In this episode of Overnight Success, I sit down with Sheldon Hunt, a founding member of EMURGO—one of Cardano’s original entities. We unpack the philosophical and technical rifts between Ethereum and Cardano, trace the evolution from Bitcoin to Ethereum to Cardano, and dive deep into what true decentralization really looks like—especially in Cardano’s approach to governance.
If you’ve ever wondered:
What really happened when Vitalik pitched Ethereum in Hong Kong
What it takes for blockchains to handle trillions on-chain
Why scarcity matters (and why Ethereum doesn’t have it)
—then this episode is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps
[00:00] – Introduction: Who is Sheldon Hunt & EMURGO’s role in Cardano
[00:42] – Vitalik’s original Ethereum pitch in Hong Kong
[01:53] – Scarcity wars: Why Cardano caps supply and Ethereum doesn’t
[02:40] – Ethereum’s nonprofit roots vs. Charles Hoskinson’s business-first vision
[03:30] – Cardano’s community-first design and token distribution
[04:25] – Intersect and the shift to decentralized governance
[05:20] – The risks of handing over $30B in infrastructure to “the mob”
[06:10] – Balancing privacy and mass adoption: Midnight chain + real-world use cases
[07:25] – Why Cardano has never gone down (and why it matters)
[08:20] – Final thoughts: Security, uptime, and building for trillions on-chain
About Our Guest
Sheldon Hunt was part of the founding team at EMURGO—one of Cardano’s three core entities alongside IOG and the Cardano Foundation. Today, he’s building Sundial Protocol, a Layer 2 solution bringing programmability to Bitcoin by bridging it with Cardano. The focus: secure, decentralized, cross-chain interoperability between BTC and ADA.
Resources Mentioned:
Cardano [https://cardano.org/]
Sundial Protocol [https://www.sundialprotocol.com/]
EMURGO Website [https://www.emurgo.io/]
Cardano Foundation [https://cardanofoundation.org/]
Midnight Privacy Chain [https://midnight.network/]
Intersect: Cardano’s Member-Based Org [https://www.intersectmbo.org/]
Today, I sit down with Esther Wong — Founding Partner @ 3C AGI Partners and former Managing Director at SenseTime.In this conversation, we discuss why AI inferencing could break the grid, the global race for sustainable AI infrastructure, and why DeepSeek completely enabled the rest of the world to catch up in the AI race.If you ever wondered about:• Why AI infrastructure — not applications — is the real opportunity• How unsustainable our electricity usage is if everyone uses AI daily• Why AI models, chips, and data centers must all evolve to scale• And how a 90% pay cut to join a startup could be the best decision of your life— this one’s for you.Episode Highlights with Timestamps[00:00] Esther’s career risk: Green card fears and career advice that changed everything[01:20] Co-founding SenseTime: Raising $6B+ and building China’s largest AI platform[03:00] Betting on a ground-up, proprietary AI vision while pregnant — and taking a 90% pay cut[04:30] Lessons from startup life: Why 2 years in a startup taught more than 20 years in banking[05:50] The coming electricity crisis: Why inferencing will overwhelm today's grid[07:10] What is “sustainable AI”? — 4 buckets for making AI viable long-term[09:00] Why Esther is backing AI infrastructure over applicationsAbout Our GuestEsther Wong is the founder and CEO of 3C AGI Partners, a venture firm focused on global AI opportunities. She was a founding member of SenseTime, where she led capital markets and helped raise over $5B. With 20+ years in finance, she’s held senior roles at Cazenove, CICC, Barclays, and Bocom. Esther holds an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth and serves on youth development boards in Hong Kong.Resources & Links MentionedEsther’s LinkedIn [ / esther-wong-76a6a410a ] 3C AGI Partners Linkedin [ / 3cagi ] 3C AGI Partners Website [https://3cagi.vc/]
Today, I sit down with Gabby Dizon, co-founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG).We talk about Gabby’s journey from building the first games in the Philippines to pioneering the concept of play-to-earn and Web3 gaming. Gabby shares the early days of Web3 gaming, how AI and decentralized work models are converging, and why starting with community-first was essential for YGG’s growth.We also discuss the challenges of building a web3 company during crypto cycles, crypto Twitter, and the future of online on-chain work opportunities in emerging economies.If you're interested in the intersection of gaming, blockchain, and the future of work, this episode is a must-listen.Episode Highlights with Timestamps[00:00] Live from Hong Kong — Introducing Gabby Dizon (Yield Guild Games)[01:00] Early passion for technology, gaming, and entrepreneurship in the Philippines[02:15] Discovering Ethereum in 2017 — programmable economies for games[03:30] From CryptoKitties to NFTs — realizing the future of in-game assets[04:45] How Play-to-Earn was invented by the Axie Infinity community[06:00] Building Yield Guild Games — community-market fit and scaling challenges[07:30] The double-edged sword of early liquidity in crypto startups[08:45] Future of Work — expanding YGG beyond gaming into decentralized tasks[10:00] Why on-chain work and community ownership will transform emerging marketsAbout Our GuestGabby Dizon is the co-founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG), the world's largest Web3 gaming guild. A pioneer of play-to-earn gaming, Gabby is passionate about the intersection of community, gaming, and blockchain. He is also an active investor in the decentralized gaming ecosystem and a strong advocate for creating online and on-chain earning opportunities for communities across Southeast Asia, Latin America, and beyond.Resources & Links MentionedGabby Dizon's Twitter [https://x.com/gabusch]Yield Guild Games [https://yieldguild.io/]Axie Infinity [https://axieinfinity.com/] CryptoKitties [https://www.cryptokitties.co/]
Episode Summary
In this episode, we sit down with Frank Mong to unpack the rise of Helium and what it means to decentralize wireless infrastructure. Frank shares the origin story of Helium, what it took to scale during the crypto boom, building open-source hardware, what it means to truly own infrastructure, and how crypto can be the foundation for everyday consumer experiences—even if they don’t know it.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps
[00:00] Podcast intro – Frank Mong on scaling Helium
[00:42] Discovering Helium through Khosla Ventures
[01:27] The unexpected job interview that turned into a partnership
[02:14] Why honesty—not IoT expertise—landed Frank the role
[02:54] Lessons from corporate life: stock options, politics & promotion
[03:39] The original Helium mission: cheap, global IoT connectivity
[04:11] 450,000 daily phones, 70K hotspots & 40TB+ daily data
[04:50] Vision: flipping the $9T mobile industry to be owned by the people
[05:18] Sales advice for technical founders—there’s no magic, just empathy
[06:02] Why knowing your audience is the most underrated skill
[07:00] The hustle mindset: “this is our year or we’re done”
About Our Guest
Frank Mong is the COO of Helium, a decentralized wireless network that aims to replace traditional telcos with community-built infrastructure. With over two decades in cybersecurity and enterprise tech, Frank now leads Helium’s mission to democratize mobile infrastructure—starting with IoT and now cellular. Previously, he held leadership roles at companies like Palo Alto Networks and Hortonworks.
Resources & Links Mentioned
Frank’s Twitter [https://x.com/fmong]
Frank’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankmong/]
Helium’s Twitter [https://x.com/helium]
Helium’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/heliumnetwork/]
Helium’s Website [https://www.helium.com/]
In this episode, we sit down with Clara Tsao—entrepreneur, former CTO of the US department of Homeland Security, and founding officer of the Filecoin Foundation. Clara dives deep into the role of decentralized storage in preserving critical data, from archiving freedom of information requests to combating link rot. We talk about AI, attribution, and how decentralized infrastructure can help creators and institutions alike build a more transparent internet. This one’s for the builders who care about transparency, digital preservation, and building a better internet from the ground up.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps
[00:00] Intro — Clara’s family roots and uploading her grandmother’s music to Filecoin
[08:00] From tech policy to crypto: The early days
[16:00] Joining the U.S. government and working on election security
[21:00] Why decentralized storage matters: link rot, public archives, and global data access
[32:00] Use cases in war zones and journalism — capturing truth [34:00] Attribution, cold cases, and surfacing lost information with AI [55:00] How to get started building on Filecoin & grants available [56:30] Final thoughts — why great talent flocks to decentralized infrastructure
About Our Guest
Clara Tsao is a founding officer at the Filecoin Foundation and former Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A longtime advocate for a safer and more open internet, Clara has co-founded the Trust & Safety Professional Association, advised global initiatives like Tech Against Terrorism, and worked with Mozilla on emerging tech policy. Her work sits at the intersection of digital rights, open data, and decentralized technology.
Resources & Links Mentioned
Clara’s Twitter [https://x.com/tweetclarita]
Clara’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claratsao/]
Filecoin Twitter [https://x.com/filecoin]
Filecoin Foundation Twitter [https://x.com/filfoundation]
Filecoin Foundation Website [https://fil.org/] IPFS
Today, I sit down with Ryan Kim, Founding Partner at Hashed, one of the most influential Web3 venture firms in Korea and Asia. With deep roots in the early days of crypto and a front-row seat to the growth of the Asian blockchain ecosystem, Ryan shares unique insights into how the Korean Web3 landscape has evolved—both culturally and technically—and what founders need to understand to succeed in this market. We explore how Hashed grew from a group of early crypto believers into a globally recognized venture fund, and how Korea became a critical node in the Web3 world. From regulatory nuances to shifting consumer behaviors, Ryan unpacks the dynamics shaping the next chapter of decentralized innovation across Asia.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
[00:00] Childhood Mathematics & Working in big data companies.
[03:49] Getting started in web3
[06:24] David vs Goliath: Web3/Open Source vs Big Tech.[08:54] Venture Syndicates. HODL.
[11:29] Kimchi Premium. How Hashed became the #1 platform in South Korea.
[15:27] The Hashed team. How they support web3 startup founders.
[19:10] The Korean Web3 market. Riding the bear & bull waves.
About Our Guest
Ryan Kim is the Founding Partner of Hashed, a globally recognized Web3 venture fund. What started as a personal experiment in crypto soon grew into a deep belief in the power of decentralization and community-led innovation. That conviction became the foundation for Hashed—a fund dedicated to backing visionary founders in Korea and across the global Web3 ecosystem.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Today, I sit down with Yat Siu, founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands—one of the driving forces behind Web3 gaming and digital property rights. We trace Yat’s journey from hacking together 3D software with ex-Atari developers, to launching some of Asia’s first ISPs and now ultimately defining the future of blockchain-based gaming with Animoca Brands. Yat unpacks the waves of innovation he’s lived through—dotcom busts, pandemics, mobile booms—and the lessons that shaped his vision for Animoca Brands. We dive into the philosophy of digital ownership, the fight for user rights in the internet age, and why Web3 isn’t just about technology—it’s a movement.If you want to understand the roots of Web3 and Animoca Brands' origin story, this episode is for you.
About Our Guest
Yat Siu is the founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, a global leader in Web3 gaming and digital property rights. Animoca Brands is pioneering the use of blockchain technology to empower users with true ownership of digital assets, driving innovation across gaming, culture, and finance. Through investments in projects like The Sandbox, Axie Infinity, and OpenSea, Animoca has become a key architect of the open metaverse.
Before founding Animoca Brands, Yat was a tech entrepreneur who helped build some of Asia’s earliest Internet ventures, including Hong Kong Online and Outblaze. With deep roots in software, gaming, and internet infrastructure, Yat is a passionate advocate for digital freedom, financial literacy, and the belief that users—not platforms—should own the future of the internet.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
[00:00] Overnight Success: Intro
[01:00] Childhood entrepreneurial influences: Compuserve, living in Austria & Hong Kong, extreme communism vs extreme capitalism.
[03:37] Atari’s heyday, losing the gaming wars and building his first business with ex-Atari team members.
[10:41] Finding product market fit in the 90s. Building ISPs (Hong Kong Online), ASPs (Outblaze)
[15:21] Surviving the dotcom downturn, building on Linux, selling in Asia vs the West.
[18:25] Biggest learnings: growing a business during SARS, dealing with blackmail and the importance of staying true to your principles as a founder.
[23:06] Building Animoca brands, the boom of mobile game development and getting deplatformed
[28:12] The opportunity in Web3, NFTs and becoming an early investor in Web3 projects.
[31:46] Web3 “aha moment”: Challenging the dominance of internet conglomerates
[34:30] The philosophy behind Web3 - digital capitalism, digital property rights, financial literacy
[41:30] Crypto X Politics
[44:24] Web3 meets AI: attribution for original work, building into the network.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Today, I sit down with Muneeb Ali, co-creator of Stacks and a pioneer in the Bitcoin Layer 2 space. In this episode, we explore Muneeb’s journey from academia and deep computer science research to building one of the most critical infrastructures in Bitcoin's evolving ecosystem.We explore how Stacks brings scalability and programmability to Bitcoin through a secure Layer 2. Muneeb breaks down building on Bitcoin—from early projects like BNS to Ordinals, inscriptions, and the rise of Bitcoin-native NFTs and DeFi.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro: Welcome to Overnight Success
[00:38] Origins story: Commercializing research, hardcore computer science & Startups
[07:30] Web3 ‘Aha moment’ - getting into decentralization
[09:37] Building Stacks: the thesis behind Stacks & the problems of Bitcoin Layer1
[12:11] Breaking down how building on Bitcoin works - Inscriptions, NFTs & the future of dApps
[17:08] Growing Stacks
[19:31] The future of the Bitcoin community. BTC vs ETH, Riding bear-bull markets, the challenges of scaling BTC.
About Our Guest
Muneeb Ali is the co-creator of Stacks, a Bitcoin Layer 2 platform designed to bring smart contracts and decentralized applications to Bitcoin while preserving its security and decentralization. With a background in computer science and a PhD from Princeton, Muneeb has been at the forefront of Web3 infrastructure, pioneering ways to unlock Bitcoin’s full potential.
Before Stacks, Muneeb worked on early decentralized identity and naming systems like BNS (Bitcoin Name System), laying the groundwork for programmable layers on Bitcoin. His mission is to build a user-owned internet on the most secure blockchain in the world, making Bitcoin not just a store of value but a foundation for a new generation of apps, DeFi, and digital ownership.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Today, I sit down with Sandy Carter, COO of Unstoppable Domains, a leader in the decentralized identity space. In this episode, Sandy shares learnings from over 2 decades of being a high level operator at IBM, AWS and Unstoppable domains.We also dive into the growing opportunities for decentralized identity, the role of NFTs in this new paradigm, and how Unstoppable Domains is enabling the future of Web3 through partnerships and innovation. Sandy also shares her passion for diversity in tech and how she's working to empower more women in the Web3 space.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
[00:00] Sandy’s entrepreneurial origin story
[03:54] Duke & Harvard: The importance of schooling
[06:27] Takeaways from IBM - why it’s the best management school.
[09:11] Amazon’s high-performance culture
[13:55] Extracurricular community support - the importance of diversity
[16:49] Web3 aha moment
[20:29] Building unstoppable domains as part of the early team
[22:51] Why blockchain changes lives
[26:28] Building in a Web2 X Web3 world
About our guest
Sandy Carter is the COO and Head of Business Development at Unstoppable Domains, a company focused on building digital identity for the decentralized web. She’s played a key role in forming over 900 partnerships to help bring traditional companies and communities into the Web3 ecosystem.
Before Unstoppable Domains, Sandy held leadership roles at AWS and IBM, working across emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. She also founded Unstoppable Women of Web3, sits on several advisory boards, and is a bestselling author and frequent speaker on tech and innovation. Her work has earned her multiple industry awards, and she holds degrees from Duke and Harvard.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Today, I sit down with Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming platform. In this episode, we dive into the evolution of The Sandbox and why digital ownership is redefining the gaming industry.We discuss the challenges of building an open metaverse, the role of NFTs in empowering creators, and how blockchain is shaping the future of virtual economies. Sebastien also shares insights on interoperability, user-generated content, and the vision for a more decentralized and player-driven internet.If you're curious about the future of gaming, Web3, and the open metaverse, this one’s for you.
About Our Guest
Sebastien Borget is the co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming platform that empowers creators to build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences using blockchain technology. The Sandbox is a virtual world where users can create, trade, and engage in immersive experiences powered by NFTs and the metaverse.
Prior to The Sandbox, Sebastien co-founded Pixowl, a mobile game development studio known for titles like The Sandbox Evolution and Goosebumps HorrorTown. His experience in gaming, blockchain, and digital ownership has positioned him as a key advocate for the open metaverse, where users have control over their digital assets and creative experiences.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Episode Highlights & Timestamps
[00:00] Sebastien’s entrepreneurial origin story
[02:48] Getting acquired by Animoca Brands
[03:37] Building a better experience for builders in Web3 & the metaverse
[05:58] Why major brands and IPs succeed in the gaming industry
[07:49] Convincing major IPs to lean into user-generated content & Web3
[11:30] Why competing IPs want to exist side by side in the metaverse
[12:50] Educating brands on NFT technology as a communication tool
[17:05] Transitioning to Web3
[19:58] What’s next for The Sandbox
Today, I sit down with Greg Osuri, founder and CEO of Overclock Labs - the creators of Akash Network. In this episode, we explore the origins of Akash Network and why decentralizing cloud computing is more important than ever. We discuss the limitations of centralized cloud providers, the role of blockchain in creating open and censorship-resistant systems, and how tokens can sustain open-source projects. We also break down the layers of decentralized networks, the future of DePIN, and the realities of Decentralized Machine Learning (DML).If you're interested in the intersection of AI, blockchain, and cloud computing, this one’s for you.
Episode Notes
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
About Our Guest
Greg Osuri is the founder and CEO of Overclock Labs, the creators of Akash Network. Him and his team are building Akash Network, a P2P marketplace for cloud computing - creating a decentralized cloud computing network.
Prior to Akash Network, Osuri founded AnglelHack, a developer community platform, and Gridbag, a data management company. These ventures provided him with experience in building technology platforms and addressing challenges in data, computing and developer experience.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
About Our Guest
Nikita operates two Web3 businesses: She is the Founder & Chief Business Officer of Ekoios Technology (EkoTek ) a leading blockchain and AI consulting and services company in the Asia-Pacific region. Secondly, she is the Co-founder and CEO of NFTify, a no-code platform that enables businesses and creators to establish customizable NFT marketplaces without extensive coding knowledge.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
About Our Guest
Tal Zackon is the co-founder and CEO of Tres Finance, a Web3 financial data platform that simplifies crypto financial operations for businesses. Before founding Tres Finance, Tal gained valuable experience as a Principal at F2 Venture Capital and General Manager at SigmaLabs Accelerator. These roles gave him deep insights into the challenges startups face, especially in managing financial data.
His expertise in venture capital and startup acceleration has been instrumental in Tres Finance’s rapid growth. The company has secured over $18 million in funding and driven innovations like the Financial Data Lake (FDL), which integrates data from both traditional banks and digital asset platforms.
About TRES Finance
TRES Finance is a cutting-edge financial technology company revolutionizing how organizations manage Web3 financial workflows. Their platform acts as an enterprise-grade financial data lake, enabling teams to seamlessly handle processes like reconciliation, balance calculations, audit preparation, and reporting for digital assets.
Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, TRES Finance has raised $18.6 million to date, including an $11 million Series A round in December 2023. Their robust platform supports CFOs, treasury teams, DeFi analysts, and executives by providing 100% asset visibility, onboarding on-chain and CeFi data sources within hours, and ensuring data integrity across operations.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Follow and stay up to date with Tal Zackon:
LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/talzackon/]
Twitter/X [https://x.com/TalZackon]
Learn more about TRES Finance:
Website [https://tres.finance/]
LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tresfinance/]
Twitter [https://x.com/TresDotFinance]
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
About Our Guest
Cory Hymel is a seasoned technologist and innovator with a track record of building and scaling impactful tech solutions. He started his journey in computer science, creating Xbox games and riding the wave of iOS mobile app development, before making his mark in the startup world.
Cory spent pivotal years at Gigster, where he spearheaded the company’s Web3 initiatives, growing the vertical from zero to 18% of the company’s annual revenue. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in exploring how emerging technologies like blockchain and AI can drive innovation and solve real-world problems.
Beyond his work at Gigster, Cory is a thought leader in blockchain, AI, and the future of digital ownership. He regularly shares insights on how these technologies intersect and shape industries, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the tech space.
About Gigster
Gigster is a technology company that connects businesses with world-class software development teams to create custom applications at scale. By blending automation and an extensive network of talented developers, Gigster simplifies the process of building high-quality software solutions.
Known for their ability to rapidly deliver innovative projects, Gigster has helped startups and enterprises transform ideas into reality. With a strong emphasis on emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, Gigster has positioned itself as a leader in enabling businesses to stay competitive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Gigster
Website [https://www.gigster.com/]
Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gigster/]
Follow and stay connected with Cory Hymel
Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-hymel/]
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
About Our Guest
Firdosh Sheikh is the CEO and co-founder of DRIFE, a decentralized ride-hailing platform leveraging blockchain technology to empower both drivers and riders. With a background in Chartered Accountancy, she transitioned into the startup world, bringing her business acumen to disrupt traditional industries.
Under her leadership, DRIFE has expanded its operations to Dubai and India, aiming to revolutionize the ride-hailing industry by offering a more transparent, equitable, and sustainable model.
About DRIFE
DRIFE is a decentralized ride-hailing platform built on blockchain principles, aiming to empower both riders and drivers by eliminating intermediaries and providing better ownership and incentives.
DRIFE operates on a zero-commission model, giving drivers 100% of the fare while offering affordable rides. The platform uses an auction-based pricing model, letting drivers and riders set fair prices based on supply and demand. DRIFE's $DRF token ensures secure transactions and drives loyalty and incentives.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
About Our Guest
With a background in law and technology, Yael Tamar has become a leader in blockchain innovation, empowering asset owners to tokenize real estate and democratize investment. Under her leadership, SolidBlock successfully tokenized major properties. She’s passionate about blockchain adoption and is now expanding her technology to tokenize assets beyond real estate.
Since the recording of this podcast she has now expanded her technology to tokenize assets beyond real estate. Yael is currently building DIBS, a multi-broker network for the secondary market of private company shares, offering secure, transparent, and compliant Web3-powered transactions.
About SolidBlock
SolidBlock provides an all-in-one platform that enables asset owners to easily tokenize their real estate holdings. This process breaks assets into digital shares, allowing investors to trade them.
They made history by tokenizing the world’s first commercial property in Aspen, Colorado, raising $18M for the renowned St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Now, SolidBlock is partnering with real estate projects globally and working to grow their network by collaborating with real estate companies, municipal projects, and investors.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
About Our Guest
Matt Wurst is the CMO at Genuin, a platform focused on creating a comprehensive network for brands, creators, and consumers. With extensive experience in both in-house and agency roles, Matt has collaborated with organizations like the NBA, revelation (acquired by Jellyfish), 360i and Mint.
Matt’s journey into Web3 began with the desire to return digital ownership to creators and consumers, away from corporate control. Passionate about the intersection of AI and Web3, Matt explores how these technologies are reshaping marketing, communities, and the creative process.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
About Our Guest
Matt Alston is the co-founder of Bonfire, a groundbreaking platform designed to empower creators and communities in the Web3 ecosystem. With a background spanning technology, finance, and entrepreneurship, Matt has worked at leading organizations like Goldman Sachs and Uber, gaining invaluable experience in high-growth and innovative environments.
Matt’s journey into Web3 began with a fascination for NFTs and their potential to revolutionize creator economies. Passionate about helping brands and creators build direct and meaningful relationships with their audiences, Matt and co-founder Mel at Bonfire are redefining how creators engage with their superfans through blockchain technology.
About Bonfire
Bonfire is a Web3-native platform that enables creators and communities to own their relationships with their superfans. By providing tools to launch and manage custom experiences on the blockchain, Bonfire empowers creators to break free from the limitations of traditional Web2 platforms.
Focused on delivering scalable and accessible solutions, Bonfire allows creators to build token-gated communities, reward superfans, and foster genuine connections. With a mission to transform transactional relationships into ones rooted in loyalty and engagement, Bonfire is at the forefront of Web3 innovation, reshaping the future of creator economies.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
About Our Guest
Masha is the former Head of Marketing & Communications at Rarible. She was the first marketing employee at Rarible and helped the team shape their roadmap and understanding on how to manage all things marketing. PR, social media, community growth, events and more. During her time she was able to drive the strategy which grew Rarible’s owned channels to over 1 million followers.
Since the recording of this podcast, Masha is now continuing to build her Web3 Marketing consultancy at It Takes Two.
About Rarible
Rarible.com is a decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It allows users to mint their own NFTs without requiring coding knowledge, enabling artists, creators, and collectors to trade digital assets such as art, music, domain names, and collectibles.
Built on blockchain technology, Rarible supports multiple networks like Ethereum, Tezos, and Polygon, offering users flexibility in choosing their preferred platform. The platform emphasizes user governance, allowing participants to vote on platform upgrades and decisions through its native cryptocurrency, $RARI.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
About Our Guest
Lars Seier Christensen is the co-founder and former CEO of Saxo Bank, a pioneer in online trading and investment platforms. Under his leadership, Saxo Bank became a global fintech powerhouse, serving clients in over 170 countries.
In addition to his success at Saxo Bank, Lars is a prominent investor, entrepreneur, and advocate for blockchain technology. He is the founder and chairman of Concordium, a leading blockchain platform that emphasizes user privacy, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
Since stepping away from Saxo Bank, Lars has focused on building ventures across finance, technology, and hospitality, solidifying his reputation as a visionary leader with a passion for innovation and community building.
About Concordium
Concordium is a public, proof-of-stake blockchain designed to balance privacy and accountability. With a unique identity layer, it ensures that users can maintain their anonymity while still being able to prove their identity if necessary.
The platform is built with businesses and developers in mind, offering fast transactions, low costs, and interoperability. By combining cutting-edge technology with a strong focus on compliance, Concordium paves the way for blockchain adoption in industries requiring regulatory alignment, such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Follow and stay up to date with Lars Seier Christensen:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU