Consensus 2023 Highlights: Top Takeaways and Trending Innovations from the Premier Blockchain Event

Last Thursday, with zero agenda, I dove headfirst into the world of innovative web3 concepts and projects at the epicenter of Consensus 2023.

Consensus, which is the Super Bowl of the blockchain and crypto world, took Austin by storm. Making a last-minute decision to join the party, I found myself rubbing elbows with pioneers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are all psyched about unlocking the massive potential of web3 technology. Austin was electrified, with the aroma of coffee filling the air, and a sense of wonder at the cutting-edge ideas on display. It was shocking to see the high level of optimism about crypto, given the murky regulatory outlook.

During some killer happy hours, I chatted with a mixed bag of web3 enthusiasts - founders, investors, and VCs fretting about regulators, while crypto bros talked about which coin to pump next.

Speakers and attendees were buzzing about the lack of regulatory clarity. It's anybody's guess whether we'll see any resolutions on legislation, but we're witnessing baby steps from U.S. regulators.

Erik Voorhees, a web3 entrepreneur, dropped some knowledge on CoinDesk.TV, claiming, "It's a Myth" that the Crypto Industry Is Unregulated. [LINK]

VCs are still throwing money at Web3, and we're witnessing a tectonic shift toward the tech, as demand for purpose-driven blockchain solutions skyrockets.

Check out some of the insanely cool things I discovered there:

Nodle: Web3 Meets the Real World: 

Consensus 2023 schooled me on Nodle, a smartphone-powered network that's putting web3 on the map – literally. Nodle just launched the Photo NFT, a game-changing media format that verifies image provenance through rock-solid, unchangeable records. Each photo's NFT creates a bulletproof record of the who, what, when, and where. It's the ultimate weapon against deepfakes and other AI trickery. They are in talks with some huge camera manufacturers as well.

IoT NFT Neo Ring.

Neo has unveiled a mind-blowing physical experience at Consensus 2023. Meet the OneBand, a revolutionary fusion of NFT and NFC tech in a wearable IoT device. It's a game-changer for gaming, finance, and retail. Neo's pioneering vision is shaping the future of interconnectedness and frictionless transactions. Da Hongfei, Neo's founder, said, "It's obvious that the blockchain community is itching for the digital to go physical. People are craving tangible, practical use cases that make blockchain technology a part of everyday life." Video - Neo at Consensus 2023 | Booth walkthrough and #OneBand ring introduction.

SHRAPNEL Create, own, and trade Player-Created Content

The FPS Game Changer: Poised to revolutionize the FPS gaming industry, SHRAPNEL is the first competitive multiplayer FPS empowering players to create, own, and trade Player-Created Content. This groundbreaking approach lets players flex their creative muscles and entrepreneurial spirit while enjoying a killer gaming experience. Learn more about SHRAPNEL and its potential to shake up the gaming world: [LINK]

The Palau Digital Residency Program.

In our increasingly remote and globally connected world, the Palau Digital Residency Program is a game-changer. Offering a legal government-issued ID obtainable from your couch, this program gives global citizens both a physical ID card and a digitalized ID for connected services. Get the inside scoop on this groundbreaking program here: [LINK]

One of the most epic happy hours was hosted by Helium Mobile. Wave 1 waitlist folks will score an exclusive invite on Thursday, May 4th, to join Helium Mobile Beta dropping that same day. Helium Mobile users can earn rewards by helping to build a killer carrier together through Discovery Mapping. Users can tap into Helium Mobile's dynamic coverage, rewards, and privacy features by signing up for the Unlimited Plan and sticking with their old carrier for voice and text services. "Limited numbers of Helium Mobile users who sign up during this Invite-Only period will lock in the Unlimited Plan for a sweet $25/month, forever*."

Conclusion: Consensus 2023 was an absolute blast, jam-packed with jaw-dropping insights, mind-blowing demos, and heated debates. By exploring the innovative ideas and projects showcased in the web3 space, attendees scored priceless knowledge about the future of blockchain, crypto, and the decentralized world. As the dust settles on this year's extravaganza, one thing's crystal clear: the future of web3 is bright and the possibilities are infinite.

NOW, LET’S ROCKET NETWORK!

We are using emojis to guide subscribers in our event list 📅📍

HERE ARE MY PICKS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday, May 1

🚀Mingle Mondays: FinTech

⚡Complimentary FREE Pass – OTC Houston Offshore Technology Conference 1–4 MAY 2023 – Houston

⚡OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

Ion Open Accelerator: Designing & Manufacturing A PCBA

Tuesday, May 2

EDGE TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE 2023: DELIVERING THE FUTURE

⚡OTC 2023 - OGV Energy Business Breakfast

ChallengeHER Houston

Nonprofit Startup Organization Meet-up / EVERY TUESDAY & FREE TO ATTEND

Small Business Lending | Brazos Valley SBDC

Wednesday, May 3

🏅🚀SportsTech Houston 🌶️🌶️🌶️🔥

Happy Hour with Houston Marketing Alliance

🚀Women, Wine & Web Design - Houston

Thursday, May 4

F.W. Access to Capital Series Part 1: How to Write a Lender Ready Bus. Plan

Canva For Beginners | Brazos Valley SBDC

🚀Ion Block Party

Luminary LIVE in Houston with Chase for Business

🚀🚀🚀 Cup of Joey

Aramco Ventures Office Hours at the Ion

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER for the first Rocket Network Event – a celebration you won't want to miss! 🚀🎉⚽

Ion Activation Festival is coming up - May 17-19, 2023. Mark your calendars and "Get involved" !!!

Community Ask and Founder Spotlight

As we've been discussing Web3, it's the perfect time to shine a spotlight on some of Houston's most promising Web3 founders and projects. These companies are pushing the boundaries of innovation and deserve to be on everyone's radar as they shape the future of the digital landscape. Check out my shortlist and keep an eye on their progress as they make waves in the Web3 space.

LevelField - is a financial services company that offers traditional banking, securities, and digital assets services. If you like to get involved reach out to Gene Grant III

Lucrisma - Manage all your assets in a single, tokenized virtual portfolio. Mahesh Sashital

CryptoEQ - Gain the market insights and tools you need to improve your cryptocurrency investing and trading strategies. If you like to get involved reach out to Brooks Vaughan

Fathom(x) - Trace every wallet. See your exposure. Don't lose the trace. If you like to get involved reach out to William Martin

KryptoKredit - Join the future of finance, earn credit on chain for your everyday transactions. If you like to get involved reach out to Giorgio Villani

SUNN - A vertically integrated system disrupting the outdated supply chain of food, waste, and energy as a sustainable DAO. If you like to get involved reach out to Meghan Hendley Lopez

Last week, I had the immense pleasure of attending the HTX Leadership Luncheon: Rising & Inspiring HTX Venture Capitalists. I've got to say, it was nothing short of inspiring! I want to give a massive shoutout and express my gratitude to Staci LaToison, Dr. Sunny Zhang, and Simmy Hundal for orchestrating such a phenomenal panel discussion. The key takeaway from this event is crystal clear: if we want to transform Houston into a haven for unicorns, we must actively participate in each other's startups, champion their ideas, and foster a sense of community. For instance, let's bid farewell to DocuSign and embrace the Houston-based UnicornForms instead. As members of this ecosystem, we have the power to help startups grow by making strategic introductions. In fact, that's one of the main reasons I'm writing this newsletter. If you haven't dipped your toes into the startup investment world yet, now's the perfect time to dive in. Let's focus on backing diverse and women-led founders, as they bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions to the table. Together, we can propel Houston to new heights and make our mark on the global startup scene. Remember, we're in this together, and it's up to us to make it happen!

Introducing the dynamic duo, Lucas and Roy Bouse – the masterminds behind Promo Sleeves! I had the pleasure of meeting these innovative brothers in Austin during a live podcast event where they pitched their ingenious product. The idea for Promo Sleeves was sparked during a night out when they observed friends using napkins to wrap around their beers. As seasoned entrepreneurs, they instantly recognized the potential for a sleeker alternative to flimsy napkins and bulky koozies that could double as a cost-effective marketing solution for businesses worldwide. Within just a few months, they perfected the design and production formula for PromoSleeve, and wasted no time in hitting the ground running to spread the word and make it accessible to the masses. Don't miss out on their game-changing product! Check them out at https://promosleeve.com/, and let's raise a toast to the Bouse Brothers for their innovative spirit!

A huge shoutout goes to Abloom and its visionary founder, Alicia Williams, for their well-deserved victory at the recent Houston Startup Showcase! Abloom is revolutionizing the education landscape with its AI-powered platform, specifically designed to nurture the well-being of each and every student. Passionate about making a difference in the future of education? Don't hesitate to reach out to Alicia and get involved. Let's champion the pioneers shaping a brighter tomorrow for students everywhere!