The Evolution of the Role of Web3 Project Founders and Community Building

In the Web3 world, the role of founders is undergoing a significant transformation. From purely technical experts to comprehensive project representatives, founders need to find a balance between technical capabilities, marketing skills, and community management. Recently, some emerging projects have demonstrated the importance of founders as cultural symbols of the project, attracting a large number of loyal users with their personal charisma and unique personalities, even creating a quasi-religious community atmosphere before the mainnet launch.

The Evolution of the Web3 Founder Role

The founders of early Web3 projects were often known for their technical abilities, but as the industry has developed, market insight and communication skills have become equally important. Take Gavin Wood, the founder of Polkadot, as an example; he not only has a strong technical background but also possesses excellent marketing skills. In 2018, Wood demonstrated the process of developing a blockchain in just 15 minutes at the Web3 Summit, a presentation that allowed many people without a technical background to intuitively perceive the potential of blockchain technology.

Today, the focus of competition in the Web3 field has shifted from technical narratives to large-scale commercial applications. The new generation of Web3 founders needs to accurately grasp market trends and user needs, in addition to their technical capabilities, and communicate effectively with various stakeholders. In the new wave of consumer applications, the speed and breadth of information dissemination determine the project's influence. Founders must clearly communicate the project's value and vision to attract investor attention, gain user trust, and establish solid partnerships.

Founder: The Core Power of Building Community

In the current Web3 environment, consumer narratives are becoming an important force driving industry change. Compared to traditional technology narratives, consumer narratives place greater emphasis on user needs and experiences, demanding that users be placed at the core of projects. This requires a link to connect and consolidate as many potential community users as possible.

Berachain: From NFT Community to Blockchain Network

The development history of Berachain showcases how the founders leveraged personal charisma to build a community. Co-founder Smokey initially proposed the idea of creating 100 cannabis-smoking bear NFTs in a joking manner, which quickly gained attention and support. As the community grew, members continuously added new gameplay mechanics to the NFTs, maintaining the community's vibrancy. It was during this co-building process that Smokey discovered market opportunities and decided to gradually evolve from the NFT community into a blockchain network.

Monad: Building a "Religious-style" Community

Monad has successfully taken culture and community building to the extreme. Founder Keone Hon not only emphasizes technological advantages but also advocates for true decentralization. Monad closely integrates community development with the project by introducing a free Meme culture. Through various creative activities, Monad has stimulated community member participation, allowing each member to feel their value and importance. This strong community cohesion has garnered significant market attention for Monad even before the mainnet launch.

Morph: A Pioneer in Consumer Application Fields

Cecilia Hsueh, the CEO of Morph, showcases the multifaceted nature of Web3 founders in the new era. As the only female CEO in the L2 track, Cecilia maintains a high level of activity on social media and shares industry insights and personal views through various channels. Her performance has attracted widespread attention, and she was even once suspected of being an AI-generated character. This skepticism reflects the heightened expectations people have for Web3 founders.

Cecilia's experience and Morph's positioning showcase the unique requirements of Web3 projects in the consumer application sector. As a project centered around "consumer applications," Morph needs founders who can approach from the market and user perspectives, build trust through interaction, and formulate strategies that meet actual needs. Cecilia's frequent public interactions are aimed at fostering a friendly and approachable community culture, attracting user participation and testing of the product.

Conclusion

The success of the new generation of Web3 projects relies not only on technological strength but also on a strong ecosystem and community support. Founders, as the soul of the project, play an irreplaceable role in this process. They need to balance technology, marketing, and community management, transforming complex concepts into value propositions that users can understand and identify with. As the industry continues to evolve, we look forward to seeing more innovative founders lead the Web3 revolution and drive the industry toward broader application scenarios.