contact details provided for further inquiries.Outro:Chris expresses excitement about SuperWorld's impact and encourages listeners to reach out to Hrish.Hrish shares contact details, emphasizing SuperWorld's accessibility and commitment to educating people about emerging technologies.Gratitude for the podcast community and anticipation for future developments in the metaverse.
Links
SuperWorld
Rogue Initiative Studios
TopTal
Unreal Engine
Unity
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Introduction: The interview delves into various aspects, including Dinis's influences, the significance of education in entrepreneurship, the evolving landscape of technology, and the potential impact of Metaverse, AI, and blockchain on our society.
Key Points:
Influences and Role Models:Dinis Guarda expresses admiration for figures like Tim Draper, highlighting Tim's focus on education and generosity in sharing knowledge worldwide.The hero journey and entrepreneurship training at Draper University are emphasized as critical aspects of cultivating successful entrepreneurs.Role of Role Models and Mentors:Dinis emphasizes the importance of role models and mentors in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset.Reflecting on his own experience as a coach and guest lecturer, Dinis underscores the gap in digital knowledge among students despite their extensive online presence.Challenges in Education Systems:Dinis critiques current educational systems for their lack of emphasis on real-world applications and entrepreneurship.He believes bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical business skills is crucial, especially in the context of Web3 and emerging technologies.Metaverse and AI Impact:Dinis highlights the fear of missing out on Metaverse technology among governments and the importance of simplifying narratives for them.The interview explores Dinis's work in various cities, focusing on concrete solutions and creating a narrative around immersive experiences, blockchain, and AI.Technology and Education:The conversation touches upon the disparity in education about digital technologies, particularly in Metaverse and AI, even among university students.Dinis stresses the need for practical education, case studies, and immersive experiences to prepare individuals for the rapidly changing technological landscape.Narrative and Awareness:Dinis discusses the power of narrative in addressing global challenges and creating awareness, especially among the younger generation.The interview emphasizes the need to develop narratives that provide solutions and opportunities for the 60% of the world's population under 20 years old.Technology's Evolution and Interoperability:The interview explores the evolution of technology, emphasizing interoperability after the establishment of infrastructure.Dinis discusses the potential of technology, especially in AI and Metaverse, to shape the way people experience and explore the world.Passion for Metaverse Technology:Dinis expresses his excitement about Metaverse technology and its potential to revolutionize industries.His focus on creating realistic avatars, digital twins, and the integration of AI in the Metaverse is highlighted as a key area of interest.Education, Mentorship, and Entrepreneurship:The interview concludes with Dinis expressing his passion for education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.He emphasizes the need for practical utility and the challenges posed by the speculative nature of blockchain platforms.Future Goals:Dinis shares his excitement for the future, particularly in advancing Metaverse and AI technologies.The importance of making these technologies accessible for business purposes and integrating them into the educational system is a key focus for Dinis.Conclusion: This interview with Dinis Guarda provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology, education, and entrepreneurship. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, Dinis advocates for a practical and utility-driven approach to ensure positive and impactful outcomes for society.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Introduction:
Lukas is a leader in the builders program for IPFS and Filecoin.Learn about Protocol, Filecoin, and IPFS, and how they contribute to Web3 technologies.Lukas's Background:
Lukas briefly shares his current role leading the builders program for IPFS and Filecoin.Highlights the open-source nature of IPFS and Filecoin, both initially developed by Protocol Labs.Mention of Lukas's conventional business career at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and BCG Digital Ventures.Insight into Lukas's previous work incubating businesses for corporations and his toolkit for building businesses.Transition to Web3:
Lukas explains his transition from Web2 to Web3, fueled by a desire for innovative business models beyond traditional ones.Discussion on the limitations of Web2 data models and the need for collective ownership and monetization in Web3.Lukas's interest in data ownership and the potential of Web3 to enable collective monetization of datasets.Antimicrobial Resistance Project:
Lukas shares his experience working on a project addressing antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the challenges of monetizing such data.The role of Web3 in solving collective data ownership and monetization challenges.Lukas reflects on his entry into the crypto space, initially driven by curiosity and later inspired by the potential of Web3.BCG's Exploration of Blockchain:
Discussion on Lukas's experience at BCG, where blockchain was explored as a buzzword, but with varying success.Lukas's observation that BCG did not deeply dive into Web3 at the time due to the novelty and challenges of shifting business models.Protocol Labs and Filecoin Journey:
Overview of Protocol Labs as an open-source research and development lab dedicated to improving the internet.Introduction to Filecoin as the world's largest decentralized storage network, with 18 million terabytes of capacity.Lukas outlines Filecoin's mainnet launch in October 2020 and its ongoing development, with more than 4,000 storage providers.Filecoin Initiatives:
Lukas mentions upcoming Filecoin initiatives, including the development of Filecoin Virtual Machine, retrieval markets, and Filecoin Green.Emphasis on Filecoin Green's goal to provide verifiable proof of sustainable energy usage in storage.IPFS:
Explanation of IPFS as a P2P version of HTTP, addressing content by what it is rather than where it is.Analogy of referencing a book by its title instead of specifying its location.Discussion on IPFS providing an immutable and eternal reference to a piece of content.Combining IPFS and Filecoin:
Explanation of how IPFS and Filecoin work together, with IPFS providing an eternal reference and Filecoin ensuring verifiable storage.Lukas highlights the flexibility of using IPFS with various decentralized storage solutions and the modularity it offers.Encouragement for NFT owners to use IPFS to address content and consider spreading storage across multiple solutions.Founders and Innovation Process:
IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) was founded in 2014 by Juan Benet, a computer scientist with an interest in securing academic papers and ensuring their immutability.The initial motivation for IPFS was to address the problem of securing academic papers, preventing tampering with results, and ensuring the integrity of research.The innovation process involved a small team at the beginning, with a focus on first principles and addressing fundamental flaws in the centralized internet model.The team at Protocol Labs, where IPFS was developed, engaged in extensive research and development to solve complex problems in cryptography and distributed systems.Over time, the project evolved into Web3, challenging the traditional internet model by adopting a content-addressed approach instead of location-based addressing.Evolution and Community Involvement:
The IPFS community has grown significantly, with thousands of contributors collectively maintaining and developing the project.The beauty of open source is highlighted, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of a diverse community rather than relying on a small group of individuals.The decentralized nature of the community aligns with the principles of Web3, promoting trustless interactions and knowledge distribution across the network.Role of IPFS in Web3:IPFS is characterized as a Web3 technology that breaks free from a centralized internet model, promoting decentralization and trustless interactions.The shift from location-based addressing to content addressing is identified as a fundamental change that addresses issues related to data gatekeeping and monetization.The development of Filecoin (FCO network) is explained as an extension of IPFS, addressing challenges related to pinning and trustlessness.Community Building and Education:
The interviewee's role is to build a community and onboard developers for IPFS-related products.The challenge lies in making complex technologies accessible and exciting for a broader audience.The strategy involves finding use cases that resonate with people, such as NFTs, art, gaming, metaverse, and decentralized science.The goal is to inspire developers to dedicate their time to building innovative products and services using IPFS and related technologies.IPFS Programs for Developers:
The interviewee mentions several programs aimed at developers:Hackathons: Around five hackathons per month to encourage hands-on learning and prototype development.Grants Program: Providing resources to hackathon participants to further develop their projects.Accelerator Programs: Collaborating with partners like Techstars to help participants turn their projects into pitch-ready startups.Building a Welcoming Ecosystem:
The IPFS program aims to be inclusive and welcoming, providing a rich path of opportunities for developers.The ecosystem includes pathways for starting businesses, contributing to existing projects, or transitioning into the broader blockchain and Web3 space.DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Introduction:
Chris interviews May Mahboob, the founder of MBD Financials (Metaverse Business District).May is recognized as a top operator, a Metaverse warrior, public speaker, and a global advocate for financial inclusion.May's Background:
Born in Bangladesh and raised in New York City, May shares her journey from elementary school entrepreneurship to becoming a partner at Lush Cosmetics in Singapore.May studied communications and broadcasting journalism at the University of North Texas and found her passion for business development.Techways and Virtual Reality:
May's interest in technology led her to partner with a renowned author involved in virtual reality, blockchain, AI, and machine learning.Techways explores the use of virtual reality and AI for language learning and personal development, incorporating the concept of super learning.MBD Financials and Metaverse Business District:
MBD Financials focuses on financial inclusion and empowerment through decentralized digital ecosystems.The Metaverse Business District aims to provide a decentralized district where individuals can learn, trade digital assets, and create their financial ecosystems.May discusses the practical applications of immersive experiences, language learning, and the cross-chain NFT marketplace within the Metaverse Business District.Financial Inclusion and Social Impact:
May emphasizes the importance of financial education and accessibility for individuals globally.The Metaverse Business District addresses poverty by providing resources, financial education, and opportunities for individuals to create their own financial ecosystems.Building Credit in the Metaverse:
The discussion covers how individuals can build credit in the metaverse using their skill sets and digital assets.May introduces the concept of creating a trust-based digital identity and utilizing smart contracts for micro-lending.Conclusion:
May's vision is to create a self-sustainable metaverse economy where dreams become reality, emphasizing the impact each person can make, regardless of size.DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Introduction:Chris interviews Matt Fortnow, a computer scientist and mathematician.Matt's significant contributions to computational complexity theory.Professor of computer science at Georgia Institute of Technology.Awards and honors, including the Goddell Prize.Episode Highlights:The podcast focuses on the incredible journeys of entrepreneurs and visionaries.Emphasis on determination, persistence, and resilience.Disclaimer: The show does not provide financial or trading advice, and it does not endorse specific cryptocurrencies or projects.Matt's Background:Matt shares his journey from Carnegie Mellon University to working at a rap agency in New York.Transition to law school and becoming an entertainment lawyer.Involvement in the early days of the internet, fantasy sports, and the sale of their company to CBS Sportsline.Introduction to blockchain in 2015-2016 and deep involvement in NFTs from 2020.NFT Handbook:Matt talks about his book, "The NFT Handbook," published by Wiley Publishing.Exploring the world of NFTs and the underlying technology.The book is available in 10 different languages.Diving into Matt's Career:Matt shares his diverse career journey, including involvement in internet startups, film production, and blockchain.Highlighting the risks and rewards of embracing new technologies.The Click Moment for Blockchain:Matt recalls when he first understood the potential of blockchain, particularly during his involvement with Game Credits around 2015.Projects in the NFT Space:Overview of various NFT projects Matt has been involved in.Licensing the Three Stooges for NFTs, creating NFTs for viral videos, and working on projects with utility aspects.Highlighting the Monrogy's NFTs project with unique utility tied to a platform called Wholesome Fans.Novelty in NFTs:Discussing interesting and lesser-known aspects of NFTs, such as projects tying NFTs to ownership of real racehorses (Silks).Fractionalization of NFTs related to physical objects, copyrights, and royalty streams.Legal considerations, including securities regulations, copyright ownership, privacy, and tax implications.The Metaverse and Play-to-Earn Gaming:Matt expresses excitement about the potential of the metaverse and play-to-earn gaming.Mention of Axie Infinity and the challenges associated with widespread adoption of VR headsets.Conclusion:Thanking Matt Fortnow for sharing his insights and experiences.Encouraging listeners to subscribe, share, and stay tuned for future episodes.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Overview of Bondex:Guest: Ignacio Palomera, Co-founder of BondexDecentralized talent recruitment and networking platformAims to democratize hiring and eliminate middlemenUtilizes blockchain technology for transparency and efficiencyIgnacio’s Journey:Transition from traditional finance to fintech and Web 3.0 startupsRealization of inefficiencies in the recruitment industryInspiration behind founding BondexKey Features of Bondex:Human Bond Exchange conceptGamified professional profilesCrowdsourced referrals and reputation-based recruitmentFuture of Work and Blockchain Integration:Addressing credential fraud with blockchain technologyIntroduction of Soul Bound Tokens for dynamic professional identitiesPotential for smart contracts to revolutionize talent recruitmentRole of HR and Empowering Recruiters:Enhancing transparency and accountability in hiringEmpowering recruiters to monetize networks and referralsEnvisioning a global marketplace for talent enabled by decentralized networksInvitation to Join Bondex:Encouragement for listeners to download the app and build their professional profilesHighlights upcoming milestones and opportunities for rewardsClosing Message:Inspiration and encouragement for entrepreneurs and innovatorsEmphasis on dedication and innovation in achieving successRelated Websites:Bondex
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Key Points Discussed:
Background and Early Entrepreneurial Spirit:
Gerald's unique IBM background and diverse entrepreneurial journey.Discussion on being unemployable and the path to starting one's own business.Gerald's family background of entrepreneurship and lessons learned.Ventures and Challenges:
Overview of businesses acquired by Amazon and involvement in the tech industry.Gerald's experience in solving problems with models and model management, as well as investing in crypto.The challenges of being an entrepreneur, going against the mainstream, and navigating societal expectations.Early Entrepreneurial Influences:
The influence of Gerald's father, an antique dealer, and grandfather, both entrepreneurs.Exploring the restlessness in school and the desire to start something of his own.First Venture and Lessons Learned:
Gerald's initial business venture after graduation and working in a large corporation.Challenges faced, including a potential financing round falling through.The importance of realizing that a deal isn't signed until the money is in the bank.Shift to Tech and Marketplace Focus:
Transitioning to the tech space and involvement in knowledge management.The appeal of two-sided marketplaces and Gerald's focus on marketplace businesses.Challenges and successes in managing two-sided marketplaces.Acquisition by Amazon:
The founding of "buy v i p," a fashion club, and its acquisition by Amazon in 2010.The decision-making process behind the acquisition and the challenges faced.Gerald's departure and reflections on the experience.Investment Phase and Transition:
Gerald's foray into the investment side and the challenges faced as an investor.The excitement of being an entrepreneur versus the complexities of being an investor.Insights into business angel investing and the decision to focus more on personal ventures.Blockchain "Ah-ha" Moment:Gerald discusses the pivotal moment when individuals recognize the potential of blockchain technology. This often occurs when someone has an entrepreneurial drive, engaging in activities like selling baseball cards or washing cars in their youth.Initial Skepticism:
Gerald shares a personal experience of initially dismissing blockchain, recounting an incident at a conference where a person in a golden suit with pistols shooting out dollar notes presented Bitcoin. He initially found it unappealing and remained focused on enabling women to start sustainable businesses in a different sector.Revisiting Blockchain:
In 2018-2019, after selling a previous business, Gerald reevaluates blockchain as his co-founder suggests looking into it again. He becomes an advisor for a blockchain, Web3, and NFT-focused project. Witnessing a million-dollar NFT sale in 60 seconds, he realizes the significant shift happening in the industry.Tectonic Shift and Decentralization:
Gerald expresses his realization that blockchain represents a tectonic shift, comparable to the advent of smartphones and the internet. He highlights the decentralization of data and the creation of a new monetary system within the industry.Challenges in the Current System:
Gerald critiques the dominance of major tech companies (Google, Apple, Amazon) in owning and controlling vast amounts of user data. He believes this system is flawed, and the motivation within the blockchain space is set to bring about significant changes in how companies operate and ownership is perceived.Web3's Spirit of Innovation:
Gerald appreciates the entrepreneurial spirit in the Web3 space, where people are excited to explore possibilities. He acknowledges that while many ventures may fail, the potential for groundbreaking innovations is limitless.Novelty of Business Models:
Both speakers discuss the novelty of business models enabled by Web3 technology. They particularly emphasize the impact of NFTs and the intersection of creativity and technology in this space.Introduction to EtherMail:
The conversation shifts to EtherMail, and Gerald explains how the idea originated from challenges in managing communication within communities formed around NFT and token projects on platforms like Discord and Telegram.Web3 Email Innovation:
Gerald elaborates on the innovation behind Web3 email, emphasizing its integration with wallet addresses. He envisions email as a bridge between Web2 and Web3, potentially onboarding billions of users into the Web3 world.Challenges of Growth:
Gerald discusses the challenges faced during EtherMail's rapid growth, highlighting the need to scale systems and manage increasing traffic. The team is working to onboard more people and navigate the multitude of opportunities available.Communication Marketplace and Token Rewards:
EtherMail introduces a communication marketplace with its own communication currency, enabling users to control the level of information shared. Companies can target users based on preferences and reward them with tokens for their attention.Privacy and User Choice:
Gerald emphasizes the importance of privacy and user choice, allowing individuals to decide the extent to which they share information. Users can define the categories they are open to and set values for the information they wish to receive.Upcoming Challenges and Token Launch:
The near future holds challenges related to company growth and the planned token launch. EtherMail aims to play a leading role in defining communication in the Web3 space and considers strategic partnerships or acquisitions.Links:
Ethermail
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Introduction:
Podcast explores the inspiring stories of successful individuals.Mary Spio, the guest, is a pioneering entrepreneur with a diverse background.CEEK is a platform at the intersection of VR and blockchain, offering immersive entertainment experiences.Mary Spio's Background:
Mary grew up with an entrepreneurial mother and a father who was an attorney and college professor.Her educational journey included studies in electrical engineering and computer science.Joining the Air Force as a satellite technician marked a significant chapter in Mary's life.Transition to Entertainment:
Mary's passion for entertainment led her to work with Boeing and explore the world of satellite communication.Trying on an Oculus headset sparked the idea for CEEK, envisioning immersive experiences in VR.CEEK's Success:
Partnerships with major artists like Megadeth and Bon Jovi solidified CEEK's presence in the entertainment industry.The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for virtual events, further establishing CEEK as a leader.Blockchain Integration:
Mary recognized challenges faced by global artists in monetizing content on traditional platforms.CEEK integrated blockchain for transparency, content tracking, and efficient payments.Seamless User Experience:
Mary emphasizes the importance of creating a seamless user experience on CEEK.The utility token on CEEK is compared to in-game currencies like Roblox's Robux.Future of Virtual Commerce:
Mary envisions a future where virtual commerce becomes the norm, impacting fashion, automotive, and real estate industries.CEEK aims to revolutionize user interaction with products and services through immersive experiences.Conclusion:
Mary Spio's journey showcases the transformative power of combining technology, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.CEEK is leading the way in redefining how users experience and engage with the virtual world.For more inspiring stories, subscribe to the podcast, where hard work and dedication prove that anything is possible.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Introduction:
Overview of Chris's podcast episode featuring Stani Kulechov, founder of Aave.Exploration of Stani's background, entrepreneurial journey, and the inception of Aave.Early Days of Curiosity:
Stani's early experiences with technology and video games.Transition from playing video games to building servers and exploring programming.Initial focus on consumer-facing programming, particularly in FinTech applications.From Law to Blockchain:
Stani's decision to study law in Helsinki, Finland, to understand the impact of regulations on finance.Discovery of Ethereum and smart contracts, leading to a fascination with blockchain technology.Aave's Inception and DeFi Evolution:
Creation of Aave as a decentralized lending and borrowing platform.The significance of ecosystem empowerment in the growth of DeFi.The role of Aave in reshaping the financial application landscape.Recognizing the Power of Ethereum:
Stani's realization of Ethereum's potential beyond changing account numbers.Understanding the concept of programmable money and the emergence of DAOs.Scaling Aave and Building Culture:
Stani's perspective on scaling Aave as similar to building a product.The importance of a builder mindset, aligned teams, and organizational culture.The Lens Protocol: Redefining Social Media on Web3:
Introduction of the Lens Protocol, a decentralized social graph on blockchain.Empowering users with on-chain profiles and censorship-resistant relationships.Dynamic NFTs and Monetization Tools:
Explanation of dynamic NFTs, allowing continual content updates.Built-in monetization tools, including collection fees and mirroring for content creators.Web3's Future and Twitter's Potential Shift:
Reflection on the suspension of Stani's Twitter account.Discussion on the potential transition of social media platforms like Twitter into Web3.Conclusion:
Stani's journey as a technophile, entrepreneur, and creator of innovative blockchain solutions.Lens Protocol as a testament to the transformative power of blockchain in finance and social media.Important Company Websites:
AaveLens ProtocolDREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Setting the Stage: Chris Joannou opens the episode by introducing Casey Fenton and Upstock, highlighting their mission to celebrate entrepreneurship. The focus is on the stories of determination, persistence, and resilience that inspire us all. The episode emphasizes that true success doesn't happen overnight.
Casey Fenton's Background: The conversation shifts to Casey's background, touching on his journey from growing up in a small town to becoming a serial entrepreneur. He shares his experiences in Alaska, involvement in politics, and how he taught himself to code. Casey's journey led to the creation of CouchSurfing, a platform connecting travelers worldwide.
CouchSurfing's Impact: Casey reflects on the success of CouchSurfing, growing it to 14 million members globally. He describes it as the original Airbnb, providing low-cost accommodations and cultural experiences. Despite the success, challenges arose, particularly in equity distribution for early contributors.
The Birth of Upstock: Casey introduces Upstock as a solution to the challenges he faced with equity distribution. He explains the difficulties in using traditional stock options and the inspiration behind creating a platform that simplifies and gamifies the process, making it more transparent and motivating for contributors.
Upstock's Core Concept: The conversation explores the core concept of Upstock, focusing on Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and how they offer a more accessible and transparent way to distribute equity. Casey emphasizes the importance of aligning incentives and fostering a sense of ownership among contributors.
Expanding to Web3: Chris Joannou steers the conversation towards the intersection of Upstock with Web3 and the broader crypto space. Casey discusses how Upstock adapted its model to accommodate token-based incentives, introducing Restricted Token Units (RTUs). This opens up possibilities for crypto companies to distribute tokens without the complexities of traditional methods.
Revolutionizing Equity Distribution: Casey shares the vision behind Upstock—increasing worker ownership from the current 8% to 30%. He envisions transforming the world by empowering individuals with equity, reducing wealth disparity, and encouraging a mindset shift towards entrepreneurship.
Conclusion: The podcast episode concludes with gratitude from both Chris Joannou and Casey Fenton. The audience is encouraged to explore Upstock and its innovative approach to equity distribution. The conversation serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a call to action to rethink traditional models of ownership.
Note: The provided content is a fictional blog post based on the information provided in the user's request. The details may not accurately represent real events or individuals.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Summary: Avery Akkineni discussed various aspects of Web3 strategies in the most recent podcast. According to her, clients want to design things that will be successful in the long run. She also mentioned that there are different ways to approach integrating Web3 strategies, including launching a full-scale NFT project or collaborating with others in the industry. Collaborations can be a great way to dip your toes into the space, and they can help brands build relevance and surprise and delight consumers. She emphasized the importance of designing products that are built for the long-term with services that extend beyond Web3 natives.. For brands that are hesitant about taking the crypto plunge, collaborations offer a good way to get started with lightweight initial steps like poll apps, sponsoring events in the Web3 space, or spending time getting the strategy right.
About Avery
President of Vayner3, Avery Akkineni, is leading the mission to guide the world's largest enterprises and intellectual property owners in navigating the next iteration of connected consumer behavior.
In July 2021, Akkineni launched the VaynerX consultancy, Vayner3, alongside serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. In less than twelve months, Akkineni successfully led the expansion of the consultancy to 50+ global digital innovation experts. Partnering with dozens of Fortune 500 corporations across industries, Vayner3 has successfully advised organizations on strategic initiatives for brands, including Web3 program development, generative AI, and immersive digital experiences.
A leader, mentor, and investor in pioneering Web3 projects and communities, Akkineni is also an active advisor for several tech platforms, serving on the Board of Advisors of OneOf and Tracer, on the Web3 Advisory Board for Salesforce, Meta Creative Council, in addition to being a founding BFF member.
Before the launch of Vayner3, Avery spearheaded VaynerMedia's expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, building a team of 150 people and opening VaynerMedia offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Sydney, while being awarded as Marketing-Interactive’s 2021 Independent Agency of the Year (Gold) within two years. Additionally, Avery has been honored on the "Woman to Watch" by Campaign Asia, “Web3 Marketing Trailblazer” by Ad Age, on "NFT100" by NFTNow, and on "30 Under 30" by The Drum. Before VaynerX, Avery spent her early career at Google in Silicon Valley, while she now resides in Miami, FL.
Introduction
Entrepreneurial Journey: Avery shares her inspiring journey, from growing up in Nashville to working with tech giants like Google and VaynerMedia.
Genesis of VaynerNFT: The episode explores the birth of VaynerNFT, Gary Vee's venture into the NFT space, and the strategic thinking behind it.
Strategic Insights: Avery emphasizes VaynerNFT's commitment to long-term thinking, collaboration, and exploring layer twos for sustainability.
Balancing Artistic Integrity: The conversation delves into how VaynerNFT navigates internal politics and strikes a balance between artistic integrity and corporate requirements.
Sustainability and Utility: Avery discusses VaynerNFT's projects focusing on sustainability and the rising trend of utility-oriented NFTs.
The Power of Community: VaynerNFT's success is attributed to community building, understanding social dynamics, and consumer behavior.
Exciting Trends in NFTs: Avery shares her excitement about upcoming trends, particularly utility-oriented NFTs and open editions.
Companies and Platforms Mentioned:
Vayner3 Official Website
Veefriends
VaynerMedia
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Welcome to another exciting episode of DREAMPUSHERS, the podcast that dives into the inspiring journeys of entrepreneurs and visionaries. In this episode, your host, Chris Joannou, sits down with Timmu Toke, the co-founder and CEO of Ready Player Me, a game-changing platform at the forefront of the evolving world of 3D avatars. Timmu shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with early ventures selling food at 12, launching a fashion tech company at 18, and eventually leading to the creation of Ready Player Me. The conversation explores the transformative potential of avatars in the metaverse, discussing topics like blockchain, big-brand collaborations, and the future of virtual interactions. Discover how Timmu's early experiences shaped his path, the challenges faced in building avatars for enterprise clients, and the pivotal role Ready Player Me played during the pandemic's surge in virtual experiences. Timmu also delves into the significance of interoperability in the metaverse and the exciting developments in the digital fashion industry. Join Chris and Timmu as they explore the dynamic landscape of the metaverse, offering insights into the tech behind avatars, the importance of visual identity, and the future possibilities of virtual fashion.
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PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Justin Banon is a co-founder and visionary entrepreneur passionate about applying technological advancements to solve real-world problems. He is most well-known as the co-founder of Boson Protocol, a revolutionary decentralized network that aims to shape the future of commerce. With a background in physics, digital innovation, and crypto, Justin has always been interested in using the first principles of thinking to approach challenges and create solutions.
Justin's previous experience includes co-founding the Priority Pass Group, where he played an instrumental role in growing the company into a global rewards platform generating over $1 billion in annual revenue. His work in tech and innovation has gained him recognition as a thought leader and influencer, and he has been invited to speak at conferences and events worldwide.
Justin is committed to promoting equitable and fair commerce, and he believes that by combining cool tech with deep tech, we can create a future where commerce is accessible to all. He is an advocate for blockchain technology and believes that it has the potential to change the way we do business, create more transparency, and increase trust in transactions.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Ilya Abugov is a co-founder and partner at Sanctor Capital, a blockchain investment firm that provides guidance and support to early-stage blockchain projects. He is also the former Head of Research at Crypto_Briefing, a leading cryptocurrency and blockchain media company.
Abugov has a background in computer science and traditional finance, having worked as a software engineer and a financial analyst at various companies before becoming involved in the blockchain industry. He became interested in blockchain technology in 2013 and has since become a prominent figure in the industry, with a focus on early-stage investments and supporting blockchain startups.
At Sanctor Capital, Abugov is responsible for identifying and evaluating early-stage blockchain projects, with a particular emphasis on the team behind each project and their ability to execute on their idea. He also oversees the firm's mentorship program and incubation for projects.
Abugov is an active member of the blockchain community, frequently speaking at industry events and sharing his insights on social media. He holds a BA and MA in Economics and minor in computer science from Boston University.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Conlan Rios is the CEO and co-founder of Async Art. Conlan taught himself to be a mobile developer at 16-years-old. At the age of 18, Conlan used his knowledge and skills to enter the industry as a full-time developer. Conlan’s career evolved and among his many accomplishments, he can boast of being a DeFi and NFT veteran who helped launch the first version of Uniswap.info and was the first contractor hired for DefiPulse. Conlan has brought his experience as a former developer to the NFT space, where he is committed to building a platform that serves various communities around the world.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Fireside with Eric Tang, Founder of Livepeer - the number one platform for decentralized live video broadcast on the internet! Eric previously co-founded Wilcard Inc and was a lead developer at Hyperpublic which was acquired by Groupon.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Fireside with Lily Wu, co-founder of WOW Pixies, a social DAO that invests in women and diversity-led projects in the NFT ecosystem. Lily is currently the Startup Partner Lead, SEA at Stripe.
At the age of 16, Lily entered the startup world and founded her first company, making half a million dollars selling shoes. She started her second business at 19 years old, Austern International, which ended up generating over 7 figures in revenue and facilitated over 1,000 students attending physical Career Bootcamps in New York, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Melbourne!
From there, she became the Head of Programs for NewCampus, an Edutech startup based in Singapore. In 2021 she became the founding ambassador of Future Females Singapore, a global organization dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs acquire the resources and connections they need to succeed.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Polkadot is a blockchain network built to enable Web 3.0. Polkadot (DOT) uses the nominated proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus algorithm, parachains and a relay chain to facilitate a more scalable blockchain ecosystem.
Irina explains the idea behind decentralization, where users control their data and markets prosper from network efficiency and security. Polkadot has the lowest total electricity consumption; it’s the second most sustainable blockchain platform.
The UN has been hosting COP conferences where climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority. Companies are looking to solve climate change problems, but it is also essential to look for ways to educate and be aware of the changes that can be made through every day actions. NFTs can be used to promote climate action.
Unique Network is built on Polkadot, and the efficient and climate-friendly PoS blockchain. This technology and infrastructure allows meaningful steps to be taken for environmental conservation.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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Flux has signed a contract with GSR, a global digital asset trading and market-making leader. GSR will take the Flux financial game to the next level by leveraging the expertise of seasoned veterans in trading, quantitative investments, and trading technology. With the financial development safely in the hands of GSR, the core Flux team can focus solely on building the decentralized web 3.0 of the future.
Flux has had a fantastic year so far, with many milestone events. The development team has been relentlessly implementing new and innovative features in the Flux ecosystem. It has parallel assets on multiple blockchains and cross-chain. The Flux community has also stepped up. Also, the massive growth of the Flux network is seen that now exceeds 16,000+ globally deployed decentralized nodes. Many new miners are jumping in, bringing major increases to the Flux mining hashrate. And the community launched a very successful marketing effort that keeps sharing the good message that Flux is the project to watch if you want to see proper web 3.0 development and innovation in the blockchain space.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
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About VeChain
Launched in 2015 as a private consortium network, the VeChain Foundation went on to launch the VeChainThor public blockchain in 2018, a fully programmable, EVM-compatible layer one smart contract platform.
Its unique two-token model ensures stable, low transaction costs while an advanced Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism guarantees high throughput, scalability, and security with minimal energy consumption. VeChainThor’s robust architecture has seen zero downtime for the network after almost 4 years of continuous operation.
Strong independent capabilities combined with the professional compliance guidance of strategic partners PwC and DNV has seen VeChain to establish partnerships with leading enterprises including Walmart China, Bayer China, BMW Group, BYD Auto, PICC, H&M Group, Shanghai Gas, LVMH, D.I.G, ASI Group and more.
VeChain continues to pioneer real-world blockchain applications across the globe with offices in Luxembourg, China, Singapore, San Marino, Milan, Ireland, Japan, France and the United States, working on wide-ranging applications from supply chain & logistics, sustainability & SDGs, carbon emissions, energy, medicine, De-Fi, NFTs and much more.
DREAMPUSHERS
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
- Se mer
