In this episode of Ventures, my guest Will Rush (https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-rush/) and I discuss his new startup, Stack (https://www.trystack.io/). Stack is all about promoting financial literacy and practical Web3/Crypto knowledge for investors under 18 years old. We talk about Stack’s five-point strategy of encouraging teens to consider long-term holding, diversification, periodic saving, engagement, and continual learning about the areas they are investing in. We also talk about NFTs, fixed-income products in DeFi, and general advice for teens looking for side hustles and entrepreneurial success.

You can watch this episode below or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts (search for “Ventures”).

2:09 - Intro/background for Will and his journey thus far

4:34 - What’s the origin story for Stack?

6:09 - What is Stack?

10:38 - The five approaches: (1) Long term holding, (2) diversification, (3) periodic saving, (4) engagement, and (5) learning

11:14 - For the quizzes / engagement, how is Stack approaching this? What is the revenue model for Stack?

12:15 - Foundations from various networks/L1s have money to invest into (or grant money to) companies like Stack. Also, the importance of basic financial literacy.

14:20 - Importance of the product to be non-cost-prohibitive. For the price of a cup of coffee per month this service can be used.

15:08 - Pulling in content from Web3 and other places. 20% about financial basics and 80% about Web3/Crypto.

16:07 - What does engagement UX look like on Stack?

18:22 - Are NFTs part of this?

19:33 - How are users receiving rewards on Stack?

20:40 - By playing video games (many types), kids are learning a ton of applicable life skills. Blowback against NFTs from the gaming community. (more commentary about NFTs)

22:26 - Forward-thinking NFT groups. How Stack can think about NFTs moving forward. Yuga labs commentary.

24:00 - Long-term/periodic savings. Fractional node providers for the upcoming Beacon chain. Staking as a fixed-income product. Liquidity pools. Superfluid staking.

27:42 - Importance of learning about the top 20 chains. Rollups/sidechains. Potential for a panel discussion on this w/ Stack.

28:52 - Diversification. Limited number of coins to start on Stack, but this will grow.

30:21 - Different types of coins. Will stablecoins be on there?

30:59 - Long-term holding on the Stack platform

31:50 - Overall value proposition of Stack. What does Stack mean about “side hustle”?

33:41 - What is it about Web3 that is so compelling to Will?

35:31 - Audience as entrepreneurs, often younger / on Reddit, etc…. Final words for entrepreneurs. Importance of being a great listener and having the courage/resilience to get past the hard times.

38:51 - Go to trystack.io and get on the waiting list. App comes out in April. iOS is the start. 90% of the Stack audience has an iPhone.

39:45 - Thoughts/reflections as a parent of teens.

40:22 - Ambassador program that Stack is going to provide…helping teens get experience to be able to get their first internship. https://www.trystack.io/ambassadors