Episodes
-
This week's guest is Ryan Jones, Director of Product Management at ConsenSys. Ryan got the web3 bug in November 2021 when he joined ConsenSys the iconic enterprise blockchain company operating Metamask and many other notable web3 brands. In this episode, Ryan talks to Zach about what it takes to scale product teams and how web3 is finally hitting a technological inflection point where mass adoption is inevitable.
Get more from Ryan via his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjjones10/
Chapters
00:00 Ryan's Journey and Growing a Product Team: Ryan talks about his background and the experience of growing a product team from 0 to over 200 in multiple countries.
09:41 Working at ConsenSys: Ryan discusses his current work at ConsenSys, a blockchain technology company and parent of MetaMask.
19:21 Decentralized Identity and Digital Wallets: The importance of decentralized identity and the influence of digital wallets on our everyday lives are discussed.
29:21 The Impact of NFTs: Ryan and Zach delve into the potential impact of NFTs when adopted by the masses, including in the realm of consumer interaction.
39:41 Navigating through Chaos: Ryan describes his experience of providing direction and creating order in the dynamic and rapidly-evolving environment of ConsenSys.
49:11 Looking Towards the Future: In the closing stages of the interview, Ryan talks about his vision for the future of Web 3.0, digital wallets, and the crypto space.
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Jeff Kauffman Jr., founder of Jump News and Parachute, two brands leading the way in marketing for web3. Jeff has a storied history in the marketing agency world, having worked on many massive brands including Chick-fil-a’s famous cow ads. He has used that experience to build Jump as the premium web3 marketing community for brand marketers, agency professionals, and entrepreneurs who are passionate about the space. We talk about the evolution of web3 and the Jump community, and most excitingly we discuss Jump News 2.0 and the future of content creation in web3.
We Discuss...
Web 3.0 and Connections: Jeff Kauffman suggests that the core of Web 3.0 is about creating deeper connections between people and decentralizing the internet.
The Role of Social Tokens: Social tokens provide a novel way for communities to interact and form connections, offering more significant value representation than traditional likes or follows.
Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Social Graphs: NFTs can create unique social graphs, offering valuable insights to brands and product builders, and fostering personalized experiences for users.
Future of Tech Interaction: The future of how people interact with technology isn't necessarily a replication of existing platforms (like a Twitter clone) but might be a completely new approach leveraging the benefits of blockchain and Web 3.0.
Accelerating the Industry with Jump News: Jeff envisions Jump News as a platform that will push the blockchain and crypto industry forward by attracting thought leaders and contributors who can provide high-level insights.
Impact of AI on Web 3.0: AI technology is accelerating the need for Web 3.0, highlighting the importance of decentralization and personal ownership on the web.
Distinction between AI and Web 3.0: Although often grouped together, AI and Web 3.0 are different. AI can exist without decentralization and user ownership, characteristics that are central to Web 3.0.
Creation of Global Brands: The combination of AI and Web 3.0 technologies could lead to the creation of global brands, some of which might surpass current Fortune 500 companies in size and influence.
Fast-paced Evolution of Brands: In the future, the scale and influence of brands could grow at an unprecedented rate, with top brands being created in a short period, thanks to the advancements in Web 3.0 and AI.
Role of Community in Web 3.0: The future of Web 3.0 lies in the power of the community, with user-centric experiences becoming more important than ever.
The Importance of Thought Leadership in Web 3.0: Jeff emphasizes the need for thought leaders in the blockchain space to accelerate innovation and push the industry forward.
Web 3.0 and Real-World Change: The advancement of Web 3.0 is not just a digital phenomenon, but it also has the potential to create real-world changes, impacting products, services, and global brands.
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
Missing episodes?
-
My guest today is Adrian Pocobelli (https://twitter.com/pocobelli ), who has an amazing show on YouTube called Artist Journal where he dives deep into digital art and artists (https://www.youtube.com/@pocobelli ). He also hosts his show as spaces for Rug Radio, the iconic Web3-native media brand. His journey as an artist began on an iPhone 6s on apps he still uses today. In this episode, we dive into the differences between art culture in North America and Berlin, and go on many other tangents inside and outside of web3. Adrian is just the type of person we need in Web3 for it to truly thrive.
We Discuss:
The power of digital tools in expanding artistic capabilities, allowing creators to blend traditional art elements with digital features, resulting in a unique artistic expression.
The challenges of digital art, especially its ephemeral nature and vulnerability to replication.
Adrian's creative process demonstrates a fusion of traditional techniques and digital tools, highlighting the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing artistic landscape.
Adrian discusses the transformative power of blockchain and NFTs in democratizing art distribution, breaking down barriers for artists and providing new platforms for showcasing their work.
Inspiration, according to Adrian, can come from any corner of life, reinforcing the idea that creativity is not a confined concept but a holistic experience that integrates various life aspects.
The emergence of Web3 has resulted in a more accessible and democratic art scene, changing the way we experience and interact with art, says Adrian.
Adrian's optimistic outlook for the future of digital art underscores his belief in the long-term potential of the digital economy, emphasizing its role in enhancing art's visibility and sustainability.
Adrian describes Web 3 as "youthful and optimistic," emphasizing the positive drive and innovative mindset of those engaged in this new digital landscape.
Chapters
0:00 Adrian’s Background
10:49 Berlin vs North American Art Culture
19:48 Adrian’s Web3 Inflection Point - Finance not Art
26:01 Adrian's Experience with Community and Selling Art
33:00 Art without Borders or Barriers to Entry
41:30 Accessibility and UX in Web3 vs TradFi
46:10 Adrian’s Show, Self-Awareness and Psychedelics
59:55 The Future of Digital Art and Adrian's Role in It
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest this week is Adam Sternbach (https://twitter.com/adamsternbach ), General Counsel of Tessera (https://twitter.com/tessera ). Adam has been on the frontlines of the legal side of web3 since 2021, but has been on a lifelong journey to make things better. After a brief career on the public side, he turned his sites to private practice and the startup world to make a bigger impact. He has one of the most comprehensive understandings of the current state of US regulation, and provides countless examples of how we as a community in web3 can educate lawmakers and others to help provide legitimacy to the space.
We Discuss:
The difference of making an impact on society through the public and private sector
Tessera’s latest release - Escher - providing a single pane of glass for collectors and artists
The future of State vs Federal regulation of digital assets, and why it is important to educate as to the nuances between different uses of the technology
How web3 provides the individual with so much empowerment to make the world a better place and have upside in outcomes of the technology
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Adam and How to Make Things Happen
09:51 Adam’s Web3 Background 2013-Now
17:01 What is Tessera and Escher?
21:40 Education: How to Make an Impact on Policy Makers
32:22 Consumer Protection Outside Regulation
37:00 Tribalism and the Moral High Ground
48:25 Closing Questions - What is Web3? What is the future?
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest this week is Jacob Robinson (https://twitter.com/JacobRobinsonJD ), host of the Law of Code Podcast (https://www.lawofcode.io/ ) where he talks to the top legal leaders in web3. Additionally, Jacob is an associate attorney at McCarthy Tétrault one of the most prominent law firms in Canada where he helps clients like crypto exchanges navigate the complex regulatory landscape. In these two roles, Jacob hopes to be a leader in stewarding policy forward and helping to legitimize the industry by enabling more effective formations of capital and business structures. If you want an update on how to build a sustainable business in Web3, this is a great episode. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed by Jacob Robinson in this episode are solely his own and do not constitute legal advice nor the opinion of McCarthy Tetrault.
Key takeaways:
Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) have the potential to change the way businesses are governed and organized, leading to more efficient formations of capital.
Blockchain and cryptocurrency regulations can help legitimize the industry and provide a more secure environment for businesses and users.
Web3 can improve trust, transparency, and efficiency in systems of record and public services, such as property transactions and divorce filings.
Governments and regulators must balance fostering innovation and protecting consumers in the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape.
The adoption of Web3 could lead to a more equitable and customer-centric internet, in which users have more control over their data and experience.
How open conversations and collaborations help overcome regulatory challenges and promote the widespread adoption
Chapters
00:00 Jacob’s Take on Legal Landscape for Blockchain and Crypto
12:31 DAOs and the future of business
21:59 Navigating Regulatory Landscape to Foster Innovation
32:26 Importance of Transparency, Trust, and Efficiency
42:41 Regulation’s Impact on Adoption
52:41 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Simon Yi (https://twitter.com/da0uch ), founder of Myosin.xyz (https://twitter.com/Myosin_xyz ), a global network of marketers building marketing tools that accelerate the direct to community movement. Simon is what we would call an OG. He started as Head of Growth at Consensys Mesh in 2020 where helped grow staple brands like Chainlink and Filecoin. He is the most experienced growth marketer we’ve had on the show. While numbers are a massive part of Simon’s expertise, he doesn’t hesitate to do some deeper philosophical thinking about the unique value offered by blockchain.
We Discuss...
From the very start of the episode, we are talking numbers. Dunbar’s number. What is a healthy percentage of retention and activity in Discord.
Myosin aims to create a reputation system for Web3, offering a new model for creators, brands, and communities to engage with their audiences and stakeholders.
Reputation scores in Myosin are designed to be a combination of on-chain and off-chain factors, rewarding positive behavior and encouraging collaboration within communities.
Tokenized online communities, such as Friend with Benefits (“FWB”) and DAOs, demonstrate the potential of Web3 to change the way people interact, collaborate, and generate value together.
The adoption and growth of Web3 technology will depend on its ability to address real-world problems, such as copyright and attribution for artists and creators.
FWB's partnership with a liquor brand showcases how blockchain and smart contracts can automate revenue sharing, providing a new way for brands to partner to provide unique experiences for communities and automate the terms.
Localized Web3 communities, similar to Facebook groups or neighborhood-based groups, present a significant opportunity for innovation and growth in the space.
Simon, the founder of Myosin, envisions Web3 succeeding through the formation of "network states," which are interest-based communities that transcend geographic borders.
In the next six to twelve months, Myosin aims to mint its first on-chain reputation score, potentially unlocking a new phase of growth for the platform.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:24 The Idea Behind Myosin
08:42 Web3's Impact on Creators
13:51 Relevance of Reputation Scores
19:03 Onboarding Artists and Creators
25:26 Tokenizing Online Communities
31:07 Web3's Adoption and Growth
37:03 Social Tokens and the Future of Communities
49:51 Brands Leveraging Blockchain Technologies
53:20 Opportunities in Localized Web3 Communities
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Alexa Lombardo (https://twitter.com/alexa_lombardo ), a seasoned brand strategist who truly embodies the web3-native idea of a contributor. She has her own agency called Atomic No. 8. She is a primary strategy contributor at Gitcoin, one of the oldest brands in Web3, that creates tools to fund what matters. Alexa started her career in corporate strategy at major health and beauty brands including Estee Lauder and Unilever before moving to the brand strategy side. Curious about the difference? Don’t worry we will cover that in the show. After discovering web3 and the ability to bring people together to effectuate a purpose, Alexa has gone deep into what it takes to build a sustainable future for this space. We get a masterclass on building thriving communities and the history of collectives.
We Discuss:
Alexa’s forced inflection point into web3 when iOS changed the default to disable tracking across apps
Community owned brands - everyone is empowered to be a marketer, developer and more
Follow your passions
What is strategy? Brand vs Business Strategy
Either solving problems or building solutionsDon’t build solutions for problems that don’t existDon’t continuously looks for problemsFind then balanceTools trying to bridge the gap NOTE TO SELF TO FIND WEBSITES
CocreateUnlock PlaygroundWhat is community management?
Everyone in a community is a community managerShilling is WOM marketing but requires deeper meaning than price go upCollectives have had many names - Unions, Coops, and DAOs - they are all based on basic human psychology
Organic Community Building
Start with a visionFigure out how to cocreateFacilitate communication Set specific steps to build end product/serviceSet incentive structures and evolve them over timeChapters
0:00 Alexa’s Founding Story
6:37 Corporate vs Brand Strategy
21:47 Building thriving communities Pt. 1
31:01 Collective Networks - DAOs, Ecosystem and Humans
45:18 What is Gitcoin? Funding what matters
52:09 Building thriving communities Pt. 2
1:07:16 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Mark Soares, CMO and Founder of Blokhaus, marketing agency and product lab built for whats next. Prior to blokhaus, Mark spent 8 years at Nikon. His entire professional career has been an exploration of art and technology through the lens of both engineers and consumers. We discuss the commonalities between cameras and blockchain, the unique way Mark built blokhaus to align incentives with brands, and how to avoid an engagement ponzi. Most exciting about this episode is today Mark is launching a brand new gaming studio Gojira Labs. It will use a unique technology called animatronic NFTs or aNFTs to bring a whole new level of community powered entertainment.
We Discuss...
Engineers have a unique view of the world, inherent;y understand technology
Onboarding and Owning digital assets
Term changes Crypto-Blockchain-Web3
Managing legal rights for images on chain
Commonalities between Cameras and Blockchain - both are keepers of truth, capturing a single moment in time
How Blokhaus is Aligning Agency Incentives with Brands Needs
Skip the fluff
Ignore the marketer’s dilemma
Empower people
Avoiding Engagement Ponzis - link to article
Launch of Gojira Labs to bring utility and entertainment to the most popular PFP collections using a proprietary technology called the Animatronic NFT or aNFT. This results is community-powered entertainment
Why art and corporate adoption are BOTH essential to success of a blockchain, through Tezos $XTZ
Chapters
0:00 Mark’s Founding Story
3:37 Engineers vs Consumer Mindset
6:54 Cameras + Blockchain = Truth
18:52 Blokhaus Founding Story and Core Principles
29:59 Guide to Web3 inside Brands
39:11 LAUNCH of Gojira Labs
51:13 Tezos (XTZ) Blockchain’s Unique Position
57:44 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest this week is Chris Miller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-miller-b105b848/ ), CRO and CoFounder of Flaunt.xyz (https://www.linkedin.com/company/flaunt-nft/ ). Chris started from humble beginnings in small-town Indiana, and was inspired by Mad Men and a best friend to move to New York. After 7 years in media and partnerships, Chris and that best friend Connor started what would eventually become Flaunt.xyz, an enterprise loyalty management platform that serves as a single entry point into web3 for brands. We get a behind-the-scenes look at the formation of Flaunt, and the ever-evolving pain points Flaunt solves for its customers using web3 technology. Most of all we hone in on the fact that web3 is not a one-and-done, it is a long term play and can create long term value if executed correctly.
We discuss...
Chris’ big realization that brands were not taking a longterm approach to Web3, not even ROI
The power of collectives to make decisions with real money, and how LinksDAO was Chris’ first introduction to the power of community activation
The biggest problems facing companies trying to enter Web3:
Limited knowledge of Web3 terminology and technologyEmbracing unique characteristics like tradeabilityHow to build and foster a communityHow web3 is really the convergence of digital and physical worlds, and that is not limited to blockchain
Why web3’s success may lead to changing the name of the show
Chapters
Chapters
0:00 Chris’ Founding Story
4:17 ROI - Building Block for Flaunt.xyz
9:51 Chris’ Web3 Inflection Point
17:51 JUMP Community’s Impact
20:36 What is Flaunt.xyz and what problems are they solving?
30:06- Infrastructure for Web3 Strategies
40:55 Biggest problems for proliferating Web3
50:41 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Dan Romero (https://twitter.com/dwr ), CEO and Cofounder of Farcaster (https://twitter.com/farcaster_xyz ), a decentralized social media protocol. Dan was an early employee in 2014 at Coinbase where he lead business development that laid the groundwork for Coinbases fiat rails. He started Farcaster after becoming obsessed with the idea that RSS, the protocol upon which this show and all other podcasts are broadcasted, could be used to compete with twitter. We go deep on how better thinking can result from creating a permissionless protocol that is optimizing feed algorithms for quality of conversation. Also we discuss Dan’s contrarian take on why filter bubbles are actually a good thing. One of the core beliefs for myself and this show is that if we facilitate open and honest discourse it will lead to better decisions and therefore better outcomes for the entire world. After speaking with Dan, I can see how the success of Farcaster could contribute directly to this.
We Discuss:
Read the Bitcoin Whitepaper (https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf ) and you will begin to wonder what could be possible
A journey at Coinbase that started with banks - direct access to payment rails requires the customer of the bank to sell the bank
Taking 1.5 year sabbatical to learn and landing on RSS with now cofounder Varun
What can you do with RSS to make it competitive with Twitter?
Startup vs Scaled Company - selling your product versus selling yourself
The most underrated thing in Silicon Valley - SALES
Taking Paul Graham’s advice on doing things that won’t scale by onboarding the first 400 users himself over zoom then DM to get invite
Stated vs Revealed Preferences as a tactic to build new technology
Twitter’s time algorithm vs Farcaster’s conversation algorithm
Filter Bubbles are OK if done in public
https://www.eugenewei.com/blog/2019/2/19/status-as-a-service
Empowering editorial freedom of choice - nightly news versus newspapers
Chapters
0:00 Dan Romero’s Founding Story
8:17 Startup vs Scaled Companies
16:24 Farcaster 0 to 10,000 to 100,000 Users
27:03 Encouraging High Quality Conversations
40:04 Moderating Extremes
51:52 Subcultures: Choice as an Identity
59:31 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Mike Kanovitz (https://twitter.com/mikekanovitz ), Founder of Jurat (https://twitter.com/JuratNetwork ) a startup with an ambitious goal of bringing legal rights to web3 by connecting courts to the blockchain. Mike is a founding partner at Loevy & Loevy (https://twitter.com/LoevyAndLoevy ), one of the most prominent civil rights litigation firms in the US. After practicing civil rights for 20+ years he had his first crypto consumer protection case, which soon led to the discovery that the world of web3 aligned with the values he was already seeking to enforce. Now he is building a solution to make it possible.
We discuss:
The way courts can provide protection and preserve decentralization, cryptographic security and anonymity
What will it take for Jurat to help web3 become the backbone of commerce?
Adoption turns into regular use - settling tx with JuratMake smart contracts enforceable by connecting ot court systemSuit filed by Jurat to enforce OFAC sanctions on BTC
The use cases for a better global commerce system if law can be enforced on chain
Jurat’s Business Model (https://jurat.io/whitepaper/ ):
Bespoke blockchains with their own tokens - P2P trading through Zabbo (a Jurat app)Licensing to other blockchainsCommercially viable, legally enforceable smart contracts with arbitration support (Arbit3)Chapters
2:05 Mike’s Founding Story
4:16 Jurat’s Founding Story
6:46 Legal Protections w/o Sacrificing Blockchain Value
16:24 How to Help Web3 become the Backbone of Commerce
37:07 A world where blockchain and laws coexist
50:36 Jurat’s Business Model
54:06 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Justin Daniels (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinsdaniels/ ), Head of the Digital Assets Group at Baker Donelson Law Firm. Justin has made a name for himself by spending 20+ years in cybersecurity. He has written a New York Times Best Seller with his wife, Jodi, called Data Reimagined (https://www.amazon.com/Data-Reimagined-Building-Trust-Byte-ebook/dp/B0BDVQ97YQ ) and hosts a podcast called She Said Privacy, He Said Security (https://open.spotify.com/show/5q8B2oYUPajIvmvZiLa4K4 ). We get a comprehensive overview of the current regulatory landscape for blockchain, cybersecurity and privacy. We discuss the competing interests and values of companies, individuals and the state when it comes to security and privacy.
We Discuss:
Cybersecurity as the BIGGEST impediment to mass adoption
Web3’s security problems are no bigger than anywhere else
SEC says hold my beer Web3, everything is a security
Why Justin thinks we need to press the pain to find the use cases
Should brand messaging include safety?
Role of AI and how it affects safety - https://stanforddaily.com/2023/01/22/scores-of-stanford-students-used-chatgpt-on-final-exams-survey-suggests/
Lessons from Axie Infinity Hack
Worshiping convenience and growth can come back to bite youSecurity as a design featureAutonomy’s role in different regulatory regimes, and how much is too much?
Chapters
00:21 Justin’s Cybersecurity and Blockchain Background
4:21 Cybersecurity’s Importance to Our Digital Future
14:29 SEC: Everything’s a Security
18:34 Web3 Use Cases that Work
23:34 Companies Putting Safety First (0)
27:36 Autonomy & AI
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Liz Morrison (https://twitter.com/thelizmorrison ), co-founder of Your Web3 Besties (https://twitter.com/YourWeb3Besties ) media brand. Liz has built amazing expertise in marketing and partnerships over 7+ years. She provides an amazing platform for women and everyone in Web3 on her weekly spaces with Becky Wowo called Girls Night in Web3. We get a masterclass in navigating the various parts of Twitter, how to build the best partnerships and a reminder on why Web3 is so powerful for building lifetime connections.
We discuss:
Twitter’s Subcultures
- Marketing Twitter
- FinTwit/MoneyTwit
- Web3 Twitter
Web3 vs. Web2 Marketing
- Things that have NOT changed - you must understand your customer completely
- Things that HAVE changed - community is in direct communication, you must listen
Ingredients for an Amazing Partnership
- Be strategic about how you spend your time, tiering your partners
- Empathize with your partner
- Be intentional about a go-to-market strategy
- Partnerships are forever, not transactional
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Gary Coover (https://twitter.com/c00v ), COO of Superlayer (https://twitter.com/superlayerio ). Gary started his career as a consultant before going to get his MBA and cofounding a D2C startup. Eventually he ended up in Korea at Samsung, tasked with building out Samsung’s innovation arm called Samsung X. After helping scale that for 8 years, he was bitten by the Web3 bug when he noticed the momentum it was gaining. He joined Kevin Chu and Mahesh Vellanki as COO at Superlayer, a venture studio dedicated to Web3 startups. We discuss many of Gary’s learnings from Fortune 100 to startup venture studio, including the difference between cats and kittens and the importance of having a strong shit umbrella.
We discuss:
How do you build out a venture/innovation arm at a tech behemoth?
Spoiler Alert: mostly takes thick skin and good relationships
Venture Studio vs Incubator/Accelerator vs Venture Capital
2x2 of Funds Deployed and Value ProvidedTradeoffs is ownership as you move between modelsWeb3 as 2 different businesses
1. Product
2. Tokenomics
What does a healthy community look like?
- Aligning incentives in a way that benefits the collective over the individual
- Creating lasting partnerships
The future of Web3 as an industry. Is it more of a building block?
Chapters:
0:00 Gary’s Founding Story
7:52 Creating Samsung X, An Innovation Arm
13:09 Venture Studio vs Accelerator vs Venture Capital
16:49 Why Superlayer? Business + Tokenomics
34:41 Future of Community and NFTs
46:36 Is Web3 a building block or an industry?
56:34 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Diego Borgo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegoborgo/ ), Strategic Advisor to F500 brands on how to enter the Metaverse and Web3. Diego’s lifetime personal brand is clear: one, he is an outsider, having moved 35 times in 33 years; two he is always looking at things differently, and challenging the status quo; and three he aspires to build personal freedom, which goes beyond money, as it is about the freedom to do what he wants when he wants. His career in marketing started at 16 in 2007, where he helped brands like Samsung, Warner Bros and Microsoft understand the world of eSports. He then took those learnings to the client side at Adidas which is where he was introduced to web3. Most recently he has advised brands like Porsche, Salesforce and Shell on web3 strategies. He has a masterclass on bringing brands into the space, and it shows because his thinking is so clear on how to approach legacy brands and introduce web3.
We Discuss:
Why NFTs were the first unlock because he saw the technology as Brand plus Culture.
Why he always advises to follow your natural inclinations, do what feels natural, what feels almost like a magnet - if things are boring then switch it up.
Why echo chambers and group-think always need added perspective. In web3 we only talk about web3 so it can seem like a lot of the same thoughts, but if you go outside to random people they have no idea
How to bring web3 to F500 brands - reverse engineer the WHY by asking 2 questions:
(1)How do you think this will impact your business?
(2)How should we go about doing that?
The answer to these questions comes down to who is your target audience?
Is it a current customer base (non-Web3) or new audience (Web3)?
Porsche and Adidas wanted the Web3 natives, the degens
Shell wants to use NFTs for energy provenance or energy sharing
How do you know where to start with the audience?
-What is your brand strategy? Where do you want to be in 5-10 years?
-Where are you coming in as a consultant? Do they already have a team or are they in the education phase?
Reverse engineering your WHY, is your brand strategy, it is where you want to be in 5-10 years
-This is the ultimate question to determine what web3 strategy to use because if it is not consistent with brand strategy then it is bullshit
-If it does align with brand strategy then we look at the business side, the feasibility, what are some realistic impacts on the business - SPOILER ALERT - it is not always generating more revenue, there are other impacts it could have like loyalty, or CX
When should you not work with a company on web3 strategy?
-When the brand strategy does not align with the business case in a way that is realistic and consistent with web3 values
Current trends are look to current strategies like loyalty and membership, and using web3 as a way to make them stronger in the long run
Building belief inside an org
(1) Learn as a collective: (a) Create a way for the team to interact - POAP for a meeting; (b) Create a way for the team to see their customers interact - POAP for an event
(2) Look at the data: (a) what does their intent data (wallet data) say, how can we adjust strategy based on that data
What happens to the experience for a person as a consumer and as an employee when all of their interactions across websites and IRL are connected by a digital wallet?
Why brand is culture and culture is brand, and what happens when technology intersects that is when there will be a revolution
Three Levels of Partnerships
(1)Project-based - PFPs, Communities or Artists - align values
(2)Technology -...
-
Welcome to a special episode with previous guest, Brian Zwerner (https://twitter.com/BrianZwerner ), and relevant to this episode is his nonprofit venture studio aimed at help diverse founders called W3 Studiio (https://twitter.com/w3studioatl ). For more on Brian’s work outside of W3 Studio check out Episode 18: Web3 COnsumer and Entertainment Investing (https://youtu.be/NOL_Gn6RQyI ).
We go deep on the personal and professional motivations driving the founding of W3 Studio, for both Brian and myself as a strategic advisor. One of those reasons is the amazing environment for diverse tech talent here in Atlanta. Hope you enjoy the episode and please reach out if you have any questions.
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Sean Judge (https://twitter.com/seanjudgeciv ), general partner at Castle Island Ventures (https://twitter.com/CastleIslandVC ). Sean has been investing since he started working in 2011. He was fortunate to take a wide lens approach early on in his career and narrowed over time until he ultimately landed in the Web3 early stage venture space. He is partnered with some amazing minds as Castle Island, and aspires to build a generational VC firm. He takes us through the mega trends they invest in and why the future for this space is bright.
First receiving ICO offers at Highland Capital Partners from companies started by major talent but no revenue and a white paper to meeting Matt Walsh while he was at Fidelity and putting a personal check in Castle Island
We Discuss...
2023 Outlook
-Proof of Reserves with Exchanges
-Stablecoins
-From 555 Seed and Series A deals in 2019-20 to 1400 in 2022
-People are still leaving comfortable full-time jobs because of the promise of Web3
How to Survive a Bear
-Seed or Series A check to last closer to 36 month rather than 18
-Plan for the best (rebound mid-2023), Prepare for the worst (2-2.5 yr bear)
-Big consumer brands are still moving forward so lean into Sales and Marketing
-If your audience are crypto-native then focus on making your product as sticky as possible
Pick and Shovels Business following 3 megatrends:
Monetary Networks - custodians, data analytics, compliance softwareDeFi - decentralized focus on all aspects of traditional financeConsumer/Web3 - sovereignty over dataChapters:
00:00-10:50 Founding Story
10:50-14:19 Outlook for the Space in 2023
14:20-19:37 VC advice to Survive a Bear Market
19:38-24:30 Role of Decentralization in Web3 Startups and Investing
24:31-29:36 Crypto-Native Portfolio Breakdown and Outlook
29:37-44:20 What is the Future of DeFi and Enterprise Blockchain?
44:21-51:40 Consumer Side of Web3 in 2023
51:41-57:26 Closing Questions
Thanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Ian Andrews (https://twitter.com/IanAndrewsDC), Chief Marketing Officer at Chainalysis (https://twitter.com/chainalysis). As CMO of Chainalysis he is helping scale the company to enable governments and financial organizations to safely adopt cryptocurrency. He is also the host of the Public Key podcast, where he sits down with thought leaders in the space to discuss:
▪Emerging risks and opportunities in blockchain technology
▪How policymakers around the world are approaching cryptoregulations
▪Data-driven insights into the latest trends in crypto economics and crime.
▪Breaking news in the crypto market
Previous to Chainalysis, he ran marketing at Tanzu, the modern apps portfolio at VMware. Before that he was CMO at Pivotal from launch in 2013 to IPO in 2018 to acquisition by VMware in 2019 for $2.7 Billion. Ian is one of my most accomplished guests, and more importantly communicates so clearly the current state of the Web3 ecosystem and where we need to go to move it forward.
We Discuss...
Ian’s first role in tech in 2000 as the dotcom bubble burstWhy Ian thinks we are all in marketing (hint: life is about driving narratives)Why Crypto/Web3 must evolve to be a combination of the original vision and its practical use casesTracers in the Dark, Andy Greenberg - https://www.amazon.com/Tracers-Dark-Global-Crime-Cryptocurrency/dp/0385548095We are entering an era of what blockchain technology can DO, not what it ISTo get there requires dual-face (redundancy of onchain and offchain activity)The reality of incrementalism in technology, about 50% of compute is still not run on cloudPublic Opinion of Criminal Activity in Web3 vs RealityThe Reality of Autonomy and Personal Agency - Usability and Convenience WinsThat doesn’t mean companies get to only worry about UX hereWeb3 is as much about making better use of our identity as it is about ownershipThe regulatory environment and why we need to embrace it, not fight itThanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Diana Richter (https://twitter.com/dianarichterh), Head of Marketing and Brand at ConsenSys Mesh (https://twitter.com/consensysmesh), the original organization created to proliferate ETH and the broader blockchain ecosystem. Diana takes us through her 15 year career as a marketer, and the experiences building partnerships and communities that landed her in Web3. We get a masterclass on the current state of Web3 marketing, and the importance of the balance between maxi’s and mass adoption.
We Discuss...
The building blocks that lead Diana to be a successful head of marketing in Web3
Understanding use cases for countries outside USpartnerships, partnerships, partnerships starting at William MorrisUnderstanding consumers through venture backed D2C brands3 Goals for Partnerships
Credibility and TrustAdoption and Customer AcquisitionRevenueDiana’s Favorite NFT Brands
ArtblocksDoodlesFrom art history major to consulting on an NFT project for Mesh
Why ConsensysMesh and why Web3?
No more physical productExhausted by VC expectations diluting brands because of emphasis on top line growthWanted to promote awareness and education, without geographic bordersIntellectual stimulation and expansion requiredExtending beyond Weekly or Daily Revenue MetricsConsulting gig as dating, to get to know each otherMesh was a place surrounded by buildooorsCurrent State Web3 Marketing
Overarching theme is immaturity From a complete lack of knowledge on how to work with marketing team to how to set a marketing budget to team structureTime + Resources + Effort = Goals of Company?Performance Marketing (Growth) vs. Brand Marketing (Partnerships + Community)Tunnel vision creating too much brand similarityEvents+Content OVER PartnershipsThanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
-
My guest today is Ash Egan (https://twitter.com/AshAEgan), founder of Archetype (https://twitter.com/archetypevc). He is a true crypto-native investor, having led early investments in Chainalysis, Near, and Balancer. He also led Accomplice's investments in Dapper Labs/Flow, and Bison Trails, which was acquired by Coinbase. We get a clear glimpse into the shift in investing in the space, from FOMO-fueled investing during the bull market to taking the longterm view in our current bear market. We also take a deep dive into how web3 is shaking up the music industry.
We Discuss...
A framework for Tokens vs Equity:
Highly regulated, core, infrastructure = equityHighly decentralized, network, collective, protocols = tokensWhere does value accrue?The difficulties of decentralizing at the outset
Hard to get anything accomplishedHard to stick to a singular visionOnly true decentralization has occurred over years with ETH and BTCTop-down investing vs. Grass-roots initiatives
Finding optionality for core needsUnderstanding problem sets from first principlesFamiliar UXWhat is the Impact of Web3?
Removing gatekeepersSelf-custody assetsLending/BorrowingOpenness, transparency, and programmabilityThe future of music in Web3
Streamlining of the various offerings from record labelsCuration becomes a professions to compete with added discoverabilityWe make our own Top 40 that we ownThanks for listening! Did you know you can also watch the show on YouTube? Just hit the link below and don't forget to subscribe!
Web3 w/ Me - YouTube
- Show more
