EP 048 | NIRAV MURTHY | CAMP NETWORK

EP 052 | JOSH BENARON | IRYS

[00:02:00] - Josh’s Background: The Origin Story • Josh talks about getting into crypto during the pandemic as a “nerdy student” in the UK. • Started coding later than most (at 16!) but went all-in for 10+ hours a day. • Early foray into mining and hopping across L1 discords like Arweave and Filecoin. • What led to starting Irys (then Bundler) in 2021. [00:04:50] - Founder Mode vs. Freestyle: Lessons from the Early Days • Josh reflects on founding Irys at 19 and the humbling process of learning on the job. • Mistakes in hiring, scaling, and trying to do it all himself. • Transitioning from “one-man show” to building a culture-driven team. • How his perspective on hiring shifted: “If they’re not a culture fit, I don’t care how good they are.” [00:09:30] - Principles That Drive Irys & Josh’s Leadership Style • The importance of staying aligned with company values and creating a culture you genuinely like. • Josh’s emphasis on long hours and grinding—why he prioritizes work ethic over everything else. • Key takeaway: “The company won’t succeed if I don’t like what I’m building.” [00:13:50] - Hiring & Team Dynamics: Finding the Right Fit • Josh on his “vibe-based filtering” approach to hiring. • Real talk: why resumes don’t tell the whole story. • How reference checks (even before interviews) play into his hiring process. • Example: Gus, the Irys CMO, and how he stood out despite a “decent but not mind-blowing” resume. [00:22:00] - Personal Brand & Community Building • Josh on managing his external-facing persona across Twitter, Telegram, and beyond. • Balancing trolling, technical expertise, and being taken seriously in the crypto space. • Key insight: “Your personal brand should be fun and smart—show your personality, but know when to turn it off.” [00:27:40] - The Irys Rebrand: From Bundlr to Irys • Why the rebrand? Expanding the vision beyond “transaction bundling” into a larger L1 ecosystem. • The thought process behind the name “Irys” and its connection to preserving humanity’s data. • Shoutout to Gus for leading the rebrand and creating some fire merch. [00:33:00] - Letting Go: Founder Challenges • Josh on the struggle of delegating and trusting his team. • Why stepping back and letting others lead (e.g., marketing) is key to scaling. • The founder’s dilemma: “Sometimes you have to trust people to execute, even if you could do it better yourself.” [00:41:50] - Lessons in Management & Meetings • The evolution of Josh’s leadership style: cutting one-on-ones and focusing on team transparency. • Weekly team shoutouts: boosting morale with dopamine hits for the team. • Dan reflects on the importance of balancing intensity with moments of levity in meetings. [00:48:20] - Therapy, Self-Awareness & Personal Growth • Josh gets real about the role of therapy in his life and how self-awareness makes him a better founder. • Dan shares how emotional regulation (and not reacting in the moment) translates into both business and personal relationships. • Why embarrassment can be the best teacher: “It’s painful, but it means you’re growing.” [00:55:00] - Looking Ahead: 2024 Goals • Josh’s biggest win of 2023: building an insane team. • Goals for 2024: launching Irys mainnet and creating a fun, engaging community. • Dan on the importance of reflecting on wins and setting actionable goals for personal and professional growth. [01:00:10] - The Role of Community in Web3 • Why Josh believes community is everything for L1s: “It’s about creating human connection, not just financial incentives.” • Inspirations from projects like Berachain and their cult-like community vibes. • Key question: How can Irys make people enjoy spending time in the ecosystem? _____ 🌀 TELEGRAM CHANNEL — https://bit.ly/topshelfcryptojobs 🌀 PROOF OF HIRES — https://bit.ly/uptopscoreboard 🌀 DROP US YOUR CV — https://bit.ly/topshelfjobapplication 💥 SPONSORED BY PAPER VENTURES — https://paper.ventures/ — IYYK 💥 BASED EARLY STAGE WEB3 VENTURE FUND 🌀 TWITTER — https://x.com/dan_uptop 🌀 INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/dan.uptop/ 🌀 LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneskow/ Up Top is the leading talent agency for hiring in Web3. Through our unique "sports agent" model, and active presence at IRL events / on crypto-native platforms, the strength of our brand has continued to attract Top Shelf Talent for both tech & non-tech roles. Our mission is to bring transparency and community to hiring opportunities in crypto. www.uptopsearch.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danuptop.substack.com [https://danuptop.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

EP 051 | GRAHAM FERGUSON | OMNI NETWORK

1:25 - Crypto BD Tactics: Shameless and Strategic “We kick it off with Graham’s energy: stop giving a f** and go shameless with your BD game. Twitter clout, inbound leads, and the secret sauce to standing out in a noisy space.”* 3:45 - From Cold Calls to Crypto Growth Leader “Graham’s origin story: from banging out 100 cold calls a day to moving into crypto during COVID. Respect the grind—SDR tactics meet Discord-native strategies.” 6:30 - Building a Personal Brand in Crypto “Why inbound is the future: flipping the BD game with a spicy Twitter presence. Stirring the pot, throwing out wild ideas, and watching the DMs light up.” 9:15 - The BD Meta: Gassing Up or Glazing Over? “Crypto BD is all about collaboration, but are we doing too much glazing? Graham breaks down why authenticity still matters in the space.” 12:10 - POBD Chat: Where the Real Ones Connect “Shoutouts to the POBD squad—OGs, up-and-comers, and the vibe checkers building the next wave of BD talent. Community is key, and we’re keeping it real.” 14:45 - Managing Communities Without Losing the Vibes “Too many cooks? Graham talks about keeping POBD fresh by balancing inclusivity with exclusivity. Active contributors only!” 16:20 - Lessons from Hiring a BD Killer “How to spot a grinder: Graham shares the story of hiring Matt—Twitter reply guy turned BD assassin. Shamelessness pays off in this game.” 19:40 - Biggest Wins and Hard Lessons in BD “From closing deals with Symbiotic to missing on SushiSwap, Graham keeps it real about wins, losses, and learning from the trenches.” 23:00 - How to Level Up in Crypto BD “The cheat code? Talk to your engineers. Graham explains how learning the product makes you a better storyteller and helps close deals with confidence.” 25:45 - Top 5 BD People in Crypto (Dead or Alive) “Shoutouts incoming! Graham’s BD power rankings feature Abdul, Jack Melnick, Benji, Rushi, and his own teammate Matt. Respect the grind, always.” 29:10 - The Infamous Crypto Lists “Why do L2s as cocktails or gas station snacks? Because sometimes you just gotta say s**t. Graham breaks down the method to the madness behind his viral lists.” 31:20 - Building a Tribe of Mentors “From seasoned Wall Street veterans to crypto homies, Graham shares how he leans on a board of mentors to navigate the industry and life.” 33:30 - Goals for 2025: Omni, Growth, and Giving Back “What’s next for Omni? Graham shares his plans to grow the product, scale the team, and keep building his own BD skills. Big moves in the pipeline.” 37:00 - Turning Haters into Fans “Haters gonna hate, but that’s an opportunity for growth. Graham and Dan talk about learning from criticism and evolving in public.” 38:45 - Final Thoughts and What’s Next “Mark your calendars: December 17th is Omni’s big moment. Graham’s Omni-pilled, and the redemption arc of Ethereum is just beginning.”_____🌀 TELEGRAM CHANNEL — https://bit.ly/topshelfcryptojobs🌀 PROOF OF HIRES — https://bit.ly/uptopscoreboard🌀 DROP US YOUR CV — https://bit.ly/topshelfjobapplication💥 SPONSORED BY PAPER VENTURES — https://paper.ventures/ — IYYK💥 BASED EARLY STAGE WEB3 VENTURE FUND🌀 TWITTER — https://x.com/dan_uptop🌀 INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/dan.uptop/🌀 LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneskow/Up Top is the leading talent agency for hiring in Web3. Through our unique "sports agent" model, and active presence at IRL events / on crypto-native platforms, the strength of our brand has continued to attract Top Shelf Talent for both tech & non-tech roles. Our mission is to bring transparency and community to hiring opportunities in crypto.www.uptopsearch.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danuptop.substack.com [https://danuptop.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

EP 050 | JACOB PHILLIPS | LOMBARD FINANCE

2:36 - Jacob’s Origin Story Jacob shares his journey from a small-town farm in Iowa to tech, finance, and ultimately crypto. 6:42 - The Pivot to Crypto and VC How Jacob transitioned from traditional finance to crypto, his early challenges, and his experiences at Polychain Capital. 10:54 - The Perfect Timing for Bitcoin DeFi Jacob explains why now is the ideal time for the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem and the role Lombard Finance plays. 15:08 - Breaking Down the Bitcoin Ecosystem A comparison of the Ethereum and Bitcoin DeFi cultures, and how Lombard aims to elevate Bitcoin’s space. 22:12 - The Role of Bitcoin L2s and VC Bets Discussion about the rise of Bitcoin Layer 2s and how VCs are investing in the space. 28:17 - Building Lombard’s Team Lessons and strategies from Jacob on assembling a winning team and creating momentum in a startup. 34:09 - Hiring Challenges and Wins Jacob shares insights into hiring strategies, including the value of experience and balancing speed with quality. 39:45 - Life at Polychain: Lessons and Stories Reflecting on Jacob’s time at Polychain Capital, the culture, and memorable experiences. 44:30 - Raising Capital for Lombard Jacob talks about Lombard’s fundraising journey, strategic partners, and focusing on value beyond headlines. 49:55 - Mentors and Learning from Peers How Jacob has learned from peers, mentors, and unconventional inspirations throughout his career. 54:10 - Closing Thoughts and Future Vision Jacob discusses Lombard’s mission, his approach to leadership, and the importance of leveling up in every role. _____ 🌀 TELEGRAM CHANNEL — https://bit.ly/topshelfcryptojobs 🌀 PROOF OF HIRES — https://bit.ly/uptopscoreboard 🌀 DROP US YOUR CV — https://bit.ly/topshelfjobapplication 💥 SPONSORED BY PAPER VENTURES — https://paper.ventures/ — IYYK 💥 BASED EARLY STAGE WEB3 VENTURE FUND 🌀 TWITTER — https://x.com/dan_uptop 🌀 INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/dan.uptop/ 🌀 LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneskow/ Up Top is the leading talent agency for hiring in Web3. Through our unique "sports agent" model, and active presence at IRL events / on crypto-native platforms, the strength of our brand has continued to attract Top Shelf Talent for both tech & non-tech roles. Our mission is to bring transparency and community to hiring opportunities in crypto. www.uptopsearch.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danuptop.substack.com [https://danuptop.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

EP 049 | OLIVER & DANISH | PAPER VENTURES

00:02:45 - Backgrounds Before Crypto Oliver shares his journey from being expelled from school and playing high-stakes poker to discovering Bitcoin through gambling apps. 00:03:44 - The Early ICO Boom and Finding an Edge A deep dive into the chaotic ICO days, with Oliver explaining how they navigated a world of loose investments and advisory deals. 00:04:47 - The Key to Success: Pressing the Red Button Discussion on what set Paper Adventures apart in the crypto space: taking profit at the right time while others held on too long. 00:05:55 - Why Funds Fail: Lessons Learned from Other Managers Oliver reflects on the mistakes of other fund managers, greed, and how irrational expectations lead to zero returns. 00:06:43 - Danish’s Journey: M&A, BlackRock, and Crypto Discoveries Danish shares his backstory, from working at Ernst & Young and BlackRock during the 2008 financial crisis to discovering Bitcoin through the Silk Road. 00:09:49 - Building the Paper Fund: Early Successes They talk about how Paper Adventures started, the successful timing of their fundraising, and early wins like YGG and Frax Finance. 00:12:00 - The Importance of Taking Profits and Managing Funds Discussion on how Paper Ventures approached deals differently, emphasizing the importance of taking profits and managing a smaller fund effectively. 00:14:00 - Raising Funds and Dealing with LPs (Limited Partners) Danish explains the difference between raising equity and LP money, and the dynamics of choosing the right LPs. 00:16:04 - Managing a Smaller Fund: The Advantages Oliver shares insights on why managing a smaller fund allows them to be more agile, cherry-pick deals, and avoid the pitfalls of larger funds. 00:18:19 - Common VC Mistakes: Twitter and Overconfidence Oliver discusses the biggest mistakes VCs make, like spending too much time on Twitter and failing to do proper diligence. 00:19:28 - Founder Red Flags: Spotting the Ego The team shares their approach to evaluating founders, emphasizing the importance of humility and self-awareness. 00:23:00 - Supporting Founders: Hands-On Involvement How Paper Adventures supports their founders, even those they don’t invest in, and why that builds strong relationships in the industry. 00:29:02 - The Paper Ventures Brand: Authenticity and No BS What Paper Ventures stands for—authenticity, being hands-on, and never sugar-coating anything for the sake of appearances. 00:35:17 - Evaluating Founders: Picking Up the Right Vibes The team explains how they evaluate founders beyond the pitch deck, focusing on the vibe and whether they’d want to work with them daily. 00:40:34 - Quick Deal-Making: A Lesson from Limitless Network A high-stakes story of how Oliver closed a deal for Limitless Network by leveraging his expertise and network within the gambling industry. 00:47:43 - Learning from Mistakes: Failing Fast and Moving Forward Both Oliver and Danish share their biggest mistakes and lessons learned from trusting bad deals, SAFs that haven’t launched, and poor financial oversight. 00:55:01 - From Rock Bottom to Redemption: Oliver’s Personal Story Oliver opens up about his journey from being a successful poker player, losing everything to drugs and bad decisions, and building himself back up. 01:03:00 - What's Next for Venture Capital in Crypto? The team gives predictions about the future of crypto VC over the next 6–12 months, including how the upcoming U.S. elections might impact the space. 01:04:45 - Final Advice for Founders: Do Your Homework Advice for first-time founders pitching VCs: the importance of doing your homework on the venture firms before the pitch. _____ 🌀 TELEGRAM CHANNEL — https://bit.ly/topshelfcryptojobs 🌀 PROOF OF HIRES — https://bit.ly/uptopscoreboard 🌀 DROP US YOUR CV — https://bit.ly/topshelfjobapplication 💥 SPONSORED BY PAPER VENTURES — https://paper.ventures/ — IYYK 💥 BASED EARLY STAGE WEB3 VENTURE FUND 🌀 TWITTER — https://x.com/dan_uptop 🌀 INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/dan.uptop/ 🌀 LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneskow/ Up Top is the leading talent agency for hiring in Web3. Through our unique "sports agent" model, and active presence at IRL events / on crypto-native platforms, the strength of our brand has continued to attract Top Shelf Talent for both tech & non-tech roles. Our mission is to bring transparency and community to hiring opportunities in crypto. www.uptopsearch.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danuptop.substack.com [https://danuptop.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

EP 048 | NIRAV MURTHY | CAMP NETWORK

00:01:14 - Guest Introduction: Nirav Murthy • Welcoming Nirav Murthy, founder of Camp L2 Network. 00:02:01 - Social Media Buzz • Nirav shares the excitement of being tweeted by Ansem and the impact on their project. 00:02:38 - Building a Strong Community • Nirav talks about the importance of having an active and engaged community. 00:03:42 - Challenges in the Early Days • Discussing the hurdles faced when growing their community from scratch. 00:06:02 - Brand Loyalty on Chain • Nirav explains their initial focus on building brand loyalty using blockchain technology. 00:07:52 - Pivot to Camp L2 Network • The story behind transitioning from a loyalty app to a layer two network. 00:10:01 - Importance of Organic Growth • Strategies for achieving organic community growth without relying on airdrop farmers. 00:13:02 - The Role of Community Managers • Highlighting the contributions of their community manager, Rebecca, and the systems she implemented. 00:15:10 - Rebranding to Camp Network • The thought process and challenges behind the rebrand from Campaign Layer to Camp Network. 00:20:01 - Early Career and Transition to Blockchain • Nirav’s background in traditional finance and how it led to his involvement in blockchain. 00:22:25 - The Evolution of Web3 and Consumer Engagement • Reflections on the development of consumer engagement in the Web3 space. 00:25:06 - The Fast-Changing Meta of Crypto • Discussing how the rapidly shifting narratives in crypto impact business strategy. 00:27:01 - Lessons Learned as a First-Time Founder • Mistakes and learnings from the early stages of founding Camp Network. 00:32:01 - Hiring Philosophy and Cultural Fit • Nirav’s approach to hiring, focusing on cultural fit and growth potential over resumes. 00:37:32 - Building a Strong Internal Culture • Strategies for fostering a positive and productive internal company culture. 00:45:09 - Maintaining Work-Life Balance and Team Support • Dan shares a personal story about needing to step back and the team stepping up. 00:49:02 - Lightening the Mood in Meetings • Techniques to create a positive atmosphere in team meetings. 00:53:45 - Key Traits for Hiring • Green and red flags in the hiring process and the importance of authenticity and enthusiasm. 00:54:37 - Closing Remarks • Wrapping up the podcast with reflections on the discussion and a look forward to future content._____ 🌀 TELEGRAM CHANNEL — https://bit.ly/topshelfcryptojobs 🌀 PROOF OF HIRES — https://bit.ly/uptopscoreboard 🌀 DROP US YOUR CV — https://bit.ly/topshelfjobapplication 💥 SPONSORED BY PAPER VENTURES — https://paper.ventures/ — IYYK 💥 BASED EARLY STAGE WEB3 VENTURE FUND 🌀 TWITTER — https://x.com/dan_uptop 🌀 INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/dan.uptop/ 🌀 LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneskow/ Up Top is the leading talent agency for hiring in Web3. Through our unique "sports agent" model, and active presence at IRL events / on crypto-native platforms, the strength of our brand has continued to attract Top Shelf Talent for both tech & non-tech roles. Our mission is to bring transparency and community to hiring opportunities in crypto. www.uptopsearch.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danuptop.substack.com [https://danuptop.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]