• Exploring the SuperWorld with Hrish Lotlikar
    Oct 15 2024
    • Introduction:
      • Host: Chris welcomes special guest Hrish Lutleka, Co-founder and CEO of SuperWorld.
      • SuperWorld introduced as a virtual world in augmented reality, a digital twin of the existing world.
    • Guest Background:
      • Hrish's impressive background includes co-founding Rogue Initiative Studios and holding senior positions at renowned institutions.
      • Educational background in political science and business.
    • SuperWorld Mission:
      • Empowers users to create, discover, and monetize content globally using augmented reality.
      • Integration of web3 and virtual real estate as NFTs, dividing the world into 64 billion plots.
    • Entrepreneurial Journey:
      • Hrish's journey from management consulting to Wall Street and venture capital.
      • Exploration of Eastern Europe and co-founding Rogue Initiative Studios.
    • AR/VR Space Entry:
      • Inspired by the success of Pokemon Go, Hrish delves into the AR/VR space.
    • Life Philosophy:
      • Discussion on Hrish's positive energy and life philosophy.
      • Emphasis on pursuing passions and enjoying the entrepreneurial journey.
    • SuperWorld Applications:
      • Commercial ventures and social impact causes on the platform.
      • Examples include virtual real estate, digital art creation in the Amazon jungle, and disaster relief initiatives.
    • Web3 and NFT Integration:
      • SuperWorld's early entry into web3 and NFTs, with a focus on real-world utility.
      • Community engagement through stakeholder relationships and direct transactions.
    • Time Capsule Concept:
      • SuperWorld as a gateway to the metaverse, allowing users to visualize historical or future content in specific locations.
    • Getting Started with SuperWorld:
      • Accessible through the website or mobile app.
      • Users can buy virtual real estate, create content for free, or mint NFTs in the NFT salon.
    • SuperWorld's Impact:
      • Positive response from users and alignment with the evolving understanding of concepts like NFTs and web3.
    • Closing Statements:
      • Invitation for listeners to explore SuperWorld and join in building the virtual world together.
      • Contact details provided for further inquiries.
    • Outro:
      • Chris expresses excitement about SuperWorld's impact and encourages listeners to reach out to Hrish.
      • Hrish shares contact details, emphasizing SuperWorld's accessibility and commitment to educating people about emerging technologies.
      • Gratitude for the podcast community and anticipation for future developments in the metaverse.

    Links

    SuperWorld

    Rogue Initiative Studios

    TopTal

    Unreal Engine

    Unity

    DREAMPUSHERS

    PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

    HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

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    32 mins
  • Beyond the Horizon: Navigating Metaverse, AI, and Entrepreneurship with Dinis Guarda
    Oct 15 2024

    Introduction: The interview delves into various aspects, including Dinis's influences, the significance of education in entrepreneurship, the evolving landscape of technology, and the potential impact of Metaverse, AI, and blockchain on our society.

    Key Points:

    1. Influences and Role Models:
      • Dinis Guarda expresses admiration for figures like Tim Draper, highlighting Tim's focus on education and generosity in sharing knowledge worldwide.
      • The hero journey and entrepreneurship training at Draper University are emphasized as critical aspects of cultivating successful entrepreneurs.
    2. Role of Role Models and Mentors:
      • Dinis emphasizes the importance of role models and mentors in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset.
      • Reflecting on his own experience as a coach and guest lecturer, Dinis underscores the gap in digital knowledge among students despite their extensive online presence.
    3. Challenges in Education Systems:
      • Dinis critiques current educational systems for their lack of emphasis on real-world applications and entrepreneurship.
      • He believes bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical business skills is crucial, especially in the context of Web3 and emerging technologies.
    4. Metaverse and AI Impact:
      • Dinis highlights the fear of missing out on Metaverse technology among governments and the importance of simplifying narratives for them.
      • The interview explores Dinis's work in various cities, focusing on concrete solutions and creating a narrative around immersive experiences, blockchain, and AI.
    5. Technology and Education:
      • The conversation touches upon the disparity in education about digital technologies, particularly in Metaverse and AI, even among university students.
      • Dinis stresses the need for practical education, case studies, and immersive experiences to prepare individuals for the rapidly changing technological landscape.
    6. Narrative and Awareness:
      • Dinis discusses the power of narrative in addressing global challenges and creating awareness, especially among the younger generation.
      • The interview emphasizes the need to develop narratives that provide solutions and opportunities for the 60% of the world's population under 20 years old.
    7. Technology's Evolution and Interoperability:
      • The interview explores the evolution of technology, emphasizing interoperability after the establishment of infrastructure.
      • Dinis discusses the potential of technology, especially in AI and Metaverse, to shape the way people experience and explore the world.
    8. Passion for Metaverse Technology:
      • Dinis expresses his excitement about Metaverse technology and its potential to revolutionize industries.
      • His focus on creating realistic avatars, digital twins, and the integration of AI in the Metaverse is highlighted as a key area of interest.
    9. Education, Mentorship, and Entrepreneurship:
      • The interview concludes with Dinis expressing his passion for education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.
      • He emphasizes the need for practical utility and the challenges posed by the speculative nature of blockchain platforms.
    10. Future Goals:
      • Dinis shares his excitement for the future, particularly in advancing Metaverse and AI technologies.
      • The importance of making these technologies accessible for business purposes and integrating them into the educational system is a key focus for Dinis.

    Conclusion: This interview with Dinis Guarda provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology, education, and entrepreneurship. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, Dinis advocates for a practical and utility-driven approach to ensure positive and impactful outcomes for society.

    DREAMPUSHERS

    PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

    HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

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    50 mins
  • The Story of Filecoin and a Community Driving Change
    Oct 15 2024
    Introduction:Lukas is a leader in the builders program for IPFS and Filecoin.Learn about Protocol, Filecoin, and IPFS, and how they contribute to Web3 technologies.Lukas's Background:Lukas briefly shares his current role leading the builders program for IPFS and Filecoin.Highlights the open-source nature of IPFS and Filecoin, both initially developed by Protocol Labs.Mention of Lukas's conventional business career at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and BCG Digital Ventures.Insight into Lukas's previous work incubating businesses for corporations and his toolkit for building businesses.Transition to Web3:Lukas explains his transition from Web2 to Web3, fueled by a desire for innovative business models beyond traditional ones.Discussion on the limitations of Web2 data models and the need for collective ownership and monetization in Web3.Lukas's interest in data ownership and the potential of Web3 to enable collective monetization of datasets.Antimicrobial Resistance Project:Lukas shares his experience working on a project addressing antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the challenges of monetizing such data.The role of Web3 in solving collective data ownership and monetization challenges.Lukas reflects on his entry into the crypto space, initially driven by curiosity and later inspired by the potential of Web3.BCG's Exploration of Blockchain:Discussion on Lukas's experience at BCG, where blockchain was explored as a buzzword, but with varying success.Lukas's observation that BCG did not deeply dive into Web3 at the time due to the novelty and challenges of shifting business models.Protocol Labs and Filecoin Journey:Overview of Protocol Labs as an open-source research and development lab dedicated to improving the internet.Introduction to Filecoin as the world's largest decentralized storage network, with 18 million terabytes of capacity.Lukas outlines Filecoin's mainnet launch in October 2020 and its ongoing development, with more than 4,000 storage providers.Filecoin Initiatives:Lukas mentions upcoming Filecoin initiatives, including the development of Filecoin Virtual Machine, retrieval markets, and Filecoin Green.Emphasis on Filecoin Green's goal to provide verifiable proof of sustainable energy usage in storage.IPFS:Explanation of IPFS as a P2P version of HTTP, addressing content by what it is rather than where it is.Analogy of referencing a book by its title instead of specifying its location.Discussion on IPFS providing an immutable and eternal reference to a piece of content.Combining IPFS and Filecoin:Explanation of how IPFS and Filecoin work together, with IPFS providing an eternal reference and Filecoin ensuring verifiable storage.Lukas highlights the flexibility of using IPFS with various decentralized storage solutions and the modularity it offers.Encouragement for NFT owners to use IPFS to address content and consider spreading storage across multiple solutions.Founders and Innovation Process:IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) was founded in 2014 by Juan Benet, a computer scientist with an interest in securing academic papers and ensuring their immutability.The initial motivation for IPFS was to address the problem of securing academic papers, preventing tampering with results, and ensuring the integrity of research.The innovation process involved a small team at the beginning, with a focus on first principles and addressing fundamental flaws in the centralized internet model.The team at Protocol Labs, where IPFS was developed, engaged in extensive research and development to solve complex problems in cryptography and distributed systems.Over time, the project evolved into Web3, challenging the traditional internet model by adopting a content-addressed approach instead of location-based addressing.Evolution and Community Involvement:The IPFS community has grown significantly, with thousands of contributors collectively maintaining and developing the project.The beauty of open source is highlighted, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of a diverse community rather than relying on a small group of individuals.The decentralized nature of the community aligns with the principles of Web3, promoting trustless interactions and knowledge distribution across the network.Role of IPFS in Web3:IPFS is characterized as a Web3 technology that breaks free from a centralized internet model, promoting decentralization and trustless interactions.The shift from location-based addressing to content addressing is identified as a fundamental change that addresses issues related to data gatekeeping and monetization.The development of Filecoin (FCO network) is explained as an extension of IPFS, addressing challenges related to pinning and trustlessness.Community Building and Education:The interviewee's role is to build a community and onboard developers for IPFS-related products.The challenge lies in making complex technologies accessible and exciting for a broader audience.The strategy involves finding use ...
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    47 mins
  • Empowering Lives in the Metaverse with May Mahboob, Founder of MBD Financials
    Oct 15 2024

    Introduction:

    • Chris interviews May Mahboob, the founder of MBD Financials (Metaverse Business District).
    • May is recognized as a top operator, a Metaverse warrior, public speaker, and a global advocate for financial inclusion.

    May's Background:

    • Born in Bangladesh and raised in New York City, May shares her journey from elementary school entrepreneurship to becoming a partner at Lush Cosmetics in Singapore.
    • May studied communications and broadcasting journalism at the University of North Texas and found her passion for business development.

    Techways and Virtual Reality:

    • May's interest in technology led her to partner with a renowned author involved in virtual reality, blockchain, AI, and machine learning.
    • Techways explores the use of virtual reality and AI for language learning and personal development, incorporating the concept of super learning.

    MBD Financials and Metaverse Business District:

    • MBD Financials focuses on financial inclusion and empowerment through decentralized digital ecosystems.
    • The Metaverse Business District aims to provide a decentralized district where individuals can learn, trade digital assets, and create their financial ecosystems.
    • May discusses the practical applications of immersive experiences, language learning, and the cross-chain NFT marketplace within the Metaverse Business District.

    Financial Inclusion and Social Impact:

    • May emphasizes the importance of financial education and accessibility for individuals globally.
    • The Metaverse Business District addresses poverty by providing resources, financial education, and opportunities for individuals to create their own financial ecosystems.

    Building Credit in the Metaverse:

    • The discussion covers how individuals can build credit in the metaverse using their skill sets and digital assets.
    • May introduces the concept of creating a trust-based digital identity and utilizing smart contracts for micro-lending.

    Conclusion:

    • May's vision is to create a self-sustainable metaverse economy where dreams become reality, emphasizing the impact each person can make, regardless of size.

    DREAMPUSHERS

    PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

    HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

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    39 mins
  • Novelty in NFTs with Matt Fortnow
    Oct 7 2024
    Introduction:
    • Chris interviews Matt Fortnow, a computer scientist and mathematician.
    • Matt's significant contributions to computational complexity theory.
    • Professor of computer science at Georgia Institute of Technology.
    • Awards and honors, including the Goddell Prize.Episode Highlights:
    The podcast focuses on the incredible journeys of entrepreneurs and visionaries.
    • Emphasis on determination, persistence, and resilience.
    • Disclaimer: The show does not provide financial or trading advice, and it does not endorse specific cryptocurrencies or projects.
    Matt's Background:
    • Matt shares his journey from Carnegie Mellon University to working at a rap agency in New York.
    • Transition to law school and becoming an entertainment lawyer.
    • Involvement in the early days of the internet, fantasy sports, and the sale of their company to CBS Sportsline.
    • Introduction to blockchain in 2015-2016 and deep involvement in NFTs from 2020.
    NFT Handbook:
    • Matt talks about his book, "The NFT Handbook," published by Wiley Publishing.
    • Exploring the world of NFTs and the underlying technology.
    • The book is available in 10 different languages.
    Diving into Matt's Career:
    • Matt shares his diverse career journey, including involvement in internet startups, film production, and blockchain.
    • Highlighting the risks and rewards of embracing new technologies.
    The Click Moment for Blockchain:
    • Matt recalls when he first understood the potential of blockchain, particularly during his involvement with Game Credits around 2015.
    Projects in the NFT Space:
    • Overview of various NFT projects Matt has been involved in.
    • Licensing the Three Stooges for NFTs, creating NFTs for viral videos, and working on projects with utility aspects.
    • Highlighting the Monrogy's NFTs project with unique utility tied to a platform called Wholesome Fans.
    Novelty in NFTs:
    • Discussing interesting and lesser-known aspects of NFTs, such as projects tying NFTs to ownership of real racehorses (Silks).
    • Fractionalization of NFTs related to physical objects, copyrights, and royalty streams.
    • Legal considerations, including securities regulations, copyright ownership, privacy, and tax implications.
    The Metaverse and Play-to-Earn Gaming:
    • Matt expresses excitement about the potential of the metaverse and play-to-earn gaming.
    • Mention of Axie Infinity and the challenges associated with widespread adoption of VR headsets.
    Conclusion:
    • Thanking Matt Fortnow for sharing his insights and experiences.
    • Encouraging listeners to subscribe, share, and stay tuned for future episodes.

    DREAMPUSHERS

    PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

    HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

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    23 mins
  • Disrupting Talent Recruitment with Ignacio Palomera (Bondex)
    Aug 23 2024
    • Overview of Bondex:
      • Guest: Ignacio Palomera, Co-founder of Bondex
      • Decentralized talent recruitment and networking platform
      • Aims to democratize hiring and eliminate middlemen
      • Utilizes blockchain technology for transparency and efficiency
    • Ignacio’s Journey:
      • Transition from traditional finance to fintech and Web 3.0 startups
      • Realization of inefficiencies in the recruitment industry
      • Inspiration behind founding Bondex
    • Key Features of Bondex:
      • Human Bond Exchange concept
      • Gamified professional profiles
      • Crowdsourced referrals and reputation-based recruitment
    • Future of Work and Blockchain Integration:
      • Addressing credential fraud with blockchain technology
      • Introduction of Soul Bound Tokens for dynamic professional identities
      • Potential for smart contracts to revolutionize talent recruitment
    • Role of HR and Empowering Recruiters:
      • Enhancing transparency and accountability in hiring
      • Empowering recruiters to monetize networks and referrals
      • Envisioning a global marketplace for talent enabled by decentralized networks
    • Invitation to Join Bondex:
      • Encouragement for listeners to download the app and build their professional profiles
      • Highlights upcoming milestones and opportunities for rewards
    • Closing Message:
      • Inspiration and encouragement for entrepreneurs and innovators
      • Emphasis on dedication and innovation in achieving success
    Related Websites:
    • Bondex

    DREAMPUSHERS

    PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

    HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

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    23 mins
  • Web3's Communication Layer with Gerald Heydenreich (EtherMail)
    Aug 15 2024
    Key Points Discussed:Background and Early Entrepreneurial Spirit:Gerald's unique IBM background and diverse entrepreneurial journey.Discussion on being unemployable and the path to starting one's own business.Gerald's family background of entrepreneurship and lessons learned.Ventures and Challenges:Overview of businesses acquired by Amazon and involvement in the tech industry.Gerald's experience in solving problems with models and model management, as well as investing in crypto.The challenges of being an entrepreneur, going against the mainstream, and navigating societal expectations.Early Entrepreneurial Influences:The influence of Gerald's father, an antique dealer, and grandfather, both entrepreneurs.Exploring the restlessness in school and the desire to start something of his own.First Venture and Lessons Learned:Gerald's initial business venture after graduation and working in a large corporation.Challenges faced, including a potential financing round falling through.The importance of realizing that a deal isn't signed until the money is in the bank.Shift to Tech and Marketplace Focus:Transitioning to the tech space and involvement in knowledge management.The appeal of two-sided marketplaces and Gerald's focus on marketplace businesses.Challenges and successes in managing two-sided marketplaces.Acquisition by Amazon:The founding of "buy v i p," a fashion club, and its acquisition by Amazon in 2010.The decision-making process behind the acquisition and the challenges faced.Gerald's departure and reflections on the experience.Investment Phase and Transition:Gerald's foray into the investment side and the challenges faced as an investor.The excitement of being an entrepreneur versus the complexities of being an investor.Insights into business angel investing and the decision to focus more on personal ventures.Blockchain "Ah-ha" Moment:Gerald discusses the pivotal moment when individuals recognize the potential of blockchain technology. This often occurs when someone has an entrepreneurial drive, engaging in activities like selling baseball cards or washing cars in their youth.Initial Skepticism:Gerald shares a personal experience of initially dismissing blockchain, recounting an incident at a conference where a person in a golden suit with pistols shooting out dollar notes presented Bitcoin. He initially found it unappealing and remained focused on enabling women to start sustainable businesses in a different sector.Revisiting Blockchain:In 2018-2019, after selling a previous business, Gerald reevaluates blockchain as his co-founder suggests looking into it again. He becomes an advisor for a blockchain, Web3, and NFT-focused project. Witnessing a million-dollar NFT sale in 60 seconds, he realizes the significant shift happening in the industry.Tectonic Shift and Decentralization:Gerald expresses his realization that blockchain represents a tectonic shift, comparable to the advent of smartphones and the internet. He highlights the decentralization of data and the creation of a new monetary system within the industry.Challenges in the Current System:Gerald critiques the dominance of major tech companies (Google, Apple, Amazon) in owning and controlling vast amounts of user data. He believes this system is flawed, and the motivation within the blockchain space is set to bring about significant changes in how companies operate and ownership is perceived.Web3's Spirit of Innovation:Gerald appreciates the entrepreneurial spirit in the Web3 space, where people are excited to explore possibilities. He acknowledges that while many ventures may fail, the potential for groundbreaking innovations is limitless.Novelty of Business Models:Both speakers discuss the novelty of business models enabled by Web3 technology. They particularly emphasize the impact of NFTs and the intersection of creativity and technology in this space.Introduction to EtherMail:The conversation shifts to EtherMail, and Gerald explains how the idea originated from challenges in managing communication within communities formed around NFT and token projects on platforms like Discord and Telegram.Web3 Email Innovation:Gerald elaborates on the innovation behind Web3 email, emphasizing its integration with wallet addresses. He envisions email as a bridge between Web2 and Web3, potentially onboarding billions of users into the Web3 world.Challenges of Growth:Gerald discusses the challenges faced during EtherMail's rapid growth, highlighting the need to scale systems and manage increasing traffic. The team is working to onboard more people and navigate the multitude of opportunities available.Communication Marketplace and Token Rewards:EtherMail introduces a communication marketplace with its own communication currency, enabling users to control the level of information shared. Companies can target users based on preferences and reward them with tokens for their attention.Privacy and User Choice:Gerald emphasizes the importance of privacy and user...
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    41 mins
  • The Future of Entertainment with Mary Spio (CEEK)
    Aug 7 2024

    Introduction:

    • Podcast explores the inspiring stories of successful individuals.
    • Mary Spio, the guest, is a pioneering entrepreneur with a diverse background.
    • CEEK is a platform at the intersection of VR and blockchain, offering immersive entertainment experiences.

    Mary Spio's Background:

    • Mary grew up with an entrepreneurial mother and a father who was an attorney and college professor.
    • Her educational journey included studies in electrical engineering and computer science.
    • Joining the Air Force as a satellite technician marked a significant chapter in Mary's life.

    Transition to Entertainment:

    • Mary's passion for entertainment led her to work with Boeing and explore the world of satellite communication.
    • Trying on an Oculus headset sparked the idea for CEEK, envisioning immersive experiences in VR.

    CEEK's Success:

    • Partnerships with major artists like Megadeth and Bon Jovi solidified CEEK's presence in the entertainment industry.
    • The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for virtual events, further establishing CEEK as a leader.

    Blockchain Integration:

    • Mary recognized challenges faced by global artists in monetizing content on traditional platforms.
    • CEEK integrated blockchain for transparency, content tracking, and efficient payments.

    Seamless User Experience:

    • Mary emphasizes the importance of creating a seamless user experience on CEEK.
    • The utility token on CEEK is compared to in-game currencies like Roblox's Robux.

    Future of Virtual Commerce:

    • Mary envisions a future where virtual commerce becomes the norm, impacting fashion, automotive, and real estate industries.
    • CEEK aims to revolutionize user interaction with products and services through immersive experiences.

    Conclusion:

    • Mary Spio's journey showcases the transformative power of combining technology, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
    • CEEK is leading the way in redefining how users experience and engage with the virtual world.

    For more inspiring stories, subscribe to the podcast, where hard work and dedication prove that anything is possible.

    DREAMPUSHERS

    PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

    HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

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    38 mins