Polyweb

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli interviews Hugo Amsellem, founder and general partner at IntuitionVC, an early-stage fund dedicated to consumer and culture startups across Europe and the U.S. The conversation covers Hugo's experience advising hundreds of startups and his perspective on why the consumer space is primed for innovation after years of focus on B2B.00:00 Introduction01:26 Hugo's background and rationale for focusing on consumer startups06:57 How AI enables creation at scale13:24 Opportunities for emerging consumer startups in the AI age18:41 Qualities Hugo looks for in founders and startups25:34 The three things you need to succeed as a founder31:07 Advice for founders on getting early user adoption37:11 Hugo's view on the "real Web3" being AI-enabled creation44:25 Managing investment FOMO in an abundant creation environment50:23 Technology's role in combating loneliness and cultural shifts58:38 Details on IntuitionVC's consumer startup tour

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli and guest David Shapiro, popular YouTuber, AI researcher, content creator, and writer, explore the profound implications of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and its potential impact on various aspects of our lives, including employment, economics, and the very nature of human existence.00:00 Intro01:43 David's background02:32 The concept of post-nihilism07:32 Religion's decline and the search for a new grand narrative12:08 Technology's societal impact14:46 Redefining family structures18:28 The importance of relationships, experiences, and mission for a meaningful life21:44 AGI's employment impact27:06 Post-labor economics32:34 Stakeholder capitalism36:14 AGI-resistant jobs41:50 The potential for social entrepreneurship and experience-based businesses44:58 Machine sentience55:22 The relationship between sentience, consciousness, and our understanding of reality1:00:08 Coexisting with AGI1:04:30 The potential for human speciation and divergent evolutionary paths

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli interviews Oliver Klingefjord, the co-founder and technical lead at the Meaning Alignment Institute.The Institute won an OpenAI grant to explore "democratic fine-tuning" as an approach that differs from Constitutional AI. During the conversation, Oliver and Sara discuss the process of creating a "moral graph" based on people's discussions of values, the potential risks of personalized AI models, and the broader implications of their work in aligning technology with human meaning and purpose.00:00 Intro04:42 How the Meaning Alignment Institute won the OpenAI grant to explore democratic AI alignment08:13 Comparing democratic fine-tuning to RLHF and Constitutional AI12:33 Institute's process of surfacing underlying values through moral dilemmas16:00 Creating a "moral graph" to capture wisdom and agreements22:04 Risks of personalized AI models and the need for shared human values26:25 Using the moral graph to guide and evaluate AI model outputs32:12 Potential applications of the moral graph36:07 Challenges of scaling to superintelligent AI39:55 Broader implications and the need for people to articulate their values43:55 Where to find more information about the Meaning Alignment Institute

Host Sara Landi Tortoli interviews Janna Bastow, who is the co-founder and CEO of ProdPad, Mind The Product, and ProductTank. In the product management space, Janna is known for introducing the "Now-Next-Later" roadmap, which is a more sustainable way to build products than the traditional timeline roadmap. During the interview, Janna shared valuable insights from her journey as a product manager and founder. She emphasized how important it is to solve problems, gather feedback, and prioritize tasks to create impactful products. The conversation also covered the challenges she faced while building and engaging communities through Mind The Product, as well as overcoming stage fright.00:00 Intro00:31 The importance of understanding the problem02:13 The shift from being excited by solutions to focusing on problems06:51 Gathering and prioritizing user feedback09:17 Being outcome-driven vs. customer-driven16:31 The "now, next, later" roadmap approach30:45 Building and engaging communities38:22 Overcoming stage fright and fostering psychological safety47:23 Closing thoughts and resources

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli and guest Georgiana Laudi, Co-founder and CEO of Forget the Funnel, explore the concept of customer-led growth and how it differs from product-led growth. They delve into the importance of deeply understanding customers, operationalizing their experiences, and making data-informed decisions to optimize their journey from problem recognition to long-term value realization.00:00 Introduction00:41 Defining customer-led growth and its relationship with product-led growth03:53 Differentiating customer-led growth from other "X-led" growth models07:15 Building products in a customer-led organization09:51 The challenge of identifying ideal customers in B2B scenarios13:24 Applying the Jobs-to-be-Done framework to understand customer segments19:07 Mapping the customer journey and identifying value milestones23:53 Leveraging customer insights to refine messaging and product experiences29:42 Prioritizing customer jobs and deciding the strategic focus33:57 Operationalizing customer-led growth within the organization39:06 Repositioning and communicating the customer-centric approach43:16 Prioritizing customer jobs and aligning with business objectives47:49 The importance of customer research and avoiding guesswork52:24 Implementing customer-led growth: A practical example58:47 Closing thoughts and resources

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli and guest Itamar Gilad explore the concept of evidence-guided product development.Itamar is a seasoned product coach and leader with extensive experience at tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and YouTube, and the author of "Evidence Guided."The key takeaways from this episode include the importance of setting clear goals aligned with the company's mission and vision, the value of conducting research to validate product ideas, and the need to adapt the evidence-guided approach to different types of products and businesses. Itamar's GIST model (Goals, Ideas, Steps, and Tasks) provides a framework for product teams to systematically develop and validate their ideas, ultimately leading to the creation of products that effectively address customer needs.00:00 Intro01:11 Itamar's background and experience at Google and YouTube04:22 YouTube's transition from a community-based platform to a more commercialized product06:36 The differences between the Google Plus and YouTube annotations projects09:22 The story behind the development of the Gmail tabbed inbox feature17:34 How the confidence level in product development differs in companies at various stages19:25 Itamar's framework for setting goals, making assumptions, and establishing confidence in product ideas26:28 Example: Applying the evidence-guided process to a hypothetical dating app startup41:48 Choosing the best testing methods for product validation43:48 Implementing the evidence-guided method for physical products48:38 Adapting the evidence-guided approach for B2C, B2B, and marketplace products54:24 Resources and ways to connect with Itamar55:24 Conclusion

In this episode, Sara talks about the challenges and realities of startup entrepreneurship with guest Megan Murphy, a former product manager turned founder. Megan shares her journey from the corporate world to launching her own startup, focusing on the pitfalls, learning curves, and eventual decision to shut down her venture. Megan has held the VP Product role at Hotjar, where she led and scaled its product organization, and led the team through M&A. She previously held product leadership roles at N26 and Skyscanner. In 2022, she co-founded a startup that never found product-market fit. She decided to cut her losses and return capital to investors so that she could move on with her life. She is currently moving on before exploring what's next. 00:00 Intro02:40 Background & entrepreneurial shift07:59 Problem identification & validation13:24 Team building & product development18:10 Product-market fit challenges23:00 Iteration decision-making28:07 Addressing product limitations33:19 Market impact on startups38:00 Growth from startup experience43:18 Vision vs market reality48:27 Closure decision & outlook

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli and guest Div Garg, discuss the future of AI agents and assistants. Div is a computer scientist, AI researcher, and entrepreneur. His latest company, MultiOn, is a general-purpose AI similar to JARVIS that executes digital tasks and brings it to everyday consumer use, from booking flights to ordering your food.Div has lectured and given talks at Stanford, OpenAI, DeepMind and Apple over his research on Transformers and reinforcement learning. During the episode, Sara and Div explore how AI agents can handle a wide range of tasks and change how we interact with technology.00:00 Intro01:22 Div Garg's background and the vision behind Multion06:00 The development and challenges of AI autonomous agents10:48 The potential and use cases of AI autonomous agents16:32 The technical backbone and operational details of Multion's AI20:59 Future visions and the ethical considerations of AI development25:43 The transition from academic research to founding Multion32:12 The impact of AI on daily life and future technologies38:54 Approaching AI development in startups and leveraging open source models45:38 Building trust with AI autonomous agents and the significance of user experience50:15 Discussing AGI, its definitions, and its feasibility

Nick Gray is a successful entrepreneur and author of "The 2 Hour Cocktail Party." During the interview, Nick discusses his approach to making new friends and building a strong network through hosting small gatherings. Hundreds of people have used his "NICK party formula" to host their first happy hour or networking event. Nick has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine called him a host of “culturally significant parties.”00:00 Intro01:40 Challenges of hosting events as an introvert06:55 The power of loose connections11:07 What makes an event successful14:35 Tips for ending conversations at events14:35 Tips for ending conversations at events18:09 How to become the person everyone wants to talk to23:24 Effective opening questions in conversations28:42 Steps for planning a small event38:20 Curating guest lists for events42:34 Hosting events at home vs. external venues47:00 The 'NICK' method for hosting events52:18 Handling unexpected situations at events58:21 Maintaining connections after events01:02:41 Nick Gray's views on online events

What if AI could make life better, freer, more creative?According to Alexander Manu, AI could make us all happier than we have ever been.This conversation is a deep exploration of the relationship between technology and humanity, and in particular, how technology can enhance human creativity and the transformational impact it has on our lives.Alexander Manu is a strategic foresight practitioner, innovation advisor, international lecturer and author. He is a Senior Partner at Equilibrant, a boutique consultancy that provides strategic counsel and future-based advisory to executive teams in Fortune 500 companies. He is a Professor at OCADU University in Toronto, and since 2007 on the faculty of the Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC) at the Schulich School of Business. 00:00 Introduction00:47 Understanding the 'End of the Beginning' in Technology02:34 Technology's Role in Human Creativity and Convenience06:18 Labor vs. Work: Focusing on Creative Endeavors20:20 Generative AI's Impact on Creativity26:32 The Concept of 'Contemplative Interval'39:56 AI's Integration into Work and Society

Scott Britton is an entrepreneur, content creator and consciousness explorer. His most recent startup Troops was acquired by Salesforce in 2022 where he received the Forbes 30 Under 30 award for enterprise technology. He is the host of the EvolutionFM podcast and author of the substack blog Consciousness: The Doorway to Human Evolution.During the episode, Scott shares how, after creating a successful tech startup, he still felt unfulfilled. This prompted him to explore plant medicine, meditation, and eventually undergo a profound Kundalini awakening. As a successful entrepreneur who underwent a spiritual awakening, Scott reveals how he manages a busy life with mindfulness and listening to his own intuition.00:00 Intro02:18 Scott's background in entrepreneurship and journey to spirituality07:18 Balancing Spirituality and Productivity in Everyday Life09:00 Sara shares her spiritual journey over the past year11:20 Transforming Life into a Meditation15:38 Explaining his Kundalini awakening19:16 A practice for using daily disturbances for spiritual growth25:24 Turning life into a meditation by working with triggers31:01 Use of psychedelics and plant medicine35:27 Managing a spiritual life while having a full schedule43:10 Following inner guidance from your higher self56:34 Concept of free will and consciousness01:01:18 AI, job loss, and finding meaning beyond work

Join the host, Sara Landi Tortoli, and product marketing expert Jason Oakley as they explore the nitty-gritty of ensuring a successful product launch. Jason is a product marketing coach, consultant, and creator with 10+ years experience building PMM functions from scratch.During the episode, Jason provides a comprehensive playbook for launching products successfully, from research and positioning all the way through messaging, promotion tactics, and pricing strategies with real-world examples.00:00 Introduction01:09 Overview of product marketing role and responsibilities04:00 Tips for successful product launches05:00 Key differences between product releases and launches12:18 Case study: Ambiguous messaging in Humane's AI Pin launch video17:37 Crafting effective product positioning and segmentation26:24 Niching down to a very specific target audience29:24 Product positioning framework35:56 Translating position into effective messaging44:27 Capabilities, benefits and proof when describing product value46:42 Pre-launch tools like Winter to test messaging48:23 Tactics to generate hype and momentum for a launch53:00 Case studies of successful ongoing launch campaigns54:28 Pricing models and metrics58:43 Using buyer research to find optimal pricing01:02:00 Case study: Pricing course using buyer response and conversion data01:05:05 Validating pricing via beta programs

In this episode of Polyweb, Sara Landi Tortoli interviews Eche Emole, founder of Afropolitan, the first digital nation designed to empower all Africans to live abundant lives.Eche shares his personal journey, the inspiration behind Afropolitan, and the four phases involved in realizing this digital nation that transcends traditional geographic boundaries.00:00 Introduction01:47 Eche introduces himself and the mission of Afropolitan02:54 The origins and evolution of Afropolitan, from event organization to a digital nation04:28 The concept of a network state and its potential for Africans09:21 Eche's personal motivations for creating Afropolitan13:03 Explaining the network state and its distinct features17:24 The significance of digital governance and financial freedom in a network state22:43 Steps taken from the inception of Afropolitan to its current phase29:00 Analyzing Afropolitan through philosophical and product development lenses39:21 The application process for Afropolitan citizenship and its criteria52:00 - Personal growth and reassessment during COVID-19.54:32 - Influence of Naval Ravikant's book on Afropolitan's philosophy.57:07 - Abundance mindset and long-term thinking in Afropolitan's foundation.59:22 - Screening process for Afropolitan citizenship.1:06:28 - Role of community in shaping Afropolitan's culture and values.1:08:53 - Initial steps after deciding to build Afropolitan.1:11:20 - Challenges in product development and lessons learned.1:20:30 - Complexities and aspirations of building a digital nation.1:23:22 - The strategy and philosophy behind Afropass, focusing on UI/UX and community engagement.1:27:37 - Phase three of Afropolitan's plan: minimum viable state and its components.1:33:40 - The need for a balance between government efficiency and inefficiency.1:38:09 - Philosophical considerations in nation-building and the role of transparency.1:43:08 - The parallels and differences between building products, communities, and nations.1:48:19 - Final thoughts on the importance of fostering a community focused on forward-thinking ideas.

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli interviews Dave Kline. Dave is an accomplished writer, business advisor, executive coach, and co-founder of the MGMT Accelerator - a program dedicated to developing system-focused leaders. With over a decade of experience as the COO of multiple divisions at Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, and a former managing director at Moody's Analytics, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge in growth-focused leadership.Sara and Dave discuss strategies for effective management, giving feedback, building company culture, positioning yourself as a leader, and starting a business. 00:00 - Introduction04:39 - Dave's experience learning from managers early in his career05:22 - Achieving a balance of caring for your team while challenging them08:02 - The difference between managing and leading15:06 - Creating a "playbook" for the first 100 days in a new management role21:23 - Synthesizing findings from the first 100 days into a plan25:42 - Adapting the first 100 days playbook for a fast-moving startup environment30:32 - Managing the transition from existing processes to executing new initiatives32:18 - Influencing company culture as an individual manager38:20 - Candid feedback practices at Bridgewater 45:55 - Starting feedback with "Did that meet your expectation?"52:32 - The value of building community versus transactional networking59:14 - How investing in your own development can have an asymmetric payoff 01:06:35 - Picking a business you can commit to for 10 years

Tony is the pioneer of Jobs-to-be-Done Theory, the inventor of the Outcome-Driven Innovation® (ODI) process, and the founder of strategy and innovation consulting firm Strategyn. Tony has applied his ODI process at some of the world's leading companies and across nearly all industries to inform breakthrough innovations—achieving a success rate that is 5 times better than the industry average. Tony is also the author of best sellers What Customers Want and JOBS TO BE DONE: Theory to Practice.In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli and guest Tony Ulwick uncover everything you need to know about the Jobs to be Done framework. Tony explains how this methodology focuses on understanding the jobs customers are trying to get done rather than the products themselves. He outlines best practices for applying the framework, including defining target markets around customer jobs, designing effective surveys to uncover unmet needs, interviewing experts to map detailed outcomes, and selecting the most promising markets for startups. Tony shares insights from working with companies like Twitter to resegment users based on their core jobs to be done. He also provides guidance for startups on how to leverage the framework for product-market fit. 00:00 Introduction00:48 Overview of Jobs to be Done06:16 Applying the framework10:15 How to structure customer's survey to uncover unmet needs18:58 How to prioritize competing opportunities20:16 Case study: JTBD applied to Twitter29:29 When to use qualitative vs. quantitive research30:30 How to structure customer interviews to uncover unmet needs 48:23 How startups can define their own market59:55 Common mistakes to avoid when applying JTBD01:12:40 Resources for learning more

This episode of Polyweb is a real masterclass in the world of startup investing,James Church is co-founder and COO of Robot Mascot, a global award-winning investment readiness agency, and the author of the best-selling book “Investable Entrepreneur”,Together with our host Sara Landi Tortoli, James shares his unique methodology for convincing investors and delves into the intricacies of startup funding, pitching, and investor relations. 00:00 Introduction00:30 What aspiring entrepreneurs should know about raising funds05:35 How the world of startup investing work: from pre-seed to Series A and after11:35 How to evaluate your startup when you are just starting out15:38 The importance of practicing your pitch17:06 How to find, select and outreach the right investors22:51 How to get investors to notice you28:36 What investors are looking for before investing in you and your product34:15 Differences between investors in Europe vs in the US37:32 How to create a killer pitch deck43:25 Learning how to pitch21:27 The process of crafting a pitch deck56:12 The significance of term sheets and equity distribution

In this episode of Polyweb, host Sara Landi Tortoli and guest Robert Scoble explore the new frontiers of spatial computing and AI, discussing the potential threats and opportunities these technologies present. They delve into the transformative potential of AI, the challenges of data privacy, and the integration of technology into our daily lives.Robert Scoble, a renowned technology evangelist and author, is known for his work at Microsoft and his influential blog, Scobleizer. He is Chief Strategy Officer at Infinite Retina, focusing on spatial computing. His insights and predictions have significantly shaped the tech industry.00:00 Introduction01:35 How meeting Steve Wozniak changed Robert's life07:16 The importance of asking the right questions11:18 How to spot trends very early on15:38 The most transformative technology that will change our lives17:06 How spatial computing will redefine the way we interact21:27 New business opportunities with spatial computing28:06 Data privacy in the age of AI46:12 How the job market will change and what to do56:02 How to build a personal brand on social media

We all know it, even if we try our best not to dwell on it: one day, we will age and eventually die. Or will we?Sara engages in a conversation with Sebastian Brunemeier to explore the potential reversal of aging and the prospect of avoiding death. Sebastian Brunemeier is a General Partner at Healthspan Capital, a venture fund focused on longevity biotech and regenerative medicine. He is also CEO of ImmuneAGE Bio, a drug discovery platform for immune system rejuvenation. He was previously co-founder and CIO at Cambrian Biopharma, one of the largest longbio companies, Founder and COO of Samsara Therapeutics, a clinical-stage autophagy drug discovery company in Oxford UK, and Principal at Apollo Health Ventures, the largest aging-focused venture fund with 200M under management. He was a Fulbright Scholar on telomere biology, holds a master's degree in molecular neuroscience and biotech business management from the University of Amsterdam, and was in the PhD program on the biochemistry of aging at Oxford as a Clarendon scholar before dropping out to launch Cambrian. He is an advisor to several companies including VitaDAO, the longevity DAO00:00 Introduction01:35 Understanding the connection between aging and mortality07:26 The pursuit of biological immortality11:24 Strategies for prolonging life15:45 Promising areas of research in the field of longevity24:10 Exploring autophagy during fasting26:03 Sebastian's personal longevity regimen28:05 Overrated and underrated aspects of longevity research32:29 Gender disparities in longevity studies35:17 Contributing to longevity research efforts37:28 Web3 and its intersection with biotech42:00 Should we truly extend human lifespan? Examining the downsides and longevity dividends48:39 The Vitalism movement54:00 Societal transformations in a world without aging01:02:03 The impact of an extended lifespan on birth rates

In this week's episode, Sara explores how augmented reality and spatial computing will redefine the boundaries and opportunities of interaction between humans and machines with Pierluigi Dalla Rosa.Pierluigi Dalla Rosa is an accomplished designer who is at the forefront of shaping the future of computing. He has a proven track record at renowned companies such as Apple, NIO, Panasonic, and Philips. Additionally, he serves as a visiting professor at the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design and the California College of the Arts. Passionate about unlocking human creative potential and developing tools for thought, Pierluigi explores the realms of collective and spatial computing, continuously pushing the boundaries of interfaces and interactions beyond conventional screens. His expertise lies at the intersection of animation, film, physical matter, and software.00:00 Intro03:07 What is spatial computing?06:54 Challenges in designing AR headsets09:40 How to leverage augmented reality to create a business13:25 How to approach existing concepts in new ways to seize opportunities16:41 Other areas of application for spatial computing20:12 Apple's secret to success and what it's like to work for the company24:57 Insider frameworks and thinking principles29:09 How technology shapes us more than the other way around

How will your job be affected by artificial intelligence? What skills do you need to learn to remain relevant? Is AI a threat to humanity, or is it just the next step in humane evolution?In this interview, Sara sits down with Theo Priestley to find answers to these questions and get a glimpse of what the future will look like.Theo Priestley is a globally recognized and sought-after futurist, international speaker, author, and authority on the future of business, technology, and society. His expertise lies in the convergence of emerging trends, including Web3, Metaverse, and Artificial Intelligence. Known for his forthright views on the negative impacts of technology on society, he currently works to inform political and business leaders about the risks and benefits of adoption. He recently authored the book, "The Future Starts Now."00:00 - Introduction01:42 - What does it mean to be a futurist?05:56 - Why AI is different from any other technological innovation15:23 - Essential skills for remaining relevant23:47 - How will we discern truth when it becomes easy to fabricate information?26:25 - The impact of AI on your job32:27 - Jobs that will not be affected by AI36:22 - Society's reimagining in the face of AI42:06 - Challenges that governments will face with AI51:42 - Embracing upcoming changes as an opportunity for a different approach54:18 - Ethical considerations and concerns regarding technology

How can we make better decisions? In this age of constant technological innovation, the ability to make better decisions is more than just a skill; it's a matter of survival. So, how can we improve our decision-making abilities?Join Sara in this insightful conversation with marketing and decision-making expert, Prof. Dr. Koen Pauwels. Prof. Pauwels is a Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University and serves as the Principal Research Scientist at Amazon's Advertising Marketing & Insights team. He specializes in helping managers make better choices in measuring and improving marketing effectiveness.Together with Prof. Pauwels, we explore general principles for enhancing decision-making and provide practical examples in three different scenarios: personal decision-making, decision-making in large companies, and decision-making in startups.00:00 Intro01:20 Understanding the components of a good decision-making process04:29 Steps and best practices to enhance your decision-making skills12:36 Frameworks for personal decision-making20:45 Amazon's decision-making framework25:14 Decision-making principles in large companies29:29 Selecting the appropriate metrics to measure your decisions34:12 Decision-making principles for startups42:12 Decision-making principles for the betterment of society

My guest today is Sumeet Ahuja, investor, advisor, product leader, ex-PayPal, AT&T, and most recently former VP of Product at Circle, the company that issues USDC stablecoin. Sumeet is a seasoned technology and product leader that has an impressive track record of building and launching innovative products that have made a lasting impact.During his time at Circle, Sumeet led the product strategy and built international stablecoins - fiat-backed digital currencies. While at PayPal he played a critical role in scaling their consumer business to over $1bn in annual revenue.Sumeet is also an angel investor, advisor, and frequently mentors early-stage startups. He is a faculty advisor and guest lecturer at renowned academic institutions and holds 18 patents, showcasing his innovation and thought leadership in the field.In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about the evolution of the Fintech space from Web1 to Web3, the role of stablecoins and CBDCs in the economy of the future, angel investing, and how to craft a winning product strategy 00:00 Intro00:57 The evolution of the Fintech space in Web1, Web2, and Web306:42 Switching careers at the right time09:00 The promise of Web3 and how it's evolving13:53 The ingredients you need to create a great product strategy25:05 How to evaluate new opportunities in a fast-moving market27:48 How to hire the right people 32:52 Investing in startups as an angel investor36:52 The role of stablecoins and CBDC

Building a business with ChatGPT as a CEO and managing to close a seed round of 100K in 40 days? That's precisely what João Ferrão dos Santos has managed to do, making him an overnight social media sensation.João is a chief experimenter, testing how far AI can go in building a business.He is the founder of AIsthetic Apparel, a viral fashion label where ChatGPT serves as its CEO, and Underdog Founders, a global social media content brand and upcoming venture fund focused on backing founders who win against all odds.Before becoming a founder, João held previous roles such as Head of Growth at Handprint, a climate-change tech startup in Singapore, and Senior Principal at Mustard Seed Maze, a 45 million EUR European seed fund based in Lisbon, created to support impact founders tackling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.João started his career in startups at Zalora in Singapore, a Rocket Internet company, and holds an MsC in Management and a BsC in Economics from Nova School of Business and Economics.00:00 Intro01:35 From idea to execution: how João prompted ChatGPT to create his company08:33 How to leverage unexpected opportunities and when to say no12:43 Raising capital for his AIsthetic and getting investors on board19:12 Social media and posting strategy to go viral24:02 Most common mistakes founders make when pitching their startup26:43 Lessons learned from building a company with ChatGPT as a CEO29:09 How to discover what are the things that give you energy33:47 How to prioritize time and handle social media requests36:56 Advice for those who want to build a startup leveraging AI

Can we become a multi-planetary species? If this question seems straight out of a sci-fi movie, it isn't. In fact, it is already happening. Technologies are being developed that will enable us to colonize and inhabit other planets, and they are more advanced than we commonly believe.Ben Hadelman, a space entrepreneur and the founder of Lifeship, is at the forefront of this movement. His company's mission is to propagate human life in the universe by transmitting human DNA to the moon.During our conversation with Ben, we discussed various topics, including the challenges of building highly specialized and intricate products, the path towards becoming a multi-planetary species, and the significant opportunities present in the space industry.00:00 Introduction01:34 Lessons learned from being an endurance athlete06:56 Constructing satellites to investigate life on other planets11:50 Theories concerning life and the universe19:22 The path to becoming a multi-planetary species27:12 Developing an MVP for complex products in highly technical industries34:36 Ben's decision-making process and his connection with nature42:02 Advice for entrepreneurs looking to launch a startup in the space industry43:56 Ben's primary challenge while building Lifeship and how he overcame it46:38 Major opportunities in the space industry

Psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, have long been associated with counterculture and recreational drug use. However, recent research has shown that these substances could have tremendous medical potential for treating mental health conditions, addiction, and even potentially preventing physical ailments. To debunk myths and misconceptions from reality, Sara is joined by Marvin Däumichen, co-founder and Director of Programs of the MIND Foundation, a European non-profit science and education organization that promotes psychedelic research and therapy.With Marvin, we talk about why psychedelics are a medical breakthrough compared to current SSRI medications, the latest state of the research, and the benefits and risks in treating certain mental health conditions.00:00 Intro02:29 Creating the MIND Foundation06:45 What are psychedelic drugs?08:47 The role of MIND Foundation in Psychelidc Research10:12 Difference between psychedelics and SSRI15:49 Risks and side effects of psychedelics19:41 Effectiveness of psychedelics22:55 Connection between psychedelics and Alzheimer's prevention25:42 Common misconceptions about psychedelics29:41 Current psychedelics research37:18 What needs to happen for psychedelic drugs to be approved?40:32 Funding psychedelics research43:32 Training medical professionals to administer psychedelics46:58 How to approach psychedelics and possible alternatives50:42 What would happen if psychedelics got approved tomorrow?56:43 Supporting the MIND Foundation

In a world where technology evolves faster than fashion trends and new breakthroughs happen within months of each other, how can we stay relevant? How can we make sure technology works for us and not against us?With tech philosopher and founder of InPeak, Somi Arian, we talk about the role of ethics and philosophy in the age of AI, what the future is going to look like, and how you can stay ahead of the curve in this era of accelerated technological innovations.Somi Arian is a tech philosopher, award-winning filmmaker, author, LinkedIn-Top-Voice, and the founder of InPeak, a Web3 education and professional networking platform, and Smart Cookie Media, a marketing firm centred on developing thought leadership for Brands and Founders.00:00 Intro01:35 Technology as a life form07:47 Human evolution in relation to Technology11:57 Are we living in a simulation?15:28 How to remain relevant in the Age of AI20:58 How to consistently redefine your purpose and identity to stay relevant23:11 Responsibilities of people building technology30:38 Somi's vision in building InPeak33:12 The problem with Web3 business models

How to run the financial aspect of a Web3 business? Should you raise money from VCs or create your own token?In this interview, Amar Mistry, CFO of LandVault, shares all the secrets behind what it takes to manage the financial side of a successful Web3 company, including raising capital in a bear market, designing your own token, and the pros and cons of issuing tokens versus shares. Amar is a growth leader and turnaround specialist, with a unique background in PLC's and startups. With experience raising money at Seed through to Series B, and now most recently through the launch of a token.Amar is the CFO of Web 3 startup LandVault, building the Metaverse.00:00 - Introduction01:30 - LandVault and raising funds in a bear market04:37 - What metrics attract Web3 investors08:04 - Challenges of administering the financial side of a Web3 business13:11 - Holding crypto in the company balance sheet17:05 - How to design a token23:07 - Why and when you should create your own token25:49 - Defining token demand and supply29:49 - Considerations on token pricing models33:20 - The issue with Web3 companies' token design36:52 - Difference between tokens and shares41:07 - Metaverse business opportunities

Are you a marketer or software engineer looking to break into the world of Web3? Or are you already in the space and wondering how to stand out from the competition to land your dream job? In this video, we'll provide you with tactical advice on how to get a job in Web3 with concrete examples.With Owen Healy, a leading Web3 recruiter with over 70 people from 30 different countries hired into various different Web3 projects, we'll cover everything you need to know to succeed in the Web3 job market, from the most in-demand skills to building a personal brand on LinkedIn.We'll also analyze a sample resume of a software engineer to learn the dos and don'ts and point out the red flags to watch out for before accepting a job offer in a space as volatile as Web3.Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your career to the next level. 00:00 Intro01:55 How is recruiting in Web3 different from Web203:15 Should you consider switching to Web3?06:25 Most high-in-demand skills for getting a job in Web309:10 Advice for software engineers to get into Web310:40 Advice for marketers to get into Web314:40 Tactics for building a personal brand on LinkedIn to land your dream job16:55 How to write a resume effectively to get a job in Web322:25 Analysis of a Resume of a software engineer32:15 Red flags to watch out for before accepting a job offer36:50 Salary range for software engineers and marketers in Web343:20 Outlook of the Web3 job market

The art of storytelling is essential for building a brand and engaging an audience. As humans, we have evolved through our ability to tell stories. Storytelling is therefore one of the most important skills to master, as it allows us to connect with one another, transmit knowledge, and create a sense of community. Corrales Cachola is a storytelling expert and consultant for clients such as Nike and Intel, as well as the founder of Brand New Voices — a community for creators in Web3.During this episode of Polyweb, Corrales shares his insights on the most powerful storytelling frameworks for building a brand and effectively explaining complex concepts such as Web3 and NFTs. Using concrete examples, he demonstrates the difference between good and bad storytelling and shows how anyone can build a community on social media.00:00 Intro01:44 The concept of "The Human Blockchain"09:37 NFTs as stories of us14:28 What makes a story believable?21:58 The difference in storytelling between Web2 and Web326:01 How to effectively reach more people through storytelling36:59 Corrale creative process46:36 Good storytelling example I01:02:23 Bad storytelling example 01:07:53 How to get comfortable with sharing your ideas on social media01:10:35 Good storytelling example II01:19:26 Storytelling for brands01:23:32 How to start sharing content online

The traditional concept of sovereign states and physical borders has been stretched to its limits in the age of the internet and technological innovation. The slow pace of governmental bureaucracy and regulatory bottlenecks are hindering innovation and progress. Governments are struggling to understand and provide timely answers to global challenges. In this conversation with Niklas Anzinger, we explore how new cities and societies can be built in the age of the internet by introducing the concepts of Charter Cities and Network States.Niklas is the founder and GP of Infinita, the first Prospera-based VC fund. Niklas aims to end the Great Stagnation by supporting founders to overcome regulatory bottlenecks by utilizing startup cities, network states, and defi rails. Before Infinita, Niklas was an early-stage startup operator.00:00 Intro01:49 Definition of Network States and their properties12:05 Why the need to form new Nations16:57 The 3 types of emerging cities21:30 Niclas's story and how he got involved with Prospera31:31 What is Prospera and why it is unique35:57 Why you should consider Prospera44:49 How Niklas evaluates his startups investments

Do you have a Web3 startup idea, but are not sure how to turn it into a successful business? In this episode of Polyweb, business coach and founder Emily Rose Dallara shares her journey as a first-time founder and reveals the secret of how to build and manage multiple successful businesses.Emily is the founder of Payant, a crypto payment solution that helps freelancers and contractors get paid on time. As a business coach and host of the Web3 and Thrive Podcast, she has helped entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses.In this episode, Emily discusses what business coaching for Web3 looks like, and provides her step-by-step guide on building a startup from idea to solution, including how to validate your product idea, find the right people to work with, and set goals and fundraising for Web3.A first-time founder's journey to building a Web3 startup00:00 Intro03:33 What business coaching for Web3 looks like07:25 Building a startup: from idea to solution19:10 How to validate your product idea: question to ask and how to find the right people26:15 Setting goals and having the right mindset as a founder30:28 Tips to collaborate with developers as a non-technical founder33:55 Qualities of a good leader37:50 Emily's prioritization framework40:02 Fundraising as a first-time founder42:45 Raising VC money vs creating your own token46:50 Launch and go-to-market strategy50:31 How to manage multiple businesses

Can crypto solve real-world problems? When banks closed and ATMs ran out of cash at the start of the Ukrainian conflict, the quickest and cheapest way to send humanitarian aid was via crypto wallets.In this episode of Polyweb, we explore the real-world impact of crypto with Rev Miller, Co-Founder of Atlantis World and Unchain - a Web3 native fund initiated by Rev and other Web3 builders to help Ukraine.Rev and the volunteers and donors behind Unchain were able to organize help before any other humanitarian fund was up and running, highlighting the potential for crypto to solve real problems.Rev is a serial entrepreneur with over 9 years of experience building and growing media, FinTech, 3D / XR, and Web3 networks. He's leading growth at Atlantis World, contributing to Gitcoin (KERNEL), and overseeing the public goods impact at Unchain.Rev shares insights on how crypto can be used to finance public goods, create economic freedom, and manage a Web3 nonprofit. We also discuss the opportunities and challenges of setting up a Metaverse.00:00 Intro01:25 How Rev got started in the crypto space06:30 Collaborating with Gitcoin10:21 What is a public good and how to think about it13:00 The war in Ukraine and funding Unchain21:42 How to manage a Web3 nonprofit and allocate funds27:35 Rev decision to come back to Ukraine to help and organize a hackathon in a war zone31:13 The benefits of using blockchain and crypto to manage a nonprofit36:10 Rev experience in building a metaverse40:40 Difference between gaming and the metaverse49:48 Advice for anyone getting started in Web3

In this episode, we celebrate women in Web3 by exploring the topic of building a startup around a controversial and often overlooked subject: female sexuality. Our guest, Vanessa Schäfer, shares her inspiring story as the founder of the Female Pleasure Society, a sexual wellness brand that focuses on pleasure and women's health.We discuss Vanessa's unique approach to building a community in a niche market using NFTs, which allows her to provide educational content and a safe space for discussions on pleasure and health. Additionally, we delve into the details of how Vanessa built her business selling natural supplements to enhance women's pleasure.00:00 Intro04:02 The taboo around women's sexuality11:00 Building a supplement business19:49 Using NFT to build a community around a niche24:57 Community brand building28:35 Lessons learned from building an NFT community and how to leverage it35:05 Vanessa's networking secrets

Are you wondering what it takes to be a successful product manager in Web3? Do you need help transitioning from Web2 to Web3 and creating a winning product strategy? In this conversation with Vandan Parikh, Product Lead at MetaMask, we explore everything you need to know about Web3 product management.Vandan has extensive experience building products and platforms using emerging technologies, including social photo-sharing networks, self-parking e-scooters, and tokenized internet connectivity. As the leader of Developer Experience at MetaMask, a pioneering non-custodial web 3.0 wallet, he offers unique insights into the world of Web3 product management.During our conversation, we discuss the key differences between being a product manager in Web2 and Web3, as well as what you need to know to make a successful transition. We also delve into the nitty-gritty of designing an effective product strategy for a Web3 product.If you're a product manager looking to transition to Web3 or simply interested in the nuances of building products in Web2 and Web3, don't miss this episode!00:00 Intro04:25 Product management differences between web2 and web313:24 How to create a product strategy in web321:15 Using data and defining success metrics in web331:20 How to make decisions in web336:45 What web3 can learn from web248:00 How to transition from web2 to web353:55 Biggest learnings from being a product manager lead in Web3

What is Web3? What is hype, and what is real? No one is more qualified to answer these questions in an accessible, no-nonsense way than Keir Finlow Bates.Keir is a blockchain researcher, software developer, and prolific inventor with over 40 patents to his name, and the author of two books: "Move Over Brokers Here Comes The Blockchain" which goes over the significance of blockchain technology in an educational, easy to understand entertaining way, and "Evil Tokenomics" that explore how Web3 can be exploited by bad actors to scam the public. His YouTube channel provides over seven hundred short videos explaining blockchain through the use of analogies.Keir holds an MA in mathematics and information engineering from Cambridge University and a Ph.D. in mathematics and education from London South Bank University.In this wide-ranging conversation, Keir explains in a simple and easy-to-understand way how Blockchain and Web3 technology work and we explore their potential implications for the economy, society, and the individual.We discuss the key features of Web3 and how it differs from its predecessor, Web2. We also delve into the exciting world of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and tokenization and discuss the potential impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies on the global economy and how blockchain can save us all.00:00 Intro05:52 Why blockchain matters and the difference with AI16:43 Central Banks Digital Currencies and the role of governments in the future23:47 What is Web3 and why it matters43:46 Decentralized Autonomous Organisation (DAO): pros and cons52:37 Web2 vs Web3: use case applications01:02:43 How to avoid getting scammed

How is marketing in Web3 different than in Web2? As a marketer, understanding how to build and scale communities in Web3 is the most critical growth marketing strategy.In this episode I'm joined by Bertrand Blancheton a Multi Awarded Growth and Community Marketing Expert, that is currently Head of Marketing for the Braavo Wallet, the #1 Crypto Wallet on the StarkNet Ecosystem.Bertrand shares a step-by-step framework for building and scaling a community around a product, including why you should separate your community's brand identity from your product's. Discover the unique challenges and opportunities of marketing in Web3 and the differences with Web2 by learning how Bertrand created the marketing strategy for Braavo Wallet. 00:00 Intro01:22 Shifting career from Web2 to Web3 07:18 The differences between marketing in Web2 and in Web311:53 Growth strategies: a 4 steps framework17:43 How to build a community29:36 The strategic importance of partnerships in Web333:08 Measuring the success of your marketing strategy38:51 The future of Defi mass adoption

How can brands leverage the Metaverse? What unique opportunities does it offer? What does a good Metaverse strategy look like?To answer these questions and more, in today's episode I am joined by Metaverse expert Diego Borgo. Diego Diego is an NFT and metaverse specialist and advisor for brands such as Adidas, Salesforce, Skoda, and Porsche.During our conversation, we discuss the concept of the Metaverse and its unique opportunities and potential use cases for companies. We also cover the difference between good and bad metaverse strategy and the key challenges and choices that brands have to face when establishing a presence in the Metaverse.00:00 Intro04:22 What is the Metaverse and how do brands approach it10:18 The role of VR and AR12:53 When, why, and how companies should enter the Metaverse19:53 Good Metaverse Strategy vs Bad Metaverse Strategy27:12 Challenges to establishing a Metaverse presence for companies33:08 Good Metaverse strategy example41:51 How to create new types of experiences in the Metaverse

Is it possible to productize innovation?As Head of Tech Innovation for the Nestle' Group, the world's largest food and beverage company, Luca Dell'Orletta has developed an entire framework around innovation. Luca leads several transformation programs for the Group, exploring and validating new technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality, Web3, and Metaverse. In 2022 Luca was listed in the 'TOP 100 Future CIOs', for his exceptional leadership skills, and critical and creative thinking.In this episode, we explore how brands can approach innovation and new technologies on a large scale through the example of Nestle's strategy of stepping into Web300:00 Intro02:00 How Luca became a professional innovator04:00 Pros, cons, and use cases of Web2 and Web3 09:00 How Nestle' is leveraging Web313:00 The three ways in which brands can innovate 16:00 FICELSI: an innovation framework for brands20:30 How to experiment and measure results in a big organization26:29 How brands can productize innovation at scale 33:20 The role of brands in an increasingly digitalized world41:20 Challenges of Web3 adoption for traditional brands

Can Web3 disrupt an entire industry? In this episode, we explore how Web3 can revolutionize the real estate industry with Denis Petrovcic. In 2018, Denis co-founded Blocksquare with the vision to globally facilitate the use and adoption of real estate tokenization.During our conversation, we discuss two of the main use cases of the application of blockchain technology in real estate: properties' tokenization and title and deed management. We examine the potential impact on investors, real estate developers and agents, and the current regulatory landscape. Finally, we learn how Denis runs his company and the role of DAO in its governance.00:00 Intro01:37 How Denis started Blocksquare04:10 How Web3 can help the real estate industry07:17 Property tokenization and the upsides for both investors and real estate developers and agents10:37 Example of real estate tokenization and how it works17:05 The role of regulations24:40 Most interesting use cases of property tokenization26:32 The bull case for land registration system through blockchain31:24 How Denis organizes his company and the role of DAO in its governance

How can Web3 revolutionize the production of TV shows like those you see on Netflix and shape the future of the entertainment industry?Web3 technology has the potential to revolutionize the way TV shows are produced and distributed. Youssef Drissi is a true pioneer in the world of Web3 entrepreneurship, having created the first-ever animated NFT TV show, "The Red Ape Family," featuring characters from the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection. The show, which currently consists of 3 episodes, streams on both YouTube and AppleTV.In this conversation, we explore how Youssef came up with the idea for "The Red Ape Family," and how he built it without any previous experience in the entertainment industry.We go over lessons learned and practical tips and advice for builders in Web3 including how he secured partnerships with top brands and personalities, such as 2Chainz, Diesel, and AppleTV, how to hire the right team, and how he leveraged his community to produce and distribute the show.During the episode, we also cover the differences between an NFT TV show and conventional TV shows, and the specific considerations for building a project in Web3 during a bear market. This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to create their own project in the Web3 space and seeking to understand the future of the entertainment industry.00:00 Intro03:32 How Youssef discovered Bored Ape Yacht Club06:16 What was it like in the very early days in the BAYC community08:00 How Youssef started his journey toward creating the Red Ape Family15:22 Challenges and key takeaways from creating a pioneering project in Web3 without any experience22:25 How to find the right people in Web3 to help you launch your project25:56 How to build an NFT TV Show from idea to launch28:44 How to secure partnerships with top brands and personalities34:00 Lessons learned from building The Red Ape Family37:54 How an NFT TV Show is different from a conventional TV Show55:07 Building a project in Web3 during a bear market01:06:00 What to focus on if you want to create your own project in Web3