Web3 Winners: BitAngels Ignites Innovation at Venice Beach Pitch Competition!
Blockchain innovators and tech pioneers converge at Venice Beach to showcase cutting-edge Web3 advancements and celebrate the future of decentralized finance.
On October 18, 2024, we hosted an incredible evening of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration at the Venice Beach Pitch Competition during LA Tech Week. Our venue, the iconic Vatom House, was buzzing with excitement as visionary founders, investors, and thought leaders came together to celebrate the next wave of Web3 and blockchain innovation.
The setting couldn’t have been more fitting. Vatom House, renowned for its smart NFT innovations, provided a dynamic environment for emerging startups to present their cutting-edge ideas. With their creative, lively aesthetic and stunning location, they set the perfect stage for pioneering blockchain startups to showcase their ideas. From the moment people walked through the doors, the energy was palpable. It’s not every day that you get to mingle with FinTech icons like Brock Pierce, David Chaum, and Michael Terpin!
A Star-Studded Panel
Our evening commenced with welcoming remarks from Michael Terpin, founder of BitAngels, alongside Alyze Sam, our esteemed Global Director, and the newly appointed Southern California City Leaders, Roc Zacharias and Jake Pulier. Their energy and vision for BitAngels set the stage for an extraordinary evening.
The highlight for many was our Tech Celeb Panel, featuring three of the most influential figures in the blockchain and digital asset world:
Brock Pierce: Co-founder of Tether, is not only a crypto billionaire but also a visionary whose contributions continue to shape the landscape of decentralized finance. He has a track record of building socially conscious companies.
David Chaum: is widely regarded as a pioneer in cryptography and is the inventor of digital cash (eCash), David’s presence was a reminder of the foundations on which the entire blockchain ecosystem rests. In his 1983 paper, he introduced the cryptographic concept of blind signatures, a fundamental innovation that became a key technical foundation for the Cypherpunk movement, which emerged in the late 1980s.
Michael Terpin: Often referred to as the “Godfather of Crypto,” Michael’s leadership in the space has been instrumental in driving the adoption and evolution of blockchain technologies. His work has been instrumental in promoting blockchain adoption and connecting innovators with investors. Pre-order Michael's new book, “Bitcoin Supercycle: How the Crypto Calendar Can Make You Rich,” to be prepared for the future.
Their discussion, titled “Web 1-3: The Past, Present, and Future of Digital Connectivity,” delved into the transformative journey of blockchain technology. The insights they shared — from the early days of digital currencies to the future of decentralized networks — left us reflecting on the tremendous potential that still lies ahead.
The Pitches: Showcasing Tomorrow’s Leaders
As the panel concluded, we turned our attention to the pitch competition, where the energy in the room became electric with anticipation. Startups from across the blockchain space took the stage, each vying for the chance to showcase their ideas to an audience of discerning investors and industry experts. Every founder had five minutes to present their vision, followed by an engaging Q&A session with our panel of expert judges.
The depth of innovation on display was truly impressive, but in the end, three standout projects emerged victorious:
1st Place: Social AI
Social AI captivated the audience and judges alike, claiming the top prize at BitAngels LA. Their advanced AI platform is designed to revolutionize social media engagement, empowering businesses with tools to connect with audiences through real-time, AI-enhanced interactions. As the 1st place winner, Social AI will take the main stage at Tokenize! Las Vegas on Oct 30-31 in a private celebrity gated mansion, where they’ll have another chance to showcase their cutting-edge technology to investors.
Social AI has been on an impressive trajectory. The platform is currently integrating next-gen AI avatars and personalized community features, with a beta launch scheduled for early next month. Their Social AI Engine for B2B solutions has shown promising results in automating appointment setting, already improving interactions for early adopters. Additionally, Social AI’s blockchain payment system is nearly complete, with select creators testing crypto transactions to enable seamless monetization. This feature is set to fully launch soon, making it easier for creators to receive support from their audiences.
Community growth remains a priority, with Social AI’s new referral program inviting loyal users to earn rewards by introducing friends to the platform. They’re also hosting a $1,000 thread contest on X to spark creativity and showcase the possibilities of Social AI’s engagement tools. With further enhancements to their AI algorithm and an independent rep program reaching key markets, Social AI is expanding its presence while fine-tuning the user experience.
Winning BitAngels LA was a significant milestone for Social AI. Alongside a VIP pass (or two general passes) to Tokenize! Las Vegas, they also received a 1-year premium subscription to CryptoEQ, supporting their continued growth as they refine and scale their innovative offerings.
2nd Place: Etz
Etz Soft impressed with their revolutionary approach to integrating Web2 asset management with Web3 economics. Their tokenized Roth IRA product offers a unique, tax-efficient solution for crypto investors, making it easier for them to maximize long-term gains. Etz earned a pitch slot in Las Vegas and a $500 conference pass, in addition to a 6-month CryptoEQ subscription to support their growth.3rd Place: Metashift AI
Metashift AI presented a compelling solution for businesses looking to leverage AI-driven blockchain technology. Their platform streamlines complex processes and enables scalable, intelligent data systems. As the third-place winner, Metashift AI secured a pitch opportunity in Las Vegas, a $500 conference pass, and a 3-month CryptoEQ subscription.
In addition to these prizes, every startup that pitched received a free 3-month subscription to CryptoEQ, offering them crucial market insights to refine their strategies further as they scale.
Expert Judges: Guiding Innovation
Our judges, drawn from a diverse array of industries, brought their extensive expertise and discerning perspectives to the table, offering invaluable feedback to each startup:
Simon Bogdanowicz: A seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Catalyst Global, Simon has played a key role in raising over $500 million for blockchain projects. His expertise in finance and technology has provided startups with critical insights into what it takes to succeed in this fast-paced ecosystem.
Kenji Claudio: As Business Development Lead at Enya Labs, Kenji’s deep understanding of hybrid blockchain solutions and his ability to guide businesses through the complexities of Web3 adoption made him an invaluable resource for our participants.
Warren Whitlock: CEO of Stirling Corp, Warren is a veteran in digital marketing and a thought leader in future technologies. His thoughtful critiques and forward-looking questions challenged our startups to think critically about their market fit and growth potential.
The dialogue between the judges and founders was both insightful and constructive, helping each startup sharpen their focus as they prepare for the next steps in their journey. A pitch participant at our event Dustin Lee of DeStore said, “It was a night filled with incredible advice from so many legends.” and remarked that they were “beyond impressed”!
What’s Next: Tokenize! Las Vegas and BitAngels Day
As we look forward, the winners from Venice Beach are now preparing to take the main stage at Tokenize! Las Vegas. It promises to be a day filled with networking, inspiring pitch sessions, and thought-provoking panels.This event will give them an unparalleled opportunity to present their projects to an even larger audience of investors, innovators, and thought leaders. Get your tickets here and join us as we continue to drive the future of Web3.
We’re also excited for BitAngels Day, taking place on October 31, 2024, during Tokenize! And let’s not forget, it all culminates in the highly anticipated Meme-O-Ween Party — a celebration of Bitcoin’s whitepaper release in 2009, with costumes and festivities to match the occasion! It promises to be a festive and memorable night filled with quirky meme-themed costumes and a whole lot of fun. Get your tickets here.
Special thanks to Joyce Chow and Joe Fletcher for the great pictures!
The content in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All opinions expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute recommendations for financial decisions. Please conduct your own thorough research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.