"Can't Be Done"

Ep. 68: Using Decentralized Tech to Mobilize Unused Resources with Julian Zawistowski of Golem Network

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So many ICOs, so few products on the market. One of the rare startups that has managed to launch a decentralized product is Golem Network.

Golem runs on the same principle as Airbnb, leveraging the sharing economy of decentralized tech to connect many computers in a peer-to-peer network. The same way that Airbnb hosts mobilize their unused resources (i.e.: spare bedrooms) to generate income, Golem users lend out their available computing power, giving software developers the ability to distribute tasks that are too heavy to be computed on a single node. The result is a global, open-source supercomputer powered by the blockchain.

Julian Zawistowski is the Founder and CEO of Golem Factory, the company behind the Golem distributed network. An economist by trade, Julian is fascinated by blockchain technology and the economics of decentralized systems. Prior to his work with Golem, Julian served as a consultant and public policy researcher and that experience frames his understanding of the transformative potential of decentralized technology.

Today, Julian joins us to explain why Golem was the right kind of project for a token sale. He covers the evolution of Golem, from its inception to the current use case in CGI rendering. Julian offers insight around delivering a decentralized product, and we talk scalability—the biggest problem in the token space. Listen in as Julian shares how Golem might expand to include other use cases and learn about the blockchain’s potential to solve for the crisis of trust.


Topics Covered

Julian’s introduction to the crypto space

  • Background in economics, consulting
  • Created own software house
  • One of first projects in blockchain space
  • Learned about Ethereum in 2014

    • The idea behind Golem’s decentralized technology

    • Connect nodes in peer-to-peer network
    • Distribute tasks too heavy for single node

      • The current use case for Golem

      • CGI rendering (animation, 3D scenes)

        • Julian’s approach to fundraising for Golem

        • Initially considered venture funding
        • Shift as token economy emerged

          • Julian’s take the types of projects that work for tokens

          • Natural market within product
          • Strong network effect

            • What Golem looks like today

            • Went live in April 2018
            • 30+ team members
            • Up to 1K users per day

              • Julian’s insight on delivering a decentralized product

              • Launch NOW but consider security issues
              • Tech you depend on defines product

                • The future of Golem

                • Move into realm of machine learning, financial analysis

                  • The biggest problems in the token space

                  • Scalability is #1
                  • UX considerations

                    • How the world will change if decentralized systems succeed

                    • Eliminate dependence on institutions for trust
                    • Solve for problems in politics, financial sectors

                      • Connect with Julian

                      Golem Network https://golem.network/

                      Golem on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/GolemProject/
                      Golem Blog https://blog.golemproject.net/
                      Golem on Twitter https://twitter.com/golemproject
                      Julian on Twitter https://twitter.com/julianzawist?lang=en
                      Julian on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-zawistowski-352478

                      Resources

                      SETI@home https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/

                      Connect with Boost VC

                      Boost VC Website https://www.boost.vc/

                      Boost VC on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boostvc/
                      Boost VC on Twitter https://twitter.com/BoostVC

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