Topic:   Startups

Metaverse infrastructure, interoperability, ChatGPT, and the future of online experiences :: with Alex Shalash

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Alex Shalash (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-shalash/, co-founder of https://www.metaengine.gg/) and I discuss metaverse infrastructure and interoperability. We talk about how MetaEngine started, the technical aspects of how their platform works, who should build on it, how GPT4/ChatGPT will change the game, and the future of online experiences.

MADworld.io: Web3 strategies for streetwear, music, anime, and sports around the world :: with Phillip Tran

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Phillip Tran (https://mobile.twitter.com/ptran, CMO at https://madworld.io/) and I discuss Web3 strategies for IRL and specific market verticals. We talk about how MADWorld is partnering with key brands, plans in LA and Miami this week, advice for new Web3 entrepreneurs, commentary on the current market, and recommendations for how those new to Web3 can get up to speed.

Low-code/no-code vs. traditional code for building Minimal Viable Products (MVPs) :: with Nick Wilger

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Nick Wilger (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-wilger/) and I discuss all-things low-code/no-code from the perspective of an aspiring tech entrepreneur. We talk about Nick’s background getting into the space, what founders need to know about tools like Bubble, how to think about “product” setups and roles, working with Figma, and more about Nick’s accelerator (https://effycientaccelerator.com) for training low-code/no-code developers.

NFTs, NFL Rivals, Mythical Games, and the future of Web3 gaming :: with Billy Schautz

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Billy Schautz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bschautz/, https://mythicalgames.com/) and I discuss Mythical Games’ new NFT drop and upcoming game, NFL Rivals (https://nfl.rivals.game/). We discuss Billy’s background in gaming, NFT market conditions, Mythical’s tech stack and NFT dynamics, and the future of Web3 gaming.

Web3 marketing, emerging technology, and timeless advice for founders :: with Gordon Meyer

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Gordon Meyer (https://twitter.com/gordonmeyerjr) and I talk about marketing, community building, and the effect that emerging technologies like Web3 will have on the future of growing startups. We talk about the aspects of Web3 that Gordon is most excited about, power shifts and disintermediation, the attention economy, and advice for entrepreneurs starting from the ground up.

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) for the Crypto/Web3 community: The Endaoment.org story :: with Robbie Heeger

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Robbie Heeger (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rheeger/) - President and CEO at https://endaoment.org/ - and I talk about how Endaoment allows crypto holders to create Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). We talk about how Endaoment works from both the donor side and the nonprofit side, the (very reasonable) fee structure, new token models in Web3 philanthropy, and the general practice of donating to DAFs in order to not rush the process of subsequently donating to nonprofits/NGOs.

Venture-building as a venture capitalist, and insights into Web3 for customer acquisition and retention :: with Jonathan Hung

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Jonathan Hung (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhung/) and I discuss all-things venture building/investing, his work as a venture capitalist, and the story of his startup, Kitchen Data Systems (https://kitchdata.com/). We talk about advice for emerging fund managers, how founders and startup investors should be thinking about the current state of the market, the potential for Web3, interesting startup markets for investing, and general advice for entrepreneurs today.

A call to action for Web3 entrepreneurs

Will's General Newsletter (Weekly) :: Oct 11, 2022

Web3 product management and decentralized executive leadership: A call to action

In this episode of Ventures, I (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wclittle/) share a short monologue about Web3, product management, and leadership in Web3 startups, especially in Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). I talk briefly about the history of Web1/2/3, Balaji Srinivasan’s book The Network State, a call-to-action for Web3 product managers and leaders, and how to distribute key CEO-like responsibilities in DAOs.

How to generate compelling startup ideas :: with Mike Anderson

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Mike Anderson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeandersonjr/) and I discuss all-things startup ideation in the modern era. In light of this being the topic of Week 1 of Prota’s new incubator (https://www.protaventures.com/labs), we dive into what makes a good idea, what makes a bad idea, how and why to integrate your idea with your own skills and knowledge of a market, how to reverse-engineer ideas based on what investors and consumers want, why finding startup ideas has changed over the years, and the importance of maintaining vision and grit through challenging seasons of startup life.

Web3 gaming, token incentives, and deciding between for-profit and non-profit when starting a venture

Will's General Newsletter (Weekly) :: Sept 27, 2022

Web3 gaming, designing token incentives, and the Haste Arcade story :: with Joe De Pinto

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Joe De Pinto (Co-Founder of https://www.HasteArcade.com) and I discuss his entrepreneurial journey from being a professional baseball player to starting a Web3 company. We talk about his choice to build on BSV, what that experience has been like, the types of games that are available in the arcade, the marketing strategies his team has used, entrepreneurial lessons learned, Web3 features deployed, and overall thoughts about the promise of Web3.

Self-sovereign identity for sports fans, influencer engagement in web3, and the Encore.fans story :: with Mike Sorgenfrei

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Mike Sorgenfrei (https://www.linkedin.com/in/msorgenfrei/) and I discuss his web3 startup, Encore (https://encore.fans). We talk about its origin story, where Encore fits in the marketing software stack for an athlete/influencer, self-sovereign identity for fans, how Verified Credentials are being used, how to build a profile of a fan by allowing them to opt-in their data directly, and the entrepreneurial journey that Mike and his team have taken to get a web3 startup off the ground.

More details about the upcoming Oct 4th incubator (that you should apply to) :)

Will's General Newsletter (Weekly) :: Sept 12, 2022

Incubator Deep Dive: FAQ and syllabus details of the upcoming startup ideation cohort hosted by Prota Ventures (Oct 4th Start, Apply Today) :: with Mike Anderson

In this episode of Ventures, my guest Mike Anderson (https://twitter.com/MikeyAnderson) and I discuss in much greater detail the syllabus, ideal candidates, and time commitment of the new ideation incubator (https://www.protaventures.com/labs) that we introduced in episode 112 (https://satchel.works/@wclittle/ventures-episode-112). We talk in depth about the range of founders who should apply (from “pre-idea” to “pre-seed” teams), the outcomes of the incubator, info sessions on Fridays leading up to Oct 4th start, the minimal time commitment required, and a short synopsis of each of the 16 sessions of the program in October, November, and December of 2022. As a quick reminder, this incubator is free and 100% remote; we are happy to serve and welcome founders at the idea stage from all over the world.