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Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guest today is Luc Schurgers, co-founder and CEO of DNABlock Animations Studio. Luc has had a diverse career, working in advertising with notable brands like Ray Bans, Levis, and Nissan, as well as stand-alone projects with the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final, and Ethernia - Cryptowars. He describes himself as a left/right brain thinker, combining his technical expertise in computer science with his creative passion for animation. DNABlocks has so far raised $7m in seed funding and anticipates launching its full product line in July of 2023.
Luc explains how his experiences led him to found DNABlock Animations Studio, driven by his desire to create a content creation tool by using a game engine. DNABlock is a platform that focuses on creating 3D models at scale for use throughout mediums in Web3. Luc explains the journey of building a procedural system to generate a billion different avatars. A process that took two and a half years to accomplish. He explains how DNABlock's goal is to democratize 3D model creation and that it has already garnered interest from professionals seeking to leverage its capabilities.
Later in the episode, Luc explains how the integration of DNABlock with blockchain technology and Web3 allows for token-gating content and digital assets. Luc demonstrates the character creation process in DNABlock, showcasing its capabilities and how it leverages LLM APIs to maximize efficiency in video content creation and script writing. The APIs also integrate sentiment analysis and a self-improving animation system into their APIs, which further enhances the efficiencies over time.
The blockchain tie-in allows every aspect of character creation to be turned into an NFT, granting token-gated content access. This feature enables music video artists, for example, to offer exclusive content to their community through airdrops and live events. Luc describes how the suite of software included in DNABlock's Replikant product has already attracted significant interest, particularly in light of canceled shows and reduced production budgets.
DNABlock will offer a subscription-based service where AI APIs can be integrated, and NFTs can be transferred, bought, or sold, opening up new revenue streams for content creators.
Looking ahead, DNABlock plans to continue developing the product, explore opportunities in game creation, find clients, and focus on customer support through tutorial creation. Interested creators can join the waitlist on the DNABlock website to receive a Steam key for the platform.
***Timestamps***
0:00 - Luc Schurgers Background
4:45 - Limits of traditional animation
8:00 - Interactive Adidas Soccer Campaign (UEFA 2012)
9:48 - Limits of traditional advertising
13:37 - First Entrepreneurial experience
15:40 - Introducing DNABlock Animations Studio
18:40 - Bitcoin Mining
20:48 - Creating 3D models at scale
27:35 - DNABlock ties into Blockchain and Web3
28:55 - Issues of integrating NFTs into the game space (Fortnite)
30:35 - DNABlock ecosystem
33:50 - Live Demo of character creation in DNABlock
44:28 - Use Cases for DNABlock
45:30 - Business and Revenue Model
55:10 - Script Writing
1:00:00 - Example Script
1:03:36 - Blockchain Tie in for finished products
1:11:22 - Where does DNABlock go now
***Additional Resources***
Youtube - @dnablock.studio
Twitter - DNABlock - @DNABLOCK
Luc Shurgers - @Shurgenator
Web - Dnablock.com
Discord - DNABLOCK
Instagram - @dnablock.ai
TikTok -@dnablock
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guests on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Bankless Consulting Twitter
Bankless Consulting LinkedIn
Bankless Consulting Newsletter
Early Podcast on YouTube
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guest today is Anthony Leutenegger, the Head of the Growth guild at Aragon. In this episode he discusses the background and future of Aragon, a platform that enables decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to launch and manage themselves. Aragon has been instrumental in facilitating the operations of various well-known DAOs such as Lido and Decentraland.
Leutenegger shares insights into the challenges faced by Aragon and how they have been addressed. He emphasizes the intricacies of DAOs, which must adhere to their code and voting mechanisms. Aragon aims to create a space for builders and envisions on-chain DAOs as the equivalent of a legal framework with a few exceptions. The podcast also delves into the balance between on-chain and off-chain activities for Aragon. While all DAO work occurs on-chain, some regulatory aspects necessitate off-chain processes. Aragon plans to continue developing token-based voting offerings, enhancing the democratic decision-making within the ecosystem.
Leutenegger explores the concept of governance structures for larger versus smaller companies. He suggests that larger organizations, with consistent revenue streams, are better suited for running fully on-chain DAOs. This approach leverages the industry expertise and broader perspective of individuals with extensive experience, rather than being solely focused on day-to-day operations.
The conversation touches on the potential adoption of DAO systems by Fortune 500 companies in the future. While there may be limits to the decision-making authority, companies can utilize this technology to engage stakeholders, such as allowing them to vote on design choices.
Finally, Leutenegger identifies his dream clients for Aragon, including collaboration with Polygon and working with organizations like UNICEF that could benefit from DAO technology in the context of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Overall, this podcast provides valuable insights into Aragon's background, challenges, and future plans, highlighting the potential of DAOs in various industries.
***Timestamps***
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guest today is Patrick Workman, the VP of Growth & Partnerships at Unlock Protocol. Patrick has worked at prominent companies like Google, Instagram, Pinterest, Experian, and Instagram. Patrick begins by discussing the background of the Unlock Protocol, a platform that leverages NFT technology to create memberships. He highlights the value that Unlock brings to companies by enabling them to generate predictable and recurring revenue through on-chain subscriptions and time-locked memberships.
The conversation then turns to the evolution of crypto-wallets. Patrick emphasizes the need for greater accessibility to wallets, enabling a larger audience to participate in the crypto space. He also discusses the AlphaTweet application, as well as highlighting the benefits of blockchain technology for enabling sustainable micro-transactions.
Patrick also touches on the importance of reducing reliance on large online platforms and third-party payment processors, empowering creators to make a living on their own terms. He references the book "Long-Tails" and discusses the infrastructure available to independent artists and creators through Web3, emphasizing the need for improved distribution.
The episode concludes with Patrick speculating on when we will witness the first "Mega-band" fully embracing Web3 for their content. He references token-gated ticket sales as an early example of what is possible.
In the closing moments, Patrick shares his dream projects, which include working with Unlock Protocol on token-gating subscriptions with Netflix and exploring on-chain advertising. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the intersection of NFTs, membership platforms, crypto-wallet accessibility, and the future of Web3 for creators and the entertainment industry.
***Timestamps***
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guests today are Nick and Marcus from Rumble Kong League (RKL), who discuss their journey in the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the gaming industry, respectively. Nick, an experienced DeFi enthusiast, has been involved in the space for years, while Marcus has a background in the gaming industry, particularly in the realm of "Free to Play" games.
The conversation revolves around their joint venture, the Rumble Kong League (RKL), a project they dedicated three years to developing. RKL gained significant traction during the DeFi summer, and the hosts delve into how the community grew around it. They attribute the community's expansion to the PFP (Profile Picture) experience, which involves using unique profile pictures as a means of participation and engagement.
The vision for RKL's ecosystem revolves around basketball culture, encompassing elements like basketball gameplay, fashion, and artistry. The team has collaborated with brands, such as Gatorade, and work with NBA athletes to benefit the RKL community. They emphasize the importance of building communities and community engagement through the concept of "Clubs" within RKL.
Throughout the conversation, DSide shares his own experiences with RKL & his own RKL club, adding a personal touch to the discussion. The hosts also touch upon the close alignment between RKL's development and the community, indicating that the project is constantly evolving based on community feedback and involvement.
The hosts express their drive to continue building the RKL game, driven by a desire to contribute and lead within the Web3 ecosystem. They stress the importance of building the right product and continuously iterating based on community feedback.
Looking toward the future, the hosts share RKL's 10-year vision, which includes the creation of a full sports ecosystem built around RKL that extends to all sports like the NFL, NHL, and golf. Overall, this podcast episode offers insights into the journey of Nick and Marcus, the growth of the RKL community, the vision for RKL's ecosystem, and the team's commitment to building a successful game within the Web3 space.
***Timestamps***
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guest today is HPayne, a seasoned marketer and blockchain expert who is presently the Marketing Director of ShapeShift, one of the world's largest non-custodial crypto exchanges. HPayne has over a decade of expertise in the IT business and has played an important role in determining how people interact with and comprehend blockchain technology.
In this podcast episode, we learn about ShapeShift's background, starting in 2014 as a permissionless way to swap cryptocurrencies. The discussion then moves to why ShapeShift shifted from a centralized to a decentralized model. HPayne explains that the cost of doing business was too high, including legal and regulatory costs. Centralization also increased friction in trading, leading to the decision to embrace decentralization.
The conversation touches on the regulation of centralized exchanges (CEXes) versus the place for decentralized exchanges (DEXes). The benefits and challenges of operating within a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) are explored, highlighting the great community participation that ShapeShift enjoys.
The podcast also delves into ShapeShift's approach to real-life (IRL) community building and the importance of user interfaces in DeFi (Decentralized Finance). HPayne shares his thoughts on the Gnosis Chain and Ethereum's potential long-term dominance. We learn about HPayne's history in the music industry, working as an artist manager and with a music agency and how he believes that blockchain will revolutionize music ownership.
The episode concludes with a discussion on the big innovations coming to ShapeShift and HPayne's dream project at the company. Overall, this podcast provides valuable insights into the world of ShapeShift, blockchain technology, DeFi, and the future of finance and ownership.
***Timestamps***
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guest today is David Phelps, CEO of JokeDAO, a platform that enables on-chain contests and decision-making. They delve into various topics surrounding blockchain technology and its potential impact on everyday people.
David shares his favorite use cases of blockchain, highlighting the importance of investing in blockchain infrastructure and use cases that address the needs and desires of regular individuals in the Web3 world. He mentions projects like ZKTech, Inter-Blockchain Communication Protocol from Cosmos, the Arweave Ecosystem, and the potential of Web3 social media platforms that allow users to own and control their data across different platforms.
The discussion moves on to the problems that blockchain can solve for the everyday person, exploring its potential for transparency, security, and decentralized governance. David also shares his thoughts on the development of DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) governance, acknowledging the current challenges while expressing optimism for future improvements.
The conversation then shifts to the generations of crypto, with David highlighting the different focuses and priorities of the (self-coined) Bitcoin libertarians of 2014, the DeFi enthusiasts of 2017, and the DAO & community-focused individuals of 2020. He emphasizes the need to continuously learn and adapt in the ever-evolving crypto space.
The podcast explores the intersection of AI and blockchain development, discussing the strengths of AI in subjective tasks and its limitations in objective tasks such as pattern matching. David also touches on the topic of tokenization, stating that while not everything needs to be tokenized, a core token such as Ethereum can serve as the foundation for various use cases across society.
The conversation concludes with insights into the globalization of crypto and the cultural differences in crypto adoption between Japan and the USA. David shares his thoughts on the future of crypto and his dream project in the Web3 space.
Throughout the episode, David shares personal anecdotes, adding a lighthearted touch to the conversation. Overall, this episode provides listeners with a deeper understanding of blockchain technology, its potential applications, and the evolving landscape of the crypto world.
***Timestamps***
0:00 - David Phelps & JokeDAO Background
2:10 - David's Favorite Use Case
5:19 - David's Angel Investments
13:04 - What problems will Blockchain solve for the everyday person?
20:25 - Thoughts on the development of DAO Governance
22:50 - The generations of crypto
26:00 - The next generation of crypto
29:00 - AI & Blockchain development
30:40 - Does everything need to be tokenized?
35:00 - Will the big brains in crypto go global over Americans?
36:55 - Crypto culture in Japan vs. USA
39:30 - Where is the future of crypto going?
46:20 - Dream project in Web3
49:30 - David's favorite comedians
***Additional Resources***
David Phelps Twitter (@devine_economy)
Joke DAO website
Arweave.org
Davidphelps.substack.com
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Bankless Consulting Twitter
Bankless Consulting LinkedIn
Bankless Consulting Newsletter
Early Podcast on YouTube
Welcome to EARLY, web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
Sergio is a strategy buff with a passion for design and a knack for solving business puzzles. He once believed he would be a political analyst, but then I discovered the joy of strategy and facilitation.
In his career he has worked on political campaigns, non-profit projects, startups and even started his own design studio. Over the past four years, Sergio has been exploring the web3 universe, helping businesses to leverage blockchain technology and create sustainable, resilient communities.
At Bankless Consulting, Sergio has orchestrated remote synchronous and async workshops with up to 20 participants, designed decision-making frameworks, and conducted intricate tokenized governance experiments. Sergio is one of the wizards of web3 at BC and he's an awesome team player.
In this episode Sergio discusse his obsession with a bottom-up governance protocol called JokeDAO, which rewards participants for voting correctly. He sees potential in using this kind of incentive structure at larger scales to encourage more participation in democratic processes. Sergio and DSide also cover the risks and benefits of such protocols. Should DAO voting be based on the quantity of token ownership (one token, one vote)? Should it be based on one vote per wallet? If so, what are the best ways to prevent gaming of that system in the form of Sybil Attacks?
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guests today are Siva Avvaru & Jay Steinback, of yWhales, who discuss the potential of Web3 technologies and their impact on various industries. They begin by discussing the goals of the yWhales podcast & greater team, which aims to understand how traditional businesses can leverage Web3 technologies and the future of the industry.
The conversation then shifts to the recent hesitancy surrounding Web3 due to public perception and regulatory concerns, particularly in the United States. However, they highlight the growing interest and support from countries like Germany and the UK, which are actively fostering the Web3 market and attracting talent for EU-based initiatives.
The guests provide insights into the different arms of yWhales, including venture capitalism, solutions & professional consulting, labs & the metaverse, and digital assets & regulations. They emphasize the potential in the future of eliminating paper from global financial systems and of blockchain technology expediting processes like validating financial credibility in real estate transactions.
The episode concludes with discussions on blockchain data ownership, the need for collaboration between banks and cryptocurrencies, major use cases of the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), and the dream projects of Siva and Jay, which involve solving the data problem in healthcare. Throughout the podcast, Siva and Jay provide valuable insights into the current state and future potential of Web3 technologies, highlighting their practical applications and the challenges that need to be overcome for widespread adoption.
***Timestamps***
0:00 - Siva & Jay backgrounds
4:00 - yWhales recent Podcast guest backgrounds
6:55 - How has recent public hesitancy in Web3 affected your guests?
12:03 - Background on yWhales Enterprises other arms
13:21 - Most interesting Web3 ideas yWhales is working on
19:40 - Main hurdles seen in enabling present-day business on the Blockchain & global adoption?
24:35 - Thoughts on today's biggest NFT Loyalty programs (i.e. Starbucks Odyssey)
31:28 - The need for increased Legal expertise in Web3
36:01 - Siva & Jay's take on ChatGPT capabilities
41:35 - Deep-dive on Blockchain data ownership
49:45 - Developing relationships between Banks & Cryptocurrencies
53:05 - Major use cases of ENS (Ethereum Name Service)
61:20 - Siva & Jay's dream projects
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guest today is Kristie Holden, a marketing & growth consultant for startups trying to scale. She is the founder of Kristie Holden Consulting with a focus on marketing & growth strategies and execution for B2B SaaS startups & Web3. She is also the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-founder of PurpleMeta, a consulting and technology company working with commercial brands and established artists in entertainment, retail, and beyond to expand their brand through NFTs and blockchain technology.
In this episode Kristie discusses the current projects she is involved in, focusing on Web3 loyalty programs, and strategy and marketing for fashion and music brands. She emphasizes the shift from buying a brand in Web2 to building a brand in Web3, with a focus on building long-term relationships with customers.
Holden delves into the adoption of Web3 loyalty programs by traditional companies, highlighting the need for a mindset shift and leveraging new technologies. She praises Starbucks' approach with their Odyssey program, starting with a smart MVP approach to test the market before educating customers on NFTs. Web3 loyalty programs offer advantages such as easier tracking of customer preferences, reducing counterfeits, and opening up new revenue streams.
The conversation moves on to the growth of the Metaverse, which Holden believes will be driven by the younger generation, more affordable and user-friendly technology, and virtual experiences for concerts and sporting events. Web3 loyalty programs offer advantages for everyday consumers, such as investments instead of instant transactions, closer brand connections, and participation in market research.
The episode concludes with a deep dive into Holden's work with her company, Purple Meta, and her blog, BlockchainBabe.xyz. She shares her dream Web3 project, envisioning innovative applications of technology in the future. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into Web3 loyalty programs, their advantages, and their potential impact on various industries.
***Timestamps***
0:00 - Kristie's Current Projects
4:35 - How well have traditional companies adopted the new way to build loyalty programs with Web3?
6:10 - Thoughts on the Starbucks Odyssey Web3 loyalty program
8:55 - What are the advantages of Web3 vs. Web2 loyalty programs for organizations?
11:00 - What's going to continue to grow adoption of the Metaverse?
16:28 - What are the advantages of Web3 loyalty programs for the everyday consumer?
20:45 - Web3's direction in the music industry & brand awareness space
29:15 - For your clients, what are the dynamics of their community?
34:01 - How does today's technology play into your day-to-day career?
35:25 - How does Kristie make clients comfortable with new technology?
39:20 - Deep-dive into Kristie's work: 1. Her company Purple Meta & 2. Her blog, BlockchainBabe.xyz
44:40 - Kristie's dream Web3 Project
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.
DSide's guests today are Eric and Ethan Parker, the founders of Giddy, a mobile crypto wallet that is designed to make self-custody easy and accessible for everyone. In this episode, they discuss this mission and how their focus on User Experience is crucial in achieving this goal.
The idea for Giddy started as an ad-hoc consulting business, where they showed clients how to onboard onto DeFi and manage their private keys. They discovered that private keys were a significant barrier to entry for many people because of their complexity. Giddy's breakthrough was finding a balance between security and ease-of-use and enabling average people to recover their private keys if mismanaged, reducing the risk of a single point of failure.
In terms of upcoming features for Giddy, they are focused on improving staking efficiency, increasing the number of staking pools provided by the app, and onboarding onto ETH Mainnet. The founders also discuss how they see DeFi continuing to disrupt the traditional finance industry. They believe that DeFi will eventually become mainstream, and traditional financial institutions will have to adapt or risk becoming irrelevant.
Overall, Eric and Ethan Parker's insights into the current and future state of DeFi wallet technology were fascinating, and their mission to make DeFi accessible to everyone is admirable. It will be exciting to see how Giddy continues to evolve and innovate in this space!
***Timestamps***
0:00 - Eric & Ethan Parker Background
4:30 - Pathway from intro into DeFi to the founding of Giddy
7:05 - The Mission of Giddy
10:41 - High-level background on Gas Fees on Giddy
13:25 - Why did you choose Polygon for your first blockchain?
15:20 - What are some key considerations in Private Key Technology?
30:11 - Thoughts on the current-state of the native mobile wallet sector?
24:21 - Giddy's future blockchain targets
30:11 - Thoughts on the future-state of the native mobile wallet sector?
32:24 - New features upcoming for Giddy
34:20 - How do you see DeFi continue to disrupt the TradFi industry?
38:20 - What other industries are ripe for Web3 Tech?
***Additional Resources***
If you found this show informative, enlightening, fun, or just plain fire - please leave us a review on Apple podcasts to help us grow!
Be sure to follow us and our guest on social media to unlock the latest web3 alpha.
***Links***
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