MoneyNeverSleeps

This week. I sat down with Timo Lehes and Philipp Pieper, the co-founders of Swarm, the RWA (or Real World Assets) platform that brings unique digitization and trading solutions to the world of traditional and decentralized finance. Swam is the first organization in the world to offer digitized US treasury bills and Apple stock via a compliant and decentralized platform From their personal journeys into crypto to the challenges of integrating TradFi with DeFi, Timo and Philipp unpack Swarm's evolution, their focus on compliance, and their vision for the tokenized financial markets of tomorrow. Along the way, they share stories about formative moments in their careers, including Philipp’s time in New England during the fall of the Berlin Wall and Timo’s early coding days. Plus, we dive into: Swarm’s focus on making blockchain-based assets accessible and tradable globally. Insights from the initial coin offering (ICO) and security token offering (STO) waves of the mid-2010s. The importance of regulatory clarity for tokenization to thrive. The role of RWAs in bridging the gap between decentralized and traditional finance. And yes, the story behind Swarm’s iconic RWA baseball caps inspired by 80s rap legends NWA! Key Takeaways: The transition from niche assets to tokenizing well-known RWAs like stocks and gold has been pivotal for Swarm's success. Compliance and regulation are at the heart of Swarm's approach, paving the way for global adoption. Despite the challenges, blockchain holds the potential to simplify and disrupt traditional financial systems, much like the early internet. Swarm's dual focus: Issuing RWAs and providing the tools for others to tokenize assets through their SaaS platform. About Swarm: Swarm is a compliance-first platform for tokenizing real-world assets, combining the speed, efficiency, and flexibility of blockchain with the trust and asset diversity of traditional exchanges. By integrating TradFi with DeFi, Swarm aims to create a seamless future where everything just becomes “Fi.” Follow Swarm: Website: swarm.com Twitter: @SwarmMarkets Telegram: Swarm Community Connect with Timo and Philipp: Timo Lehes: Twitter | LinkedIn Philipp Pieper: Twitter | LinkedIn Mentioned in This Episode: Dead Poets Society and its influence on Philipp’s philosophy of independent thought. Regulatory developments in the U.S. and Europe, and their implications for tokenized markets. The role of stablecoins as the first real-world asset success story. NWA’s influence on Swarm’s RWA hats—bridging culture and finance. Keywords: crypto, blockchain, digital assets, tokenization, real world assets, RWAs, DeFi   Leave a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts Spotify MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter): Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

This week, we’ve got an exclusive interview with Manu, the founder and CEO of Sponstar, the fractional sponsorship marketplace that’s leveling the playing field for small and mid-sized brands to access high-profile sponsorship opportunities. Manu’s entrepreneurial journey, from traditional finance to web3, led to the creation of Sponstar—a game-changing platform that bridges physical events and digital experiences while redefining the sponsorship ecosystem. Manu shares her insights on fractional sponsorship, the intersection of blockchain, AI, and event marketing, and the unique challenges women founders face in the tech and crypto worlds. We also explore her guiding principles of spirituality, surrender, and how giving more strengthens a startup’s potential. Manu previously co-founded Alpha’a and alphaa.io where she changed the way companies connect with their fans, using web3 to help enterprises connect people, content and experiences.  She has been in the tech and collectibles sector for the past 10 years successfully raising funds from venture investors such as Metaprop, Lightspeed, Chingona Ventures, and Gaingels  With a background in finance, Manu worked as an equity analyst at Gávea Investments, one of Brazil’s most reputable investment management firms. Notably, Manu was named by Bloomberg in 2022 as one of the top 100 most influential Latinos and Latinas worldwide, one of the top 10 people to watch in Fintech in 2023, and one of the 33-Under-33 entrepreneurs in 2018 in New York City.  RESOURCES & LINKS: Learn more about ⁠Sponstar⁠ Recommended Reading: ⁠The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer⁠ ABOUT THE HOST: Pete Townsend is an early-stage startup investor focused on the intersection of fintech, crypto, and web3. He also leads the ⁠Techstars Web3 Accelerator⁠. For more on Pete and how to get in touch, visit ⁠moneyneversleeps.ie⁠. SUPPORT THE SHOW: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠, and don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes of MoneyNeverSleeps. Until next time, stay curious and keep learning! Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter): Pete Townsend:⁠ https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv⁠ MoneyNeverSleeps:⁠ https://twitter.com/MNSshow⁠ Follow on LinkedIn: Pete Townsend:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/⁠ MoneyNeverSleeps:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/⁠ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter:⁠ https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

We're diving deep into the fundamentals of fundraising for Web3 startups and early-stage ventures navigating their first capital raise. Fundraising is always challenging, but in web3, it’s a whole new frontier with unique hurdles. This session, originally presented at a Techstars Web3 Accelerator event, is packed with actionable insights that apply to most tech startups, especially those aiming to raise their first round. IN THIS EPISODE: The Art of Readiness: Fundraising is a high-stakes campaign that requires focus, preparation, and a solid plan. I’ll walk you through the basics of getting yourself – and your co-founders – ready to tackle your first fundraise head-on. Investor Pipeline Strategy: Building and managing an investor pipeline is critical to success. Learn about identifying the right investors, setting up warm intros, and the nuances of pitching to both web3 and web2.5 investors. Legal Matters and Structures: In web3, navigating the legal landscape is a must. I cover key considerations for structuring your raise, choosing between token and equity allocations, and why a strong legal strategy is essential. Storytelling and Positioning: We discuss the importance of clearly articulating your vision, setting ambitious yet realistic milestones, and presenting a credible plan to investors. Execution and Perseverance: Fundraising can be a marathon filled with tough feedback, but execution is key. I share tips on how to handle investor conversations, refine your pitch, and ultimately close your round. Resources: Access a variety of fundraising resources, including pitch deck examples, document templates, and strategic guides in the show notes on MoneyNeverSleeps.ie. Slides from the Techstars session: Fundraising in web3 A16z crypto: 5 rules for token launches NFX:  The 23 Rules of Storytelling For Fundraising Pitchdecky: Crypto / Web3 (and beyond) pitch deck LegalNodes: Choosing a web3 fundraising document Techstars Entrepreneur’s Toolkit Video version of Web3 Fundraising Playbook (this episode) Applications Now Open: If you’re a web3 founder ready to scale, applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class of the Techstars Web3 Accelerator! Deadline is November 20, so don’t miss out. Visit techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to learn more and apply. TIMESTAMPS: 01:40 The Challenges of Fundraising 02:32 Preparing for Your First Fundraise 03:56 Determining Your Fundraising Amount 07:32 Legal Considerations in Web3 Fundraising 11:43 Socializing Your Fundraise 13:27 Building Your Fundraising Materials 15:52 Targeting and Pitching Investors 20:27 Executing and Closing the Fundraise 23:21 Final Thoughts and Recap LINKS: Leave a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts Spotify MoneyNeverSleeps (website) MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter): Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/

René Pinnell is the founder of Artizen, a match-funding platform for human creativity, helping creators match fund new projects at the frontier of art, science, technology and culture. With over two decades of experience, René has helped creators raise more than $50 million for groundbreaking projects, including securing the first seven-figure VR film deal at the Sundance Film Festival. As an executive producer, René has worked on acclaimed projects like BATTLESCAR, starring Rosario Dawson, and SPHERES, featuring Jessica Chastain, Millie Bobby Brown, and Patti Smith. Additionally, René has directed the feature documentary The King of Texas, sold a TV pilot to MTV, and founded two companies, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting and elevating creative talent.  In this episode, I sat down with René to explore his transformative journey from filmmaker to startup founder. Delving into the evolution of creative funding, René discusses Artizen's innovative model, which blends traditional match funding with crypto and community-driven support.  We cover pivotal moments from his VR project days with Kaleidoscope to forming high-profile partnerships, such as with Viola Davis during the BLM movement. Discover how Artizen's dual strategy of enterprise sales and grassroots initiatives is set to reshape the creative industry. Plus, learn about the role of AI and no-code tools in revolutionizing product development, the benefits of community match funds, and the potential of crypto within the creator economy. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the past, present, and future of creative project financing. René is also an alum of the Techstars Web3 accelerator class of 2024, investing in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies.  Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply.  TIMESTAMPS: 00:36 Meet René Pinnell: A Creative Force 01:17 René's Creative Journey and Family Heritage 03:54 The Birth of Artizen 05:52 Challenges in Funding Creative Projects 08:11 From Kaleidoscope to Artizen 10:22 Scaling Artizen with Community Curation 19:05 Artizen's Triple-Sided Marketplace 26:35 Support for Black Artists in Immersive Media 27:25 Fundraising and Future Plans for Artizen 28:22 High-Profile Partnerships and Match Funds 29:34 Challenges and Insights from Creators 32:32 René's Journey: From Filmmaker to Founder 37:31 Rebuilding Artizen with No-Code Tools 41:10 The Future of Product Development and Network Effects 44:10 The Importance of Fundraising Skills 45:41 Optimism and Personal Reflections 51:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts LINKS: Follow René Pinnell -X/(Twitter): https://x.com/RJPinnell -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjpinnell/ Learn more about: -Artizen: https://artizen.fund/ -René'ss ‘Wayback Machine’:  http://renepinnell.com/homepage.html -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Niall Dennehy is an Irish entrepreneur and the co-founder and COO of AID:Tech, who are bringing traceability and transparency to the flow of funds for governments, NGOs and charities with their payments and digital identity infrastructure bridging web2 to web3.  In this episode, Pete Townsend reconnects with Niall to explore the groundbreaking journey of their mission-driven company since Niall was last on MoneyNeverSleeps in 2018 (episode 11 linked here and below). The conversation spans the company's digital identity and payments innovations, especially through their Kare Wallet which accelerates financial assistance to disaster survivors. Leveraging blockchain technology, the platform ensures transparent, traceable, and secure distribution of relief funds, partnering with entities like Walmart to prevent misuse. Niall reflects on the emotional impact on both survivors and AID:Tech employees, underscoring the mission that deeply resonates with their team. The discussion delves into strategic approaches to funding, including securing non-dilutive grants, engaging with VCs, and the valuable experiences from accelerator programs like Techstars.  Niall and Pete also touch upon the 'Five H's' of success - happy, hungry, humble, helpful, and healthy - emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing in driving sustained impact and growth for AID:Tech. Overall, this episode offers an insightful look into AID:Tech's ethos, their strategic growth, and the pivotal role of technology in enhancing disaster relief efforts. The Techstars Web3 accelerator invests in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies.  Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply.   TIMESTAMPS: 00:36 Meet Niall Dennehy: Co-Founder of AID:Tech 01:48 AID:Tech's Impact and Innovations 03:19 The Evolution of AID:Tech  04:22 The Core Mission: Identity and Payments 07:44 Real-World Applications and Success Stories 11:18 Challenges and Perseverance in the Startup World 13:08 Future of Payments and Digital Identity 14:19 The Kare Survivor Wallet in Action 20:02 Community Impact and Personal Stories 24:55 The Flywheel of a Mission-Driven Startup 26:02 Philosophical Insights and Team Alignment 27:36 Navigating Fundraising for Impact Ventures 30:56 The Importance of Non-Dilutive Capital 33:50 Personal Growth and Mindset 36:37 The Five H's for Founders 39:27 Final Thoughts and Gratitude LINKS: Follow Niall Dennehy -X/(Twitter): https://twitter.com/dennehyniall -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niall-dennehy-bb311016/ Learn more about: -AID:Tech: https://www.aid.technology/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Links referenced in the episode: Post on the Kare Survivor Wallet’s deployment for hurricane relief aid  Episode 11 of MoneyNeverSleeps from August 2018:  Matt Keller’s X/(Twitter) post on Algorand and the Kare Wallet Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Luca Franchi is the CEO and a co-founder of Ambient, a decentralized network of air quality sensors.  Luca brings to Ambient over two decades of leading growth at several startups and large corporations in the US and Europe (O2 UK, Telefónica, Sky) across enterprise and consumer verticals.  In this episode, Luca shares his fascinating journey from working in startups and corporates like Sky in Silicon Valley to leading a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). The conversation delves into Ambient's strategic pivot from Algorand to Solana, their $2 million seed round led by Borderless Capital, and the operational challenges of launching a decentralized network. Luca elaborates on how Ambient’s air quality sensors and the AmbiGo! app aim to engage the community and commercialize data. We also discuss the importance of founder experience, particularly in recruiting industry experts to navigate enterprise sales and legal structuring in DePIN projects. The episode concludes with Luca reflecting on the importance of passion and perseverance in entrepreneurship, and what it takes to approach the founders’ journey with longevity in mind. Ambient is a DePIN at the leading edge of decentralized environmental monitoring, harnessing the power of its vast sensor network to deliver real-time, hyper-local, actionable environmental data. By utilizing distributed technologies and a community-focused participation model, Ambient not only enhances environmental awareness but also drives impactful change across the globe. The Techstars Web3 accelerator invests in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies.  Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply.   TIMESTAMPS: 02:03 Luca's Career Journey and Founding Ambient 08:21 Challenges and Strategies in Building Ambient 11:51 How Ambient Works and Future Plans 13:15 The AmbiGo! App: Enhancing User Experience 16:10 The Importance of Data in Decentralized Networks 19:12 The Importance of DePIN in Web3 22:44 Raising the $2 Million Seed Round 25:24 The Startup Journey: Moving Fast and Staying Passionate 28:43 Balancing Work and Life: Advice for Founders 33:42 Conclusion and Contact Information TIMESTAMPS: Follow Luca Franchi -X/(Twitter): https://x.com/luckyluca -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucafranchi/ Learn more about: -Ambient: https://ambient.network/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Luis Ramirez is the Founder and CEO of Mawari, a pioneer in cloud rendering and streaming technology.  The Mawari team got started in Tokyo in 2017, and since then, the team has effectively built the foundation for the 3D internet. Mawari enables real-time 3D content streaming to spatial computing devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 through a global network of GPUs, leveraging Web3 elements such as DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) to overcome the limitations of traditional centralized networks. Uniquely positioned to address one of the core challenges in the spatial computing industry, formerly known as XR (eXtended Reality), Mawari focuses on delivering scalable infrastructure for real-time 3D applications. Mawari has since launched the Mawari Network — a DePIN and the only full-stack spatial computing platform offering decentralized compute and storage resources optimized for AR/VR experiences.  As a side note and in the spirit of transparency, Mawari recently announced the closing of their $10.8mn strategic funding round, and I’m thrilled to be part of the round as an angel investor.  In this episode, Luis and I riff on his journey from music to technology, the inception of the Mawari vision, building the team and overcoming challenges, the role of decentralization in the Mawari Network, Luis’ lessons learned from raising $17.3mn across two rounds in 3 years, and the essence of persistence, creativity, and the strategic foresight required to scale a tech startup in the evolving landscape of AR, VR, and Web3. TIMESTAMPS: 00:39 Meet Luis Ramirez: From Music to Technology 06:18 The Birth of Mawari and Its Vision 15:02 Challenges and Innovations in XR and Web3 21:40 Building and Scaling the Mawari Team 32:20 Fundraising Journey and Future Milestones 38:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Luis Ramirez -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismawari/ Learn more about: -Mawari: https://mawari.net/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Linda Jeng is the Founder and CEO of Digital Self Labs, and she joins me in exploring the evolving landscape of stablecoins. Our discussion focuses on our key takeaways from Castle Island Ventures' latest stablecoin report, 'Stablecoins: the Emerging Market Story'. Linda shares her background in financial regulation, blockchain, and AI, and offers critical insights into how stablecoins are reshaping financial systems in emerging markets. Through a detailed analysis of the Castle Island Ventures report written with Brevan Howard Digital, the conversation reveals the growing use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, currency conversion, and as a stable store of value, reflecting their importance beyond crypto trading. We also touch on regulatory perspectives, why non-dollar stablecoin volumes are so meager, and the potential impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on the stablecoin market. Linda Jeng, is a trailblazing leader in the digital economy through ‘shaping a self-empowered future through blockchain and AI technologies’. Digital Self Labs is a regulatory and policy advisory firm combining blockchain expertise with policy and regulatory strategy. With over 15 years of government experience, she has held key roles at institutions like the U.S. Federal Reserve, US Treasury Department, the SEC and the Bank for International Settlements. Linda is also a Visiting Scholar at Georgetown Law, a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law School, and a Bank for International Settlements Research Fellow. Her deep expertise in financial systems and her advocacy for data transparency and decentralized technology make her a pivotal figure in shaping the future of finance. TIMESTAMPS: 02:57 Linda Jeng's Career Journey 05:36 Castle Island Ventures and ‘Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story’ 09:59 Understanding Stablecoins in Emerging Markets 14:15 The Role of Stablecoins in Global Finance 19:38 Challenges and Opportunities for Stablecoins 20:59 The Future of Stablecoins and Digital Identity 46:23 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways 48:50 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements REFERENCE LINKS: Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Castle Island Ventures & Brevan Howard Digital, 12-Sep-24)  The Finternet: The financial system for the future (Bank for International Settlements, 19-Apr-24) International Association of Deposit Insurers Overview of the Bancor Proposal from Bretton Woods (Wikipedia) Stablecoin companies now 16th largest holder of U.S. treasuries globally (CryptoSlate, 18-Oct-23) Follow our guest co-host, Linda Jeng: -X(Twitter):  https://x.com/LindaJeng1 -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-jeng-4682b3/ Learn more about: -Digital Self Labs: https://www.digitalselflabs.com/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Alejandro Gutierrez, CEO of npayme Labs and co-founder of ETH Dublin joins me again as guest co-host this week. In this episode, we recap our recent panel on ‘Finding Web3 Talent’ at Dogpatch Labs, touching on market sentiment, the cyclical nature of crypto investments, and strategies for early-stage startups. We delve into the concept of real-world asset tokenization, highlighting key initiatives by firms like Provenance, PayPal, Circle and Centrifuge. The conversation also covers the evolving landscape for content creators in Web3, emphasizing the use of tokenization for new revenue streams and the role of AI in content creation. STORIES WE COVERED: Recap of ‘Finding Talent in Web3’ last week at Dogpatch Labs (Owen Healy on LinkedIn, 15-Sep-24) Friday Fund Tokenization Update (Eoin Motherway on Linkedin, 13-Sep-24) Provenance Blockchain Labs launches Fund Issuance platform, to tokenize, list, & lend RWA funds on Figure Markets (Marketwatch, 20-Aug-24) PayPal's stablecoin hits $1B market cap (Cointelegraph, 26-Aug-24) MakerDAO, rebranded as SKY to roll out new stablecoin USDS (The Block, 27-Aug-24) Circle's USDC in Brazil and Mexico Now Available to Businesses Via Banking System (CoinDesk, 17-Sep-24) Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Nic Carter @ Castle Island Ventures, 12-Sep-24) Centrifuge launches a RWA lending market leveraging tokenized U.S. Treasury bills.(CoinDesk, 27-Aug-24)  AAVE (Avara) onboards BUIDL Shares as Collateral for GHO stablecoin (The Defiant, 29-Aug-24) Natixis launch €100M Digital Bond, secured by mortgage loan pools & operated by SC Ventures, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale & LBBW (Ledger Insights, 28-Aug-24). Siemens issues €300M digital bond, as the largest bond issued under Germany’s eWpG. (Ledger Insights, 4-Sep-24)  Creators’ content is a real-world asset (Alejandro Guterrez on X, 17-Sep-24) TIMESTAMPS 01:40 Insights from the Web3 Talent Panel 04:11 Market Sentiment and Investment Strategies 07:02 The Role of Tokenization in Web3 14:31 Real-World Asset Tokenization 28:24 Content Creation in the Web3 Era 34:01 Closing Thoughts and Farewell LINKS: Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez: -X(Twitter):  https://twitter.com/A_gutierro -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/ Learn more about: -npayme Labs: https://npayme.com/ -ETH Dublin:  https://ethdublin.io/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Garvan Callan is the founder of OneZero1, a company that’s redefining how startups and enterprises alike can navigate the complex world of digital strategy and transformation. Garvan is a strategist, innovator and transformation advisor whose career spans leadership roles in major corporations and working hands-on with startups, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the entrepreneurial divide. Garvan is also a lecturer and the author of Digital Business Strategy, a must-read for anyone serious about innovation and growth in today’s fast-moving world. We explore lessons from Obama's quote 'We are the change that we seek,' the significance of adaptability, the concept of the 'three V's: vision, values, and velocity,' and their application in both large corporations and startups. The episode also covers the challenges and strategies for fostering innovation, the importance of building strong, adaptive teams, and practical advice for startup founders looking to scale. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or just someone interested in the future of business, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss TIMESTAMPS: 01:52 The Power of Change: Lessons from Barack Obama 02:23 Garvin's Journey: From Rural Roots to Corporate Leadership 07:15 Embracing Uncertainty: A Key to Success 12:08 The Three V's: Vision, Values, and Velocity 19:51 Applying Startup Lessons to Large Enterprises 21:02 Leadership and Stress Management 22:13 Founders' Challenges and Letting Go 24:07 Enterprise Dynamics and Managerial Roles 24:59 Understanding Organizational Currencies 27:29 Corporate Innovation Labs and Startup Founders 36:35 Building Relationships and Synchronization LINKS: Follow Garvan Callan on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garvan-callan-b4634323/ -Twitter/X: https://x.com/gpcallan Learn more about and follow OneZero1 -Website: https://onezero1.ie/ -LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/onezero1/ Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Mark McLaughlin is an Irish entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of the ticketing industry since 2006. Mark is the co-founder and CEO of Coras, a company that's been revolutionizing the ticketing landscape with its powerful API solutions, boasting clients like Ryanair. But Mark’s journey doesn’t stop there—he’s now leading Coras into a new frontier with Fida, a cutting-edge loyalty platform that's merging the best of web2 and web3 worlds. In this episode, we’ll explore Mark’s entrepreneurial journey from founding Ticket Text and Ticket ABC to building Coras, and now, innovating with Fida. We’ll dive into the recent €1.3 million funding round led by Irish VC DataOp and the unique challenges of navigating the web2 and web3 investment landscape. Mark will share insights on balancing traditional and forward-thinking approaches for those straddling the web2 and web3 worlds, and what it means for getting these businesses funded. 00:36 Meet Mark McLaughlin: Revolutionizing Ticketing 03:24 The Ticketmaster Saga 05:52 Building Ticketing Solutions: Challenges and Innovations 07:02 Navigating Financial Crises and Raising Funds 10:59 The Evolution of Coras and the Impact of COVID-19 15:50 Introducing Fida: The Future of Loyalty Programs 25:48 Tokenized Commerce and Loyalty Programs 27:12 Building a Universal Loyalty Program 28:05 Challenges in Raising Funds for Web3 Projects 29:54 Pitching to Investors: Lessons Learned 36:04 The Importance of Timing and Luck in Fundraising 38:20 Exploring New Applications for Blockchain 39:05 Advice for Founders in Web2 and Web3 43:02 Mark's Journey from Music to Tech Entrepreneurship 46:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts LINKS: Follow Mark McLaughlin on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmclaughlin1/ -Twitter/X: https://x.com/markwmcl Learn more about and follow Coras & Fida -Website: https://www.coras.io/ -Website: https://www.fidaapp.io/ -X-Twitter: @corasdotio | https://x.com/corasdotio -X-Twitter: @fidaapp | https://x.com/fidaapp -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coras-io/ -LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fidaapp/ Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Returning from our summer hiatus, Laura Walsh joins the show again this week as guest co-host as we dive into Crypto Politics by unpacking Donald Trump's campaign promises involving bitcoin and crypto. Laura and I worked together closely in the first two years of the Techstars Web3 accelerator, and she is a Techstars All-Star Mentor, advisor, founder, web3 O.G. and friend.   In this episode, Laura and I are diving into a hot topic that's been making waves in both the political and crypto spheres. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Donald Trump has been making some bold promises regarding the future of crypto in the United States—from boosting Bitcoin mining to shaking up the regulatory landscape. We take a close look at each of Trump's crypto promises, evaluating their feasibility and potential impact. We explore his claims about ending the so-called ‘crypto crackdown,’ his controversial pledge to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and his ambitious goal of making the U.S. a dominant player in Bitcoin mining. We also discuss Trump's proposal to build a national Bitcoin stockpile and defend self-custody rights, along with his strong stance against the introduction of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). But how much of this actually holds water? Can these promises be realistically fulfilled, or are they just campaign rhetoric designed to win over the crypto community? We break down each promise, tally up the results, and consider who in the tech and crypto space is lining up to support Trump—and why. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of what’s at stake and whether these promises could shape the future of crypto in America, or if they’re just a play for votes. Jump right in as we unpack the reality behind the rhetoric. TIMESTAMPS:  03:38 Debate Reactions and Crypto Politics 05:03 Trump's Bitcoin Conference Appearance 14:13 Crypto Regulation and Political Maneuvering 16:42 Trump's Crypto Crackdown and Mining Proposals 26:47 Crypto and Politics: A Misunderstood Relationship 29:01 Bitcoin Stockpile: A Baffling Proposal 34:12 Self Custody and Legislative Processes 35:49 The Controversy of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) 40:46 Ross Ulbricht: A Presidential Promise 42:17 Evaluating Trump's Crypto Promises 49:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell LINKS: Connect with Laura Walsh on social media: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralwalsh/ -Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOGLauraWalsh Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Pranav Kanade, Portfolio Manager of VanEck's Digital Assets Alpha Strategy joins the show this week. VanEck is an American investment management firm headquartered in New York City with over $100bn in assets under management. Although they’re well known for their passive exchange-traded funds or ETFs, they also manage active portfolios such as Pranav’s Digital Assets Alpha Strategy.   Pranav Kanade joined VanEck in 2022 from Millennium Management where he was a Credit Portfolio Manager working closely with a team of six investment professionals. Prior to Millennium, he was the founding member of the Head of Research for the Liquid Credit investing business at Angelo, Gordon & Co. and also spent time with Hutchin Hill Capital focused on technology and energy. In this episode, Pranav and I dig into his transition from traditional finance (TradFi) to the crypto world, his investment philosophy, and the catalysts for growth in digital assets. Pranav details his journey, the differences between traditional and liquid token investments, and how stablecoins, decentralized physical infrastructure, gaming, and social finance can drive mass adoption. We also delve into regulatory landscapes, tokenomics, and the challenges and opportunities in token project investments. TIMESTAMPS:  00:18 Meet Pranav Kanade: From TradFi to Crypto 01:55 The Evolution of Digital Assets 04:10 Understanding Tokenomics and Market Dynamics 16:20 The Future of Stablecoins and Tokenized Securities 21:13 Managing a Liquid Venture Portfolio 26:03 The Role of Regulation in Crypto Adoption 38:05 Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights LINKS: Follow Pranav Kanade on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkanade1/ -Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/vaneckpk -Substack: https://killerapps.substack.com/ Learn more about and follow VanEck: -X-Twitter: @vaneck_us  |  https://twitter.com/vaneck_us -LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaneck/ Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/-MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Rita Martins joins the show to discuss her new book, Web3 in Financial Services, which explores how blockchain, digital assets, and cryptocurrency are disrupting traditional financial services.  In this episode, Rita and I riff on her inspiration for writing Web3 in Financial Services and how she tackled the process of writing a book for the first time.  We also talk about the present and the future of Web3 technologies in finance, the book’s key messages, and how Rita aimed to make the content evergreen with the fast pace of change in web3. Rita was kind enough to feature a conversation with me in the book, so thank you Rita for including my thoughts.  Rita Martins is a strategic senior leader with a distinguished track record in financial services, fintech and Web3. She serves on the advisory boards of a range of startups at the intersection of finance and DeFi, blockchain, digital assets and crypto, and is a mentor for the Techstars Web3 accelerator. Previously, Rita was the Global Head of Fintech Partnerships at HSBC, where she played a key role in incubating and accelerating disruptive technologies, creating significant advancements in the fintech landscape. Her extensive background also includes strategy and digital transformation roles at Accenture and Ernst & Young, where she led large-scale digital transformation projects, helping clients achieve strategic milestones. TIMESTAMPS:   00:43 Meet Rita Martins: Author, Financial Services Executive and Board Member 01:20 Diving into Web3 and Financial Services 02:43 Rita's Journey in Financial Services 05:23 The Inspiration Behind the Book 06:52 Understanding Blockchain and Its Impact 10:58 Writing the Book: Challenges and Insights 15:07 The Future of Web3 in Finance 26:16 Evolving Ecosystem and Challenges 28:10 Dynamic Nature of Writing in Crypto 29:05 Podcasting vs. Publishing 30:31 Killer Apps in Crypto 31:18 Political Influence on Crypto 34:07 Global Impact and Future Predictions 38:09 Reactions and Feedback 41:22 Marketing and Promotion Efforts 44:34 Personal Insights and Experiences LINKS: Connect with Rita Martins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamartins2/ Follow Rita Martins on X: https://x.com/RitaMartinsUK Buy/download Rita Martin’s book Web3 in Financial Services:  Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Web3-Financial-Services-Blockchain-Traditional/dp/1398615714 KoganPage https://www.koganpage.com/accounting-finance-banking/web3-in-financial-services-9781398615717 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

This week, we dive into decentralization with Kenny Ezeji-Okoye and Stella Dyer from Millicent, Ilya Orlov from FileMarket, alongside Rita Martins, author and Techstars Web3 mentor. The discussion covers the journey from centralized to decentralized models, the impact of decentralization on users and developers, and insights into decentralization in financial services. The episode also includes a sneak peek into Rita Martins' new book, Web3 in Financial Services. Decentralization generally refers to the transfer of control of an enterprise from a small group of stakeholders to a distributed network. At the earliest stages of a startup’s life, the co-founders usually put a plan in motion to keep the control of the business within the hands of the co-founders as a centralized business.  With many web3 projects, however, the project leads or co-founders decide to create a distributed network, where the enterprise value accrues to a token rather than to the equity of a centralized operating company. Decentralization is not a point-in-time decision, however. For example, it took 5 years for the Maker Protocol to fully decentralize.  Most web3 projects that do become decentralized originally start as a centralized operating company and then decentralize over time, like Maker Protocol became Maker DAO.   Does this matter to users whether or not a project is decentralized or plans to decentralize?  Do they actually care?  What about developers, i.e., those building apps/dapps on top of web3 protocols?  What’s in it for them? Kene and Stella from Millicent, Ilya from FileMarket, and author Rita Martins tell us what they think about decentralization and when it matters and when it doesn’t. TIMESTAMPS: 00:57 Understanding Decentralization 02:12 Perspectives from Millicent and FileMarket 03:31 In-Depth Discussion on Decentralization 10:36 User and Developer Perspectives 18:33 Advice for Web3 Founders 23:18 Rita Martins on Decentralization in Financial Services 32:35 Conclusion and Closing Remarks LINKS: Connect with this week’s guests on LinkedIn: -Kene Ezeji-Okoye: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pronouncedkenny/ -Stella Dyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stelladyer/ -Ilya Orlov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlov-ilya/ -Rita Martins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamartins2/ Follow this week’s guests on X/Twitter: -Kene Ezeji-Okoye: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pronouncedkenny/ -Stella Dyer: https://x.com/MillicentLabs/ -Ilya Orlov: https://x.com/UnderKong -Rita Martins: https://x.com/RitaMartinsUK Learn more about each founder’s business: -Millicent Labs: https://www.millicent.io/  |  https://x.com/MillicentLabs -FileMarket: https://filemarket.xyz/  |  https://x.com/FileMarket_xyz -Rita Martins’ book: Web3 in Financial Services https://www.amazon.co.uk/Web3-Financial-Services-Blockchain-Traditional/dp/1398615714 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/