Colors of Tech & Entrepreneurship

Colors of Tech & Entrepreneurship

By Lam TrinhTechnology
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Colors of Tech & Entrepreneurship episodes

  • Decentralizing Web3: Building the Trustless Future with Moosh Network

    In the 54th episode of Colors of Web3 and Entrepreneurship, we sit down with Josh Cowell, the founder of Moosh Network, a decentralized cloud marketplace. Josh shares his insights on the importance of decentralized infrastructure in Web3 and how Moosh Network is working to solve this critical problem.

    With over 14 years of experience in the blockchain space, Josh has seen the evolution of the industry firsthand. He shares his journey from traditional finance to Web3, including his work on a crypto-first neo bank and contributions to various DAOs. Josh emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to decentralization, encompassing data, infrastructure, and people. Moosh Network aims to provide a truly decentralized alternative to traditional cloud providers, empowering users to own their data and participate in a trustless network.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:32 Show introduction and brief self-introduction of Josh Cowell
    00:01:01 Josh discusses his 14-year journey in Web3 and early Bitcoin discovery
    00:01:52 From traditional finance consulting to blockchain technology
    00:03:09 Why Josh left traditional finance to pursue decentralized solutions
    00:05:28 The vision for a crypto-first NeoBank and challenges in implementation
    00:06:33 How centralized infrastructure remains a bottleneck in Web3 growth
    00:12:44 Why Josh believes some banks claim to be NeoBanks but aren’t truly innovative
    00:13:49 Josh’s early contributions to DAOs and community-driven blockchain projects
    00:17:45 Exploring real-world applications of peer-to-peer payments in unbanked regions
    00:19:10 Josh’s first experiences with decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN)
    00:23:42 Josh shares his hobbies: building guitars, cycling, and surfing
    00:27:16 Introduction to Moosh Network’s resource-sharing marketplace
    00:28:05 Decentralized cloud computing bridging trustless and trust-dependent systems
    00:31:58 Josh explains the concept of the social graph and mesh overlay networks
    00:37:53 How Moosh Network combines decentralized computing and governance models
    00:44:11 The role of Moosh DAO in decentralized governance and dispute management
    00:53:33 How Moosh Network aims to ensure fairness through innovative tokenomics
    00:58:26 Tackling Web3’s distribution challenges and gaining user adoption
    00:59:40 Josh’s insights on decentralizing physical infrastructure for Web3
    01:05:44 Exploring the broader potential of Moosh in the Web3 ecosystem
    01:09:29 How AI and IoT advancements could help Moosh Network scale in Web3
    01:18:02 Josh’s thoughts on how Web3 will evolve in the next few years
    01:28:40 Josh’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs starting their own Web3 company
    01:32:19 Where to follow Josh and learn more about Moosh Network
    01:33:36 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Josh and his company:
    Moosh website: moosh.gg
    Moosh Twitter/X: https://x.com/mooshnet
    Moosh blog: blog.moosh.gg
    Josh's Twitter/X: https://x.com/JoshCowellX
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 35 min
  • From Traditional Finance to Web3: David Tng's Journey with Tezos

    David Tng, the Managing Director of TZ APAC, a key player in the Tezos blockchain ecosystem, makes an appearance on the 53rd episode of Colors of Web3 & Entrepreneurship. David charts his path from traditional finance to the world of Web3, reflecting on his experiences in robo-advisory, payments, and lending. He unpacks the origins of Tezos, a layer-one blockchain known for its unique on-chain governance system that facilitates upgrades without contentious hard forks.

    David outlines the mission of TZ APAC, an organization funded by the Tezos Foundation to promote the adoption of Tezos. He details their work with Fortify Labs, a startup studio designed to guide and support Web3 startups built on Tezos or its EVM-compatible layer-two solution, Etherlink. The conversation explores the diverse programming languages within the Tezos ecosystem, including Michelson, Solidity, and the upcoming Jstz ("Justice") language, aiming to attract a wider range of developers. David provides his insights on the challenges and opportunities within the Web3 landscape and how regulatory clarity could unlock mainstream adoption.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:29 David's Background in FinTech and Robo Advisory
    00:07:00 Different gigs in FinTech & Early Web3 Encounters
    00:16:35 David’s First Experiences with Web3 and Bitcoin Mining
    00:20:06 David's hobbies
    00:21:10 Deep Dive into Tezos, the Tezos Foundation, and TZ APAC
    00:28:05 Fortify Labs: TZ APAC's Startup Studio and Cohort Highlights
    00:37:20 TZ APAC activities during Token2049 in Singapore
    00:41:06 Programming Languages on Tezos: Michelson, Solidity, and the Future of Jstz ("Justice")
    00:44:36 Etherlink: Tezos' Layer-2 Rollup and the Tezos X Roadmap
    00:49:40 Tezos - a blockchain that can upgrade itself due to on-chain governance
    00:51:10 The team behind TZ APAC
    00:54:18 Core contributors (engineering teams) for Tezos
    00:56:30 Challenges facing TZ APAC: how to attract more builders in Web3
    00:59:44 David's hot take on how to onboard 1 billion users / 1 million developers into Web3
    01:03:55 Predicting Web3’s evolution in the next few years
    01:05:56 Advice for Breaking into Web3
    01:07:58 Where to Follow David and TZ APAC
    01:09:11 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow David and his company:
    David's Twitter: https://x.com/tng_david
    TZ APAC: https://x.com/TzApac
    TZ APAC Website: https://www.tzapac.com/
    Fortify Labs: https://www.tzapac.com/fortifylabs/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 10 min
  • From DeFi Summer to Yield Tokenization at Pendle Finance: Wilbert's Web3 Journey

    In this 52nd episode of Colors of Web3 and Entrepreneurship, Lam sits down with Wilbert Johan, Business Development Ecosystem Team Lead at Pendle Finance, a leading yield tokenization protocol.

    Wilbert takes us on his Web3 journey, starting with the heady days of the 2020 DeFi Summer to building his own Web3 startup, and his current role at Pendle Finance. He provides insightful commentary on the evolution of decentralized finance, the potential of RWA, and the intricacies of yield trading.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:28 Show introduction and brief self-introduction from Wilbert Johan
    00:01:33 The experience of DeFi summer and early days in crypto
    00:02:13 Wilbert discusses his transition from traditional finance to Web3
    00:04:39 Challenges in founding a Web3 startup in rewards tokenization
    00:10:43 Wilbert’s experience working with RWAs and DeFi strategies
    00:12:47 How Wilbert discovered blockchain and his entry to Pendle
    00:14:39 Wilbert explains the concept of private credit
    00:20:07 Wilbert’s personal interests and how they keep him balanced
    00:23:49 Overview of Pendle Finance and the mission to tokenize yields
    00:24:39 Wilbert explains ETH restaking and BTC-Fi yield opportunities
    00:28:24 Pendle’s approach to providing fixed returns with PT and YT tokens
    00:30:49 An in-depth look at Pendle
    00:31:28 Pendle’s BTC-Fi pools and their potential in the DeFi landscape
    00:32:23 How Pendle enables yield opportunities for Bitcoin holders
    00:33:42 Wilbert describes Pendle’s approach to building liquidity pools
    00:34:08 Traction and growth of Pendle’s BTC-Fi pools in DeFi
    00:37:59 An in-depth look at Pendle’s unique yield tokenization mechanism
    00:42:19 Pendle’s ecosystem: Partnerships and collaborations in DeFi
    00:50:50 How the VE tokenomics model boosts user engagement
    00:54:26 The team behind Pendle and the company’s structure
    00:58:38 Challenges facing Pendle and plans for future growth
    00:59:43 Wilbert’s thoughts on security and risk management in Web3
    01:01:57 How will BTC-Fi and DeFi evolve in the next few years
    01:04:45 Advice for people who want to break into Web3
    01:09:03 Where to follow Wilbert and learn more about Pendle
    01:10:49 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Wilbert and his company:
    Wilbert's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilbertjohan/
    Wilbert's Twitter: https://x.com/_whalebird
    Pendle Twitter: https://x.com/pendle_fi
    Pendle website: https://www.pendle.finance/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 12 min
  • From Philosophy to Fintech: Building UmrahCash for Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia feat. William Phelps

    In the 51st episode of Colors of Web3 and Entrepreneurship, we sit down with William Phelps, the founder and CEO of UmrahCash. William, originally from London with a background in philosophy and traditional finance, found his passion in emerging markets and the potential of blockchain technology.

    After working with an Africa-focused Web3 fund, William saw a significant gap in the market for financial services catering to pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. He founded UmrahCash to address the challenges pilgrims face in accessing local currency, particularly those from emerging markets with currency restrictions.
    Join us as William explains how UmrahCash leverages stablecoins to simplify access to Saudi Riyals for pilgrims, working within the existing financial and cultural landscape to provide a seamless and secure experience.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:01:24 Show introduction and brief self-intro from William Phelps
    00:01:57 William discusses his transition from traditional finance to Web3
    00:05:20 How Saudi Arabia is supporting Web3 His favorite experiences in previous companies
    00:06:53 What made William study philosophy and his PTSD from the writing day
    00:09:33 His experience working at a financial broker
    00:12:15 How William discovered blockchain
    00:14:23 William talks about his experience working at Adiverse
    00:20:14 William's take on Cardano’s role in emerging markets and the academic nature of Cardano
    00:22:39 William shares his personal interests and language skills
    00:28:51 An in-depth look at UmrahCash and its mission
    00:32:18 Understanding the demand for pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
    00:32:55 Challenges related to currency for pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia
    00:34:52 The solution that UmrahCash has built
    00:36:29 How UmrahCash works under the hood
    00:38:01 Traction of UmrahCash
    00:41:28 Overview of the pilgrimage process and logistics
    00:44:17 How technology supports pilgrimage operations
    00:45:34 How the fund movement works in UmrahCash
    00:48:16 Addressing capital flight and regulatory compliance
    00:50:08 William's thought on designing a user-friendly experience for customers
    00:54:07 The team behind UmrahCash and company structure
    00:56:52 Challenges facing UmrahCash
    01:01:30 Working permits in Saudi Arabia
    01:03:52 Islamic finance and cryptocurrency
    01:05:40 Where to follow William
    01:06:16 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow William and his company:
    William's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wjphelps/
    William's Twitter: https://x.com/wphelps_
    UmrahCash website: https://www.umrahcash.com/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 7 min
  • Solving the Blockchain Trilemma: Chris Chabot on the Future of Shardeum

    In the 50th episode of Colors of Web3 and Entrepreneurship, we chat with Chris Chabot, VP of Developer Relations at Shardeum. Chris has spent over two decades in the tech industry, building communities and fostering innovation at companies like Google, Twitter, and Amazon.

    Chris shares his insights on the evolution of technology and the transformative potential of Web3. We discuss Shardeum's unique approach to solving the blockchain trilemma, the importance of open source development, and their mission to make decentralization accessible to everyone. Tune in to hear Chris's inspiring vision for a more inclusive and equitable future powered by Web3!
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:34 Lam introduces the show and guest Chris Chabot
    00:01:03 Chris's professional background and his inspiration
    00:06:15 His favorite experience among the FAANG company
    00:08:27 Role of Developer Relations
    00:14:19 How Chris discovered Web3
    00:18:12 Fun Fact: Chris's Hobbies
    00:19:18 Introducing Shardeum: decentralization for everyone
    00:23:20 Founding Story of Shardeum
    00:25:20 The team behind Shardeum
    00:28:50 Running a Shardeum Validator Node
    00:30:02 Consensus algorithm of Shardeum
    00:34:42 Security Audits and Bug Bounties with Immunefi
    00:37:44 Shardeum's Unique Advantages
    00:42:09 Challenges and Hurdles for Shardeum
    00:44:44 Upcoming milestones for Shardeum and learnings from previous testnets
    00:46:33 Partnerships and infrastructure for Shardeum
    00:49:31 The decentralization plan for Shardeum
    00:51:00 The Future of Web3: Exciting New Use Cases
    00:54:47 Chris's take on dominant programming languages in Web3
    00:58:09 How to onboarding 1 billion people in Web3
    01:02:45 Advice for people who want to break into Web3
    01:03:52 Where to follow Chris
    01:04:58 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Chris and his company:
    Chris's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabotc/
    Chris's Twitter: https://x.com/chabotc
    Shardeum website: https://shardeum.org/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 6 min
  • From Signals Intelligence to Cybersecurity Startup: Eddy Almand's Journey

    In episode 49 of Colors of Web3 & Entrepreneurship, we sit down with Eddy Almand, the founder and CEO of Almata, a cybersecurity company based in Japan. Eddy takes us on a fascinating journey through his career, starting from his days as a Signals Intelligence Analyst for the US Army to his foray into the world of entrepreneurship. We discuss his transition from services to product-based business, the challenges of building a tech startup in Japan, and the importance of cybersecurity in today's interconnected world.

    Eddy also sheds light on Almata’s innovative products, Eagle Talon and Eagle Eye, which utilize AI and automation to provide effective and affordable cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes. Tune in to learn valuable insights about the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the future of tech innovation in Japan.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:26 Lam introduces the show and guest Eddy Altman
    00:01:44 Eddy’s background: From military intelligence to cybersecurity
    00:02:25 Transition from military to government and startups
    00:05:16 What the work of an intelligence analyst means
    00:07:25 Eddy explains about the Five Eyes Alliance
    00:13:07 Why Eddy moved to Bahrain in the past
    00:15:15 Eddy's personal hobbies and interests
    00:17:43 Introduction to Almata and the company’s mission
    00:21:19 His company work in Web3 security
    00:23:52 Impact of COVID on business and the shift to product development
    00:27:01 His company product in vulnerability management in cybersecurity
    00:30:27 Zero-Day vulnerabilities explained
    00:36:42 HIs company products: Eagle Talon to secure supply chain and Eagle Eyes to identify cyber risks
    00:42:50 How cyber insurance can help businesses manage risks
    00:45:19 His company's preferred business model
    00:49:32 The team behind Almata and the opportunity for cybersecurity in Japan
    00:55:09 Challenges facing Almata
    00:58:10 His company's competitors in the Japan market
    01:01:56 AI’s rise and competitive advantage in business
    01:05:58 How cybersecurity will evolve in the next few years
    01:09:52 How can small and medium enterprises fight cybercrime to protect themselves
    01:13:10 Eddy’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in tech in Japan
    01:14:37 Where to follow Eddy
    01:16:00 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Eddy and his company:
    Eddy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddy-almand/
    Almata website: https://www.almata.co.jp/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 17 min
  • Blockchain Transformation: Bridging the Gap Between Web2 and Web3 with Matthew Van Niekerk

    In episode 48 of Colors of Web3 & Entrepreneurship, join us for an insightful discussion with Matthew Van Niekerk, co-founder and CEO of SettleMint, a pioneering platform that's simplifying the integration of blockchain technology for businesses. Matthew's journey, from traditional finance to embracing the transformative power of blockchain, offers a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of Web3.

    In this episode, we'll explore SettleMint's approach to blockchain transformation, which goes beyond just the technology. We'll discuss the importance of addressing the people and process aspects of integration, closing skill gaps and enabling businesses to seamlessly harness the benefits of blockchain. Matthew shares real-world examples of how SettleMint is empowering clients like Lexus, Coca-Cola, and Standard Chartered, showcasing the diverse applications of blockchain across industries. Discover how SettleMint's platform is bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3, enabling businesses to enhance efficiency, unlock new revenue streams, and navigate the exciting world of blockchain.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:58 Matthew's introduction and background
    00:02:26 Discovering blockchain technology while working in banking
    00:03:42 Matthew's Global Journey and the Transition to Belgium
    00:06:26 His role as internal consultant at the bank
    00:11:20 A Glimpse into Matthew's Hobbies
    00:12:03 His snowboarding venture in Japan
    00:13:34 The Origin Story of SettleMint
    00:14:31 How Matthew met his co-founder of SettleMint, Roderik
    00:15:52 The reason why his old bank with 5000 developers couldn't develop blockchain application in-house
    00:17:31 SettleMint's Holistic Approach to Blockchain Transformation
    00:23:03 SettleMint's platform as the complete solution to integrate blockchain applications
    00:29:44 Integrate blockchain with existing systems
    00:33:46 Use cases from past clients of SettleMint
    00:45:10 SettleMint's Team and Culture
    00:48:42 Business models of SettleMint
    00:49:13 Challenges facing SettleMint
    00:51:04 How Matthew sees the future of Web3 adoption and the role of hybrid solutions
    00:54:03 Example of a "hybrid" solution - crowdfunding platform
    00:56:33 How to onboard 10,000 Web2 Corporations into Web3
    00:57:58 Lessons learned after years of building SettleMint
    01:01:08 Where to follow Matthew and SettleMint
    01:02:15 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Matthew and check out his company products:
    Matthew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceosettlemint/
    SettleMint website: https://www.settlemint.com/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 4 min
  • From Tesla Engineer to Web3 CEO: Building the Ronyn Wallet

    In the 47th episode of Colors of Web3 & Entrepreneurship, Veda Sadhak, the CEO and founder of Ronyn Wallet, joins the show to discuss his fascinating journey from electrical engineering to the world of Web3. Learn about his experience working at Tesla during the launch of the Model 3, his early interest in Bitcoin, and the inspiration behind creating Ronyn Wallet. Veda shares his insights on the future of self-custody, the challenges and opportunities of the Web3 space, and his advice for aspiring Web3 entrepreneurs.

    Discover why he believes hardware wallets are crucial for onboarding the next billion users into Web3 and how Ronyn Wallet is making self-custody simple, accessible, and user-friendly. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the evolving landscape of Web3 and the role of innovative solutions like Ronyn Wallet in shaping the future of finance and technology.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:54 Veda's background and journey to Web3
    00:01:41 Working at Tesla during the Model 3 Launch
    00:03:58 Battery recycling and sustainability
    00:06:34 Experience at Tesla's Gigafactory
    00:09:37 Engineering roles and responsibilities at Teslas
    00:12:11 How Veda entered the crypto space
    00:16:17 Veda's personal hobbies and interests
    00:19:28 The Founding Story of Ronyn Wallet
    00:24:06 Building the MVP and scaling operations
    00:30:15 The main target users of Ronyn Wallet
    00:36:08 The team behind Ronyn Wallet
    00:37:25 Building a hardware company remotely
    00:40:40 Applying Tesla's Engineering Principles
    00:45:40 Main challenges facing Veda's company
    00:48:11 The Future of Web3 Hardware Wallets
    00:58:39 Advice for Aspiring Web3 Entrepreneurs
    01:01:40 Where to Follow Veda and Ronyn Wallet
    01:04:48 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Veda and check out his company products:
    Mobile app: https://ronynwallets.com/mobile/
    Hardware Wallet: https://ronynwallets.com/vault
    15% Discount link for Vault (hardware wallet):
    https://buy.stripe.com/00g5nU9LRgXt9JS5km
    Veda's Twitter/X: https://x.com/vs4dhak
    Veda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veda-sadhak/
    His free e-book: https://ronynwallets.com/book
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My latest article: https://lamweb3.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-decentralized-science
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 6 min
  • Organic Web3 Recruiting: Building Authentic Connections feat. Kornel Kot from W3CONN3CT

    In the 46th episode of Colors of Web3 and Entrepreneurship, Lam sit down with Kornel Kot, founder and CEO of W3CONN3CT, a unique recruitment agency specializing in the Web3 space. Kornel shares his journey from the world of artificial intelligence to becoming a leading figure in connecting top talent with exciting Web3 projects.
    Discover what sets W3CONN3CT apart as an "organic" recruitment agency. Kornel explains their hands-on approach, emphasizing real-life engagement through workshops, hackathons, and building genuine relationships within the Web3 community. Learn how this strategy benefits both job seekers and employers, fostering a more meaningful and effective recruitment experience.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:28 Introduction to the show and guest - Kornel Kot, founder and CEO of W3CONN3CT
    00:01:38 Kornel's professional experience in translation and artificial intelligence (AI)
    00:04:15 How Kornel learned about Web3
    00:07:07 Becoming Head of Blockchain Recruitment for a Web2 company
    00:11:57 Founding W3CONN3CT and its Mission
    00:15:10 W3CONN3CT's organic approach to recruitment
    00:17:01 The role of education in Web3 recruitment
    00:19:20 Challenges of Hiring Fresh Graduates in Web3
    00:24:46 The W3CONN3CT Team and their clients portfolio
    00:27:30 Challenges facing W3CONN3CT and Kornel
    00:30:07 W3CONN3CT's business model
    00:31:30 What Kornel doesn't like about the traditional recruitment industry
    00:34:35 The Future of Web3 Recruitment
    00:36:36 Advice for Web3 Job Seekers
    00:39:07 Where to Follow Kornel Kot
    00:40:19 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Kornel:
    Kornel's Twitter/X: https://x.com/kxrnel
    Kornel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kornel-kot-121b17174/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My latest article: https://lamweb3.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-decentralized-science
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    41 min
  • From Finance to Tech: Bojan's Journey to Building a Global Dev Shop

    In this 45th episode of Colors Web3 and Entrepreneurship, Lam sits down with Bojan Najdov, founder of Lambda Group, a staff augmentation company specializing in connecting businesses with top tech talent from South Africa and the Balkans.
    Bojan takes us on his entrepreneurial journey, beginning with his background in finance and his transition to the world of technology. He shares his experiences with cryptocurrency trading and mining, including both the highs of the 2017 bull run and the lows of market crashes and scams. We learn about the genesis of Lambda Group, his transition from a traditional dev shop to a staff augmentation model, and the strategic reasons behind focusing on talent from South Africa and the Balkans.
    Bojan provides valuable insights on the challenges and rewards of running a fully remote, contractor-based business and how he leverages technology like AI and automation to maximize efficiency and scale his operations.
    ⌛ Timestamps:
    00:00:00 Episode trailer
    00:00:25 Introduction to the show and guest - Bojan Najdov, founder of Lambda Group
    00:01:26 Bojan's professional experience in banking and finance
    00:04:22 Bojan's big-fish, small-pond strategy that landed him in South Africa
    00:06:47 How Bojan learned about Web3
    00:09:38 His entrepreneurial experience mining Bitcoin and Ethereum
    00:14:35 Bojan's experience "surviving" 2 crypto cycles
    00:17:57 Bojan’s hobbies outside of Web3
    00:22:05 His experience leading the credit and market risk department at a big bank in South Africa before Covid lockdown
    00:23:57 Does a bank's department need 250 people? Discussion about productivity at Lambda Group
    00:27:08 Deep dive into Lambda Group, from dev shop to staff augmentation
    00:30:44 Early challenges, lessons learned, and pivoting the business model
    00:33:44 A Web3 project that his company took on
    00:35:24 The original founders of Lambda Group and the team behind the company
    00:36:36 His rationale for focusing on SME's and not on big corporations
    00:42:05 A typical day in of an entrepreneur
    00:43:15 The importance of having a strong sales funnel
    00:43:48 Discussion about entrepreneurship
    00:45:15 Successful marketing strategies: the power of cold emailing
    00:49:11 Transferable skills that can be learned from entrepreneurship
    00:51:22 Working a full-time job in investment banking while starting Lambda Group
    00:54:01 Building a side hustle while holding a full-time job - Having optionality
    00:57:01 Bojan's preference on how he prefers to run his business
    01:01:58 Leveraging technology and automation to overcome solopreneurs' bottlenecks
    01:06:37 Business is all about distribution
    01:09:07 Discussion about selling a business
    01:11:17 Qualities of a successful entrepreneur: perseverance, a "chip on your shoulder", resourcefulness
    01:16:32 Where to follow Bojan online
    01:17:42 Episode outro and next episode preview
    Follow Bojan and his company:
    Bojan's Twitter/X: https://x.com/bojan_najdov
    Bojan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bojan-najdov/
    Lambda Group website: https://www.lambdagroup.io/
    My social media:
    Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠
    Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠
    My latest article: https://lamweb3.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-decentralized-science
    If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!

    1 hr 19 min

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Ever found yourself fascinated by the dynamic universe of AI and technology or intrigued by the entrepreneurial journeys of visionary leaders? Welcome to Colors of Tech &…