In this episode, Lorenzo shares his inspiring journey from his early days with Arquimia in Spain to becoming a pivotal figure in Miami's burgeoning tech & crypto landscape.

We discuss the nuances of succeeding as a founder in Web3, and the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and community-building. Lorenzo's journey illustrates the shift from Web2 to Web3, providing listeners with a roadmap for building Web3 companies that last. Lorenzo offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in crypto.

Episode Outline and Highlights

[00:03] Lorenzo's Story

• Discover Lorenzo's early tech days with Arquimia in Spain
• His big move to Miami and work with Rokk3r
• How he helped incubate over 50 ventures
• The Web3 Chapter

[14:11] Essential Traits for Startup Success

• Finding the right balance between talent and perseverance
• Why humility and continuous idea validation matter
• The mindset of questioning and evolving ideas for success in entrepreneurship

[24:14] Leadership for Founders

• The hurdles in moving from IC to leadership
• How the entrepreneur is like a chef
• The importance of operational leadership and the potential need for a COO

[34:56] Building Strategic Assets for Startups

• Spotting and addressing skill gaps early
• The value of building networks and communities before product development
• Learning from others’ mistakes and planning strategically for success

[40:03] Success Factors in Startup Ecosystems

• How accelerators help shape successful startups
• Learning from successful entrepreneurs and using feedback effectively
• The impact of timing and luck in Web3
• Benefits of a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem

[51:57] Shifting from Web2 to Web3

• Key differences between Web2 and Web3 founders
• Assessing genuine blockchain technology applications
• Moving from hype-driven projects to meaningful blockchain applications

Leadership in Web3

Lorenzo emphasizes that transitioning from Web3 to Web3 requires a new set of leadership skills. This includes not only understanding the technological nuances but also fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within teams. Lorenzo’s insights underscore the need for Web3 startups to be led by visionaries who can guide their teams through the fog of uncertainty while staying focused on producing real value.

Building a Sustainable Startup Ecosystem

Lorenzo also sheds light on the importance of cultivating a robust startup ecosystem, particularly in the realm of blockchain technology. He argues that successful ecosystems are built on the foundation of strong networks, community engagement, and a willingness to share knowledge and resources. Accelerators and incubators play a critical role in this process, offering not just funding but mentorship and strategic guidance.

Lorenzo points out that while timing and luck are factors in a startup’s success, being part of a supportive ecosystem can significantly enhance a startup’s chances of thriving. By learning from past successes and failures within the community, entrepreneurs can better navigate the challenges of the Web3 landscape and create lasting impact.

What if your company’s greatest asset and biggest challenge were the same thing?

Join me on the Blockchain Startup Show as I welcome Nelson Lopez, founder of DeWe and former Global Head of People at Gate.io.

Nelson shares his journey into the crypto space, driven by his passion for decentralization, and offers a treasure trove of insights on how to build and manage Web3 startups. From scaling teams to navigating tough people conversations, Nelson's dual role in managing HR processes and operations across various global regions provides an unmatched perspective on the intricacies of complex organizational challenges.

Nelson sheds light on the archetypes within Web3 communities and how to manage them accordingly. Hear about the significant transformation of HR and recruiting from administrative to operational and GTM functions, and why modern recruiting requires a shift from traditional methods to technology-driven processes. Nelson also emphasizes the importance of employer branding and effective onboarding in retaining the best people, a must-know for founders and leaders aiming to build successful teams.

Think retention is always the right strategy? Nelson challenges conventional wisdom by exploring the nuances of employee retention and turnover. Discover the importance of aligning candidates' motivations with job roles and the challenges of navigating the unpredictable talent market. We also touch on the impact of AI on job structures and the necessity of taking action amidst regulatory uncertainties.

This is a great opportunity for early-stage founders to learn critical management, regulatory and scaling lessons pulled from larger, more established organizations.

[00:03] Introduction to Nelson Lopez and His Career in Web3 HR

• Overview of Nelson's extensive experience in HR and operations at Gate.io
• Founding DeWe and advising startups and VCs on HR strategies
• Nelson's journey into the crypto space and his passion for decentralization

[09:53] Understanding Web3 Team Archetypes and Scaling Challenges

• Exploration of different archetypes within Web3 teams: "hippies", the money motivated, and libertarian types
• Challenges of maintaining a decentralized structure as the team scales
• Importance of evolving management styles to match the team's growth

[15:02] Navigating Tough People Conversations in Startups

• Implementing hierarchical structures in growing teams
• The necessity of having difficult conversations early on
• The role of emotional intelligence in handling team transitions

[23:44] Evolving HR in a Changing Workforce

• The reality of startup life: action vs. inaction
• The shift from traditional HR roles to tech-driven, process-oriented functions
• Importance of efficient onboarding and flexible work tools in modern workplaces

[36:39] Evolution of HR and Recruiting Strategies

• Transformation of HR and recruiting from administrative to operational and GTM functions
• The rise of employer branding and the impact of advanced recruiting tools
• Challenges startups face in managing recruitment processes effectively

[47:06] Optimizing Recruiting Strategies for Startups

• Polarization between low-cost and premium recruitment services
• Benefits of modern bounty platforms and retained search firms
• Impact of internet dynamics on traditional recruitment methods

[58:42] Avoiding Corporate Emulation in Startup Growth

• Pitfalls of emulating big corporations too early
• Importance of scalable processes for smaller...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of discussing what founders need to know about DevRel with Eric Zietlow.

We covered everything from the purpose and impact of DevRel, through to building an effective DevRel team, how to compensate them, and how to set them up for success.

Eric Zietlow is formerly Director of Developer Relations for Chia Network. He’s one of the most experienced DevRel leaders in the space, with a wealth of knowledge and insights into the challenges and strategies involved in building effective DevRel teams.

Eric Zietlow introduces himself and explains that DevRel is about bridging the gap between engineering and users and bringing technical understanding to the community.

Eric defines DevRel as the department that connects engineering teams with users. He emphasizes the importance of conveying technical information while maintaining user engagement. He also describes DevRel as a two-way street, facilitating feedback from the community back to the engineering teams.

We discussed the challenges of quantifying the impact of DevRel. Unlike engineering or sales departments, where metrics like bugs fixed or sales leads can easily be measured, DevRel's value is often more qualitative. Eric likens DevRel to "oil in the engine" of a company, facilitating smooth operations across departments rather than directly driving metrics.

We talked about how DevRel is often confused with marketing due to their overlapping roles in building relationships and engagement. However, Eric points out that DevRel is more niche-focused, targeting developers specifically, whereas marketing is broader and involves product promotion to various audiences.

The conversation covers the skills needed for a DevRel role and how companies should approach hiring for this position. Eric suggests hiring individuals with a technical background rather than those who started in marketing or non-technical roles. He emphasizes the need for practical experience and enthusiasm for the project.

Eric explains that a significant part of DevRel is advocacy, both for the users (external) and within the company (internal). He discusses the misconception that DevRel is primarily about documentation and clarifies that the role focuses more on advocating for the needs of the community and ensuring the product development aligns with user needs.

Eric discusses the importance of engaging with the community and being present at events. He stresses that the value of DevRel is not in the number of attendees at an event but in the quality and engagement level of those attendees.

Eric mentions how the industry moved from using the term "developer evangelist" to "developer advocate," reflecting a shift in focus from merely promoting technology to building relationships and providing real value to the community.

We discuss the difficulties in hiring qualified DevRel talent, particularly in the crypto space. He mentions that there are only a limited number of experienced DevRel professionals, and finding someone with both technical expertise and the necessary soft skills can be challenging.

We talk about the role of...