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...

Financial discipline, managing market cycles, and running lean. According to Gwin Scott, these are some of the strategies and attention points founders need to keep in mind in order to succeed in the crypto and Web3 environment.

Gwin is my guest in this week’s episode of The Blockchain Startup Show. He is the co-founder of Vendible Labs, a decentralized identity project built on Algorand. With a long and successful track record in business leadership pre-crypto, and some humbling experiences post-crypto, I was excited to get Gwin’s take on the trials and tribulations of Web3 entrepreneurship.

Watch the full conversation here:

[EMBEDDED INTERVIEW]

Gwin is a veteran entrepreneur who bravely took the plunge into crypto, co-founding Vendible Labs..

Having worked with businesses in many different sectors and coming from a traditional corporate background, Gwin has a special eye for early-stage business development, sustainable business models, and strategies that can help founders reach success.

Here are the highlights from the interview:

Gwin discusses his background in corporate roles, such as with Time Warner and Turner Broadcasting, his transition into venture capital and blockchain.

We discuss how Web3 differs from other industries in terms of success conditions, business execution, and the unique challenges posed by decentralization.

Gwin offers insights into whether traditional business development practices can be applied in crypto, debating the industry’s differences and similarities.

We explore how trends like community-led sales and inbound marketing in traditional sectors are aligning with practices that are already prevalent in crypto.

We discuss projects that raised excessive funds but failed to deliver, leading to bloated operations with little innovation or product-market fit.

Gwin highlights essential lessons crypto founders can learn from traditional industries, such as the importance of constraints in driving innovation and maintaining focus.

He also discusses the need for founders, especially in technical roles, to have a comprehensive understanding of the business context and how their work contributes to the broader goals.

Gwin reflects on the journey of building Vendible Labs, sharing both successes and failures, and the lessons learned throughout the process.

Gwin offers practical advice on how to approach fundraising, including calculating runway needs, managing burn rate, and planning for both bull and bear market cycles.

We talk about how founders need to be proactive rather than reactive during different market cycles, with strategies to maintain consistency and avoid pitfalls.

We explore the importance of lean operations and avoiding unnecessary expenses, especially during early stages when resources are limited...

Expanding your network, forming a community around your project, and finding potential partners lie heavily in your ability to prospect. And there are many different methods you can experiment with to reach out to your audience.

In this episode of The Blockchain Startup Show, I talk to Zach Fowler, a man who probably needs no introduction. He’s taken Linkedin by storm with his insightful content on prospecting (and more recently, stablecoins), and if you’ve met him, you’ll know just what a stand up guy he is..

During our conversation, Zach discussed the importance of personalized and thoughtful prospecting methods, emphasizing relationship-building and long-term strategies over old school mass outreach campaigns.

Zach Fowler is known for his expertise in sales development and prospecting across both web2 and web3. At the time of recording, Zach was a Senior Sales Development Representative (SDR) at Rise, a hybrid crypto-to-fiat payroll platform. He focuses on identifying and engaging clients through personalized outreach strategies.

Known for his proactive nature, Zach secured his position at Rise by directly reaching out to the company's CEO, which shows how he is willing to take bold steps and think outside the box in his professional endeavors.

Additionally, Zach contributes valuable insights into best practices for web3 sales development and writes about stablecoins.

Here are the highlights from the interview:

I introduce Zach Fowler, highlighting his role and expertise in web3 prospecting. Zach also talks about the importance of LinkedIn for networking.

We discuss the critical function of prospecting in both B2B and B2C contexts and talk about how community building as a form of prospecting.

We talk about the challenges in building out marketing stacks and content teams, as all as the importance of relationships and networking in web3.

Zach discusses methods to reach out to people and the importance of a personalized approach.

We talk about the challenges and opportunities of using video in marketing, particularly in web3.

We also discuss the differences in go-to-market strategies and the impact of video content.

The conversation touches on the effectiveness of video content on LinkedIn,, and Zach shares his personal experiences with video marketing.

I talk a bit about my success with LinkedIn videos and algorithm changes, and Zach emphasizes the importance of personal branding for founders and business development.

We talk about the difficulties of scaling operations too quickly and how AI can both help and harm this process.

We discuss the constant online presence and how it affects work-life balance in the modern age.

We talk about the differences between prospecting and selling, emphasizing the importance of building relationships before selling.

We discuss the effectiveness of cold emails and new approaches to improve conversion...

Are you guilty of building a solution in search of a problem? In such a speculation-driven market, it’s an easy trap to fall into.

Tom Phipps stresses that founders should engage deeply with their market and community, obtain real market feedback, and iteratively improve their products to ensure they are building people actually value. Too many crypto founders get caught up in the hype cycle and in the brilliance of their own ideas that they neglect the validation process..

Tom also shared his vast experience and his insights into the blockchain and Web3 ecosystem, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and startup challenges.

The conversation also touches on the pitfalls of excessive investment, which can lead to inefficiencies and lack of innovation. Tom references "zombie crypto companies" that have raised significant funds but fail to deliver anything meaningful.

Tom Phipps has long been involved in the blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. His career trajectory includes several notable phases and roles. His interest in blockchain technology began during his university years, which steered his career path towards this emerging field. Initially on a path to law school, Tom pivoted to work in venture capital, where he gained significant experience in the startup ecosystem.

Tom led the Web3 program at Entrepreneur First, a global talent investor and accelerator that supports entrepreneurs in building technology companies. He focused on helping Web3 founders during the critical early stages of their startup journey, emphasizing customer development and product-market fit.

Rather than becoming a founder himself, Tom chose to support other founders, helping them navigate the challenges of startup life, such as managing investments and stakeholders. Through his work, Tom gained insights into the common pitfalls and success factors for Web3 startups.

Here are the key takeaways from the interview:

Harrison Wright introduces Tom Phipps, detailing his current role and previous experience.

Tom talks about his university experience, discovering blockchain, and his transition from law school to working in venture capital.

Tom discusses his role at Entrepreneur First, leading the Web3 program, and his transition from working at Creative Fund.

Tom explains his decision to support founders instead of being a founder himself and the satisfaction he gets from helping startups.

Tom and Harrison discuss the intimidation and loneliness of being a founder, managing investments, and the importance of a support network.

Tom and Harrisson talk about customer development to ensure the product or service has a real use case and is not just built in isolation.

Tom shares that most successful startups significantly evolve their product based on customer feedback and the iteration process.

Tom and Harrison talk about the pitfalls of raising too much capital, leading to inefficiencies and lack of meaningful innovation.

Tom and Harrison discuss "zombie crypto companies" that have raised significant funds but fail to deliver innovative or impactful results.

Tom and Harrison talk about how...

Every growing company understands that success comes from overcoming challenges, not just achieving milestones.

Mastering these challenges is key to sustaining growth. Whether it's about scaling the team, maintaining quality, or fostering innovation, companies must navigate their journey with resilience and strategic insight.

In this episode of The Blockchain Startup Show, we chat with with a special guest, Maud Bannwart, the COO of Alephium. Maud shares her experience in leading Alephium, a company known for its innovative approach in the crypto sector. She discusses the importance of finding the right talent, the role of innovation in driving success, and why expanding the team doesn't always equate to increased efficiency.

Join us to gain valuable insights on navigating the complexities of business growth. Maud's expertise will enlighten and inspire you, whether you're leading an established company aiming to optimize your growth strategy or an emerging business looking to make your mark in the competitive world of crypto.

Maud is the COO of Alephium, a pioneering layer one blockchain network focused on providing a secure, scalable, and decentralized platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications.

With a unique background that spans chemical engineering and startup experience, Maud has navigated diverse career paths to land in the crypto industry. She began her journey at EPFL in Switzerland, where she studied chemical engineering before transitioning into business and the tech startup world. Her early professional experience includes working at BestMind, a leading Swedish startup specializing in self-driving cars, where she met Alephium's founder, Cheng.

Before joining Alephium, Maud worked at the Swiss crypto exchange Lykke, where wore multiple hats, contributing to HR, legal aspects, investor relations, and product management.

Since joining Alephium in June 2021, Maud has been instrumental in overseeing all non-development activities, helping to shape the project’s identity and drive its growth. Her role involves strategic planning, community engagement, and ensuring the smooth operation of the blockchain network.

Maud’s passion for innovation and her diverse skill set make her a key player in the evolving blockchain technology industry.

Maud Bannwart’s career path, from chemical engineering to startups and eventually Alephium, showcases the value of diverse experiences and adaptability. Her varied background provided her with a unique perspective and skill set that benefited her roles in the crypto industry.

Alephium aims to offer a secure, scalable, and decentralized platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications. Founder Cheng's technical innovations, which couldn't be integrated into existing blockchains, led to the creation of Alephium, highlighting the importance of pioneering new solutions.

Alephium secured funding through a pre-sale with a conscious decision to limit the amount raised. This strategy ensured a focus on building a useful and sustainable product, emphasizing the need for mindful resource management in startup development.

Establishing a strong project identity and engaging with the community through transparent and respectful interactions is crucial. Alephium’s approach to building trust and fostering a supportive ecosystem is a key factor in its development strategy.

Marketing is essential.

Effective marketing is pivotal for building a successful crypto project and attracting a high-performing team to scale it.

In this episode of The Blockchain Startup Show, Tony Drummond, Co-founder of CONV3RT and President of Moonbound Consulting, delves into the importance of marketing within the crypto sector. Tony discusses the critical role of messaging in overcoming industry challenges and underscores the importance of targeted strategies to resonate with the right audience. This conversation sheds light on how a well-crafted message can build trust, educate potential users, and create a robust brand identity amidst the competitive crypto landscape.

Additionally, Tony discusses the challenges founders face, such as over-reliance on token sales and the necessity of developing a sustainable business model. He advocates for careful measurement of marketing results and strategic hiring practices, stressing the value of recruiting top talent and maintaining a lean, efficient team.

Tony Drummond is the co-founder of CONV3RT and President of Moonbound Consulting. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and thought leader in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. With a wealth of experience in tokenomics and project development, Tony has become a well-respected figure, frequently sharing valuable insights and strategies with the Web3 community.

Tony's hands-on experience includes growing his own project to over $200 million in market cap with 70,000 holders. His journey has involved significant marketing efforts and development expenditures, providing him with a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities in the space.

Tony believes that the best learning comes from experiencing failures and overcoming challenges. His ability to navigate the highs and lows of the crypto market has not only strengthened his expertise but also positioned him as a mentor to others in the industry. His commitment to continuous learning and sharing knowledge has made him a pivotal figure in the Web3 community.

Harrison Wright introduces Tony Drummond, highlighting his roles as Co-founder of CONV3RT and President of Moonbound Consulting. Tony is known for sharing valuable insights on LinkedIn about tokenomics and helping founders.

Tony shares his experiences running a project that grew to over $200 million with 70,000 holders. He discusses the challenges faced during the bear market and the lessons learned from those difficulties.

Tony emphasizes that the best way to learn in the crypto space is through mistakes and failures. Surviving and continuing to build through the bear market makes professionals stronger and better equipped.

Tony discusses the importance of understanding the target audience in marketing and messaging. He suggests defining customer avatars to better tailor strategies to the needs and behaviors of the target market.

Tony addresses the balance between serving users and investors, especially when raising VC funding. He advises limiting the allocation of tokens to investors to avoid excessive control and potential market dumps.

The conversation touches on the importance of having the right metrics and systems in place to measure success and guide the project's direction. This includes ensuring each role within a project is clearly defined and contributes to the overall system.

Tony shares his experience with team composition, emphasizing the value of hiring a small...